We have done all of the financial aid stuff, and with an EFC of 0 and a decent amount of scholarships, grants, and loans, we will be able to get my daughter through her first year of college. It’s a non-expensive (as universities go), in-state school and she already has done two years at the community college (Running Start - dual credit, free college credits). She’s running out of classes she can take at the community college.
So, the question is, is there a way to get funds for all of the fees and other expenses? With taxes due in the next few weeks, plus registration fees and housing deposits, and the expense of a dorm and travel for orientation, we can’t do it all. Actually, beyond paying our taxes, we can’t do anything.
Is there a fund somewhere that helps with these kinds of things?
I had this problem (we were strapped for cash and the enrollment and housing deposits totalled close to $700) when my daughter was first enrolling at college in Richmond. In that case we called and were able to negotiate them putting some of the initial fees onto her student bill, but in that case it was just postponing it so that we could pay it from financial aid funds when those were arrived.
I know that there are some private schools that are well-heeled and more flexible but honestly the only thing I can
If your daughter can’t even afford traveling to college for orientation will she able to last at this school? Many dorms kick out the student during breaks like Christmas break and the like. you may be able to work out some kind of deal with some schools for fees but if she can’t get to and from the school that might be a huge problem both now and down the road.
Melanie…I think the term “kick out of the dorms” is a bit harsh. The college dorms are closed during the Christmas holiday break…and most students travel home. Plus by December, this stusent will have her financial aid money, plus may even have earned some money through a work study job. And it is also possible she can carpool with other students to get home.
To the OP…contact the college.
And also, this might be the time for extended family to give birthday or graduation money to your student as she gets ready for college.
Fair enough. I just remember that at my daughter’s dorm she had to be out of the dorm by a certain time no exceptions for breaks and summer. I didn’t mention that as a complaint – I would not expect Resident Advisers, house cleaning staff, etc. to give up their holidays to stay in the dorm with a straggler – only to point out that there are times when the college student may have to come home to travel home so it is worth thinking about now. Many campuses have programs like Zimrides that may work, but if the student has to fly home or take a train that might be something worth thinking about.
I love the idea of using birthday or graduation money for this purpose if thus available. the student can get a job later but the up front costs of driving towards the college campus for orientation and fall move-in can’t wait.
My daughter once stayed in dorms over winter break–at her college they keep one open for international students, just fyi. But yes, usually you have to travel home winter break and end of term.
I know deposits will have to be paid soon, but hopefully you will have all FA packages in soon and only have to deposit at one school, where she plans to attend. Like others suggested contact the college to see what they might be able to do.
As for orientation that should be in the summer, so maybe your daughter could get a parttime job now, even if it’s just on the weekend and save up for some of that.
Some local organizations also have smaller scholarships which might help with books and travel costs, she should ask her GC at her high school. But any she is awarded will have to be reported to the school and depending on their FA poicy might or might not reduce need-based grants.
At this point we are only looking at one school. She had a very clear list of priorities, and was accepted to her #2 choice. As soon as that happened, we simply dropped the rest of them. However, the timing is terrible, with taxes and all of these fees due all at once, plus prom and graduation coming up so soon.
As between getting things in place for college vs. prom costs, I’d think the priorities should be clear, but to each his own…
Since this is just a timing issue, are you in a position to take out a small bank loan now that you could pay back in a few months, or that your D could pay back with summer job earnings? The loan interest on the kind of costs you have in mind would be pretty manageable for that amount of time.
Many schools, including publics, will waive enrollment deposits and housing deposits for Pell students. Since your child has an EFC 0, did she use fee waivers for her apps?
Either way, contact the school and ask if fees can be waived since she is a 0 EFC student.
Are you talking about property taxes or income taxes? If it’s the IRS see if you can work out a payment plan? Ideally you shouldn’t owe, especially with a lower income, check your withholding, a little more taken out every pay is better than owing a lot at once imo. http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/IRS-Withholding-Calculator
If it’s self employment income that’s the issue you should make estimated quarterly payments during the year.
My daughter just got a parttime job, she only works 15 hrs or so, but makes about $100 a week.
That helps out, she will pay for her own prom gown and for graduation we just had to pay for cap/gown now, we will have a party for her later this summer.
We talked about her getting a part time job, but she can’t find one that will work with her insane schedule. Summer job employers want students to start working full days in late May, when the tourists arrive (we live in a high-tourism area), but school doesn’t get out until mid-June. Then she has orientation for college and ROTC “mini-boot camp” before school stars in mid-August.
Regarding taxes, my husband screwed up when he filled out his withholding last year, then never noticed when they withheld NOTHING. It’s not the end of the world, but we had always either broken even or got money back in the past. We hadn’t saved for income taxes. Property taxes - not much we can do about that.