<p>My FAFSA had to be verified by UGA today so they don't have my official info yet, but I did come out to an EFC of zero.</p>
<p>UGA is about 2 and a half hours away from me and of course requires students to live on campus. My main problem is that my mom wants me to live at home and attend one of the private schools here. They offer great scholarships and she doesn't have to deal with trying to pay housing or meal plans, which she can't afford. She has already told me that if I leave home, she won't contribute to any of my college costs whether she's able to or not. My parents are divorced and although my dad would love to help me out with the cost, he's not doing well financially and isn't able to do so.</p>
<p>I'm the first to go to college besides my dad who is currently attending a technical school. That being said, my parents are Mexican and they don't understand why I would want to leave for school. This is another reason I think my mom doesn't want me to leave town. Everyone she knows lives with their parents and works to go to one of the local community schools here. This is obviously not what I want to do, and I really do have my heart set on UGA.</p>
<p>I'm really worried about how i'll be able to cover the costs of housing, food, books, and all other living expenses. I'm eligible for the Zell Miller Scholarship in Georgia which should cover most of tuition from what I've read and I'm hoping to receive Pell ($5500). Scholarships are a lot more complicated than I thought [but I'm trying], and although I'm hoping to get a job this summer, I don't want to get a job during the school year unless it's work-study. I want to focus on school, but I know money will always be a problem.</p>
<p>How can I fill that gap in costs and will my EFC of 0 really help me at UGA? Any advice about my parents?</p>
<p>Congratulations on getting the Zell Miller. You seem like a good candidate for some of the combination need/merit scholarship especially the Goizueta Foundation ones.They have a March 20th deadline so get that application in if you haven’t already.</p>
<p>With hard work and smart planning, I think you can make UGA work. The first year is the hardest with on-campus housing. The all-inclusive meal plan is also expensive. There are cheaper dorms and they almost always have jobs available in the dining halls. I have also known several girls who were Resident Advisor from second year on which I believe gives you a free room to yourself. Most people move off-campus second year and there is quite a range of reasonable housing in Athens. If you have good AP scores, UGA is generous with credit so you may be able to graduate in 3 to 3.5 years. If you are determined and willing to sacrifice, I believe you can go to UGA. It would also work well to live at home at first and later transfer to UGA.</p>
<p>mom2, Zell is better than HOPE. HOPE was cut back last year, due to funding problems (demand for HOPE was outstripping the lottery revenue). The Zell Miller was introduced for top students (GPA 7.5 or better, generally), and still pays 100% tuition, while HOPE now pays 90% or less, depending on funds.</p>
<p>I verified the FAFSA electronically today so I hope they send my information soon.
I am planning to get a job this summer so that will help. </p>
<p>Are student fees and tuition charged separately? They’re often grouped together as far as I know. Zell Miller will cover tuition, but will that include the fees for things like the available student centers?</p>
<p>Unfortunately Zell Miller only covers tuition but if tuition is increased, it still covers the whole amount. As weatherga points out HOPE will only cover 90% so those students will have an increase when tuition rises. You are on a very tight budget, so spend some time on the GA 411 site and UGA site trying to see your costs and where you can economize. One tip, Zell Miller is evaluated at 30 hour in the spring, so you want to make sure you have the 3.3 to keep it.</p>
<p>I really recommend you contact the Financial Aid office at UGA. They may have resources for you, since you are an URM and first generation that go beyond Zell Miller.</p>
<p>[University</a> of Georgia: Office of the Vice President for Instruction<a href=“ask%20about%20this”>/url</a></p>
<p>I agree…If the student submitted FAFSA early, then it’s very possible he’ll get full Pell, AND some supplemental fed grants (SEOG?? or something else), Stafford and Perkins, and work study.</p>
<p>And, if the student works over the summer to pay for books (buy online) and dorm things (and set aside some savings), he should have enough.</p>
<p>My friends whose children use the Zell Miller report that they are spending between 12-14 thousand a year additionally. Can what you listed cover that?</p>
<p>thanks for the scholarship links, i’m trying to check out as many as i can!
i haven’t gotten any feedback from my fafsa yet, so i hope that gets in soon so I can contact uga while they have more information about my situation.</p>
<p>another question - am I counted as a first generation student if my dad is currently attending a technical school? he’s 40 though and got his ged a few years back if that matters.</p>
<p>lastminutemom196 quote:
My friends whose children use the Zell Miller report that they are spending between 12-14 thousand a year additionally. Can what you listed cover that?</p>
<p>===========</p>
<p>That sounds high…are these kids in frats or sororities? I wouldn’t think that someone on a budget needs to spend that much more…unless pricier dorms and such are being chosen.</p>
<pre><code>Once instate tuition is paid for…
</code></pre>
<p>Room and board …8700</p>
<h2>books…1000</h2>
<p>Basic costs should be about 10,000</p>
<p>That could be covered with a Pell Grant and a student loan. Work-study and a summer job could cover personal expenses and misc.</p>
<p>Zell Miller doesn’t cover fees – and in some cases doesn’t cover all tuition. ZM covers about 8 thousand a year, UGA tuition and fees. Actually based on this chart, ZM covers about 7200 a year. UGA tuition and fees are about 9500 a year. With room and board this comes to close to 20 K. Backing out the ZM, you get somewhere between 11-12 with books and incidentals. I suspect that some parents are paying a bit more because they aren’t paying some tuition.</p>
<p>I am glad to hear that Pell etc can cover most of these costs. GA got “recognized” last year for being one worst states to be a poor college student in. </p>
<p>Additional changes are coming to HOPE, though not for the 2012 school year as it is an election year. The lottery is not keeping up with the demands for HOPE.</p>