FAFSA um...issues

<p>Colorado State does not promise to meet need for out-of-state students who cannot afford the school. They will expect you to take loans, use your federal grants, work… and if that’s not enough, it doesn’t do anything. It’s called a “gap” and that gap can be $10K, $20K or more. That’s why you need a financial aid award: so you can see what they will give you… but we’re telling you that you absolutely cannot expect Colorado State to meet your full need as an out-of-state student or even come close. </p>

<p>Now, let me explain why waiting a year will save you tens of thousands of dollars:</p>

<p>You are old enough to establish residency apart from your parents at Colorado State but you would need to support yourself for a full year without any help from your parents including their cosign on a loan. </p>

<p>[Qualified</a> Individuals - Student Financial Services - Colorado State University](<a href=“http://sfs.colostate.edu/residency/qualifiedindividuals.aspx]Qualified”>http://sfs.colostate.edu/residency/qualifiedindividuals.aspx) </p>

<p>If you cannot meet that requirement, your residency will be your parent’s residency, so you will be considered out-of-state. </p>

<p>Note that schools do not like to change residency:
[Introduction</a> - Student Financial Services - Colorado State University: Residency](<a href=“http://sfs.colostate.edu/residency/index.aspx]Introduction”>http://sfs.colostate.edu/residency/index.aspx)</p>

<p>The difference between instate and out-of-state undergrad tuition is $8K per semester!
[Tuition</a> & Fees - Registrars Office - Colorado State University](<a href=“http://registrar.colostate.edu/students/tuitionfees/index.aspx]Tuition”>http://registrar.colostate.edu/students/tuitionfees/index.aspx)</p>

<p>PLUS, you may be able to qualify for some in-state financial aid.
[Grants</a> - Student Financial Services - Colorado State University](<a href=“http://sfs.colostate.edu/typesoffinancialaid/grants.aspx]Grants”>http://sfs.colostate.edu/typesoffinancialaid/grants.aspx)
Freshman scholarships for in-state students:
[Scholarships</a> for Incoming Colorado Resident Freshman - Student Financial Services - Colorado State University](<a href=“http://sfs.colostate.edu/scholarships/scholarshipfreshmanres.aspx]Scholarships”>http://sfs.colostate.edu/scholarships/scholarshipfreshmanres.aspx)</p>

<p>So becoming a state resident will save you at least $16K a year. </p>

<p>Here are some things you could do to establish yourself in Colorado:
[Residency</a> Requirements - Student Financial Services - Colorado State University](<a href=“http://sfs.colostate.edu/residency/instatetuition.aspx]Residency”>http://sfs.colostate.edu/residency/instatetuition.aspx)</p>

<p>residency sounds good but might not be an option. I don’t have much money to start out with. If I didn’t find a job in a few weeks I’d be screwed. I guess I didn’t explain how much money I don’t have.
I should be looking into non-college or government related aid. It’s the one area I have neglected.</p>

<p>I tend to disagree, in your case waiting a year until you are 24 is going to make a huge financial difference especially if Colorado is of interest to you. No matter where you land you’ll need to get there and find a job. In that regard Colorado is no different than any other state.</p>

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<p>I think we have a sense of the situation. I don’t think you should tap into the $5000 you and your mother have saved, she needs that to try to get back on her feet. Maybe you could take out the portion you have contributed to the account but beyond that I don’t think your mother is in a position to help you financially. That might change down the road once she gets back on her feet.</p>

<p>You are going to have to be self-made. It’s tough but I know people who have done it, although I think it is getting harder and harder. Work hard and try to get an education. You are still young and that means that a lot is possible. It’s not going to be easy and I wish you the best of luck.</p>