Financial Advice

<p>Hi there!</p>

<p>I'm looking for advice. So I am a 20 y.o college student. Not really sure what major I want to pursue. I'm also not sure where I want to go to school. All I do know is I'm stuck and need some guidance.</p>

<p>Currently, I live in CA. My parents live in SC and I take some online community college classes there for in-state tuition. Since it's usually 2 classes my parents pay for tuition. </p>

<p>My expenses are Housing, gas, food, car #1. My mother pays for car #2, tuition and, health and car insurance.</p>

<p>My problem is that my cars are not paid off. My first car my family up fronted the money and I pay them back monthly. I was 16 and in love with 80s style cars. The car came with issues and it came to the point where I could not drive it daily to work because its upkeep was becoming expensive. So my mom took out a loan to get car number 2 for me only a year or so later. The loan was for 10,000 and my mom pays some of that off every month.</p>

<p>Problems:
1. I want to start taking classes in california.
2. I want to get married. </p>

<p>As an out of state student I can't afford to take classes at CC in California. My fianc</p>

<p>You are not financially independent as you well know. When wanting to get married is a problem, it doesn’t bode well for the future. I’m not about to advise you there, as that is a very personal decision to make. </p>

<p>When you get married, yes, you will get residency, but your financial aid eligibilty will include your spouse’s income and assets. I guess the first question is whether or not the two of you can make ends meet financially with and without school in the picture. Also how much support will your parents continue to give you after you are married. </p>

<p>I suggest getting your finances in order first, and see how much your are on your on footing financially, if the gap can be made up when you get married, what aid your parents and your SO’s are willing to give, and also run some numbers in terms of EFC estimators and NPCs as to what you can expect to get for college finanacial aid.</p>

<p>That is the problem. I will not be able to progress with how I am dependent on them currently. My s.o. is great finically. She gets scholarships. And some help from parents. That would continue. </p>

<p>I only rely on my mother for my car payment. Which she pays $350 a month for. This is the only thing keeping me from finical independence.</p>

<p>You then have identified where the issue is. Car or independence? Once you get yourself in shape that way, you can then figure out what the next best steps are. Be aware that as an independent student you do have to report as income things like your parents payment for your car, car insurance, health insurance. That’s income, baby. And you also should eport that old car of yours as an asset in some situations if it is vintage and a collectible.</p>

<p>I suggest you run some numbers with your SO, and see if this is all doable.</p>