<p>As a sophomore your current Pell Grant and loans will total $11,280. If your dad applies for the PLUS loan and is denied (as you believe he will be), your total in Pell Grant and loans will total $15,280. You may also qualify for some VA state aid. Check with the community colleges close to your family to see if their Cost of Attendance can include housing, meals… and transportation. I believe… others who are more knowledgeable about financial aid, please correct me… that you can borrow up to cost of attendance. </p>
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Ask for help from your Department of Social Services</p>
<p>I am going to go out on a limb here, and give unsolicited advice. You’ve had a rough go; I am ever so sorry about all that has been going on with you and your father. I know that the idea of going to a nice college and living there, having your expenses paid, getting your education is what you want, and that you have no money and things are tenuous as to where you can live. I understand that you could not afford a lot of things. The problem is that you likely cannot afford this school. </p>
<p>According to the Cost of Attendance that the school has put together, this is a $50K school. Yes, you might be able to scrimp on some of the things and bring down some of the costs, but without family support on many items, you are going to have to swing them yourself. THings that you might not think about off the top of your head that inevitably come up in life. Your tuition and fees are fixed, Some flex with room and board, but many schools do have minimum board plans they require if you room there, and you get the room assigned. You can ask for the least expensive, but how that works at this college I don’t know. You can work to get your costs as low as you can, but you do need your personal items, you may need medical care, eye exam, glasses , all just examples, but these things come up. You need books and supplies, sheets, linens, all kinds of things. Cell phone, computer are necessities these days too. So you are only going to be able to cut so much. THis is a college, not a charity ward, and I am saying this kindly. They are not running the school as a sanctuary and you are looking for one. This is a business and a college that is around because they are providing a certain standard in terms of environment, and they are not going to necessarily be generous in making sure you have what you need. It’s up to you. </p>
<p>You have a large gap between what the school is offering and that cost. Maybe some of it can be made up, but the bottom line is that even schools like Harvard when they put together a financial aid package require that the recipient, even with a zero EFC, come up with the student required contribution. If the student can’t ante it up somehow, it’s a big problem. In this case, if you get the extra Direct Loan and it may be adjusted after your transferred credits are taken into account and your father’s PLUS is dined, you can narrow the gap. Cut your expenses to the bone (though I’m telling stuff happens, and sometimes you can’t control that) and you just might be able to get it down to about a $10K gap. But you have to come up with the $10K AND you have to work to get that $1K workstudy money, AND you are taking out loans. Between last year and this, and interest, you will probably owe $25K in loans, as it appears you took full Direct loan last year including the extra you get when a parent is denied, and most of all of that is unsubsidized, AND you took some Perkins money as well. If you can work this summer and hit up some family members for some money, scrape up what you have, maybe something from your dad, and come up with $10K, yes it might work , but you’ll have to do it all over again the next year, as well as figure out where you can live and work over the summer. </p>
<p>You say you cannot afford, community college when this could be a pretty big gap here. If you can find friend or family to give you very low or no cost housing, if there is ANYWHERE you can live, the costs of going to a CC and working part time will be far less. You will likely be able to get full COA, including living expenses going to a local state school and make it work, since there will be flex and you don’t have this huge nut of tuition that a private schools costs and fixed room prices. You absolutely need to find work and figure out what your living situation can be. Using a private school and financial aid to live, is a very tenuous thing when the short fall is as much as what you have. </p>
<p>If you can get your college to reduce the gap, get the Direct Loans to reflect Sophomore Standard and get the parental deny to get more, maybe more PELL–doesn’t reflect a zero EFC, work to get make up the rest, it might be doable. But bear in mind that we are looking at a $10K gap here, and the school may refuse to make up any of it, and say it is up to you.</p>
<p>Paintgirl417 you are finding that ‘financial aid’ with your current plan is a lot of debt and there still is a gap with attending. This is not a workable deal for you to finish an undergraduate degree with a huge amount of debt, even if you can bridge the gap of $10,000/year.</p>
<p>It seems that you are ignoring the advice to pursue the lowest cost alternatives.</p>
<p>You do need to have a more immediate plan. Do you have any relatives or friends that you may find some transitional housing while you take some classes towards a degree, maybe Community College courses that you can then have time to seek lower cost college to go on to BS. Having some more stability, then continue classes.</p>
<p>When you are worrying about all these other things, how are you going to make the most of the courses you take?</p>
<p>You need some gap time. You missed deadlines for better financial options this year. Maybe taking one or two classes and work to build up some stability so you do not need to worry if you have money for food.</p>
<p>There are so many in such a huge student loan hole - we do not want that to happen to you.</p>
<p>The goals need to be for the near future - mom2ck was trying to have you be realistic on getting higher grades now by focusing on one major. If you eye is on the horizon, you are stumbing on what is right in front of you.</p>
<p>We want you to succeed. Please re-read all the advice from posters on the financial aid details and what other options you have. </p>
<p>Look at the path you can go on, not the paths that are not an option. Your confidence can be applied going down the path via public CC and in-state public college. The huge student loans will be around you the rest of your life. Ask about how much per month even one year of these loans will cost you.</p>
<p>We do not want to be ‘Debbie Downers’. There is a way for you. Sort out what will work and follow that plan.</p>
<p>I want to add that your focus on that package is on an unimportant detail; that the school funded to a different maximum than you had expected. The price of things at the school might well be going up, and I also gave you the reason why that cost is what it is, but none of that is important. More important and crucial is whether you can come up with the gap between what the school and government resources are giving you and the cost of the school. </p>
<p>Do you have any relatives who can help you (and your sister)? You mention an uncle who has POA for your dad. Perhaps he can help you.</p>
<p>You certainly can, and should, speak to the financial aid folks at your college. You will need to explain your situation in detail, particularly about your dad, and his current health…and about the homeless situation once he stops paying the rent. Also, you will need to explain about your mom.</p>
<p>You have a dad who is in a nursing home and requires total care. You have an incarcerated mom. </p>
<p>I’m no expert here…but perhaps you should also inquire about a dependency override.</p>
<p><<<
My major is Spanish Language and Literature. I will be homeless because my dad will no longer be paying rent. My dad is living in a nursing home and will be on medicaid soon because of his stroke. He can’t walk, wash himself, or take himself to the bathroom. They will take his money for his care. My sister is in the same boat as I am in. Honestly @mom2collegekids, I understand my GPA isn’t strong right now. But I don’t need negativity from people. I am looking for answers. If you can help me, fine.
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<p>Maybe I wasn’t being clear. DON’T do two majors as a premed. Your decision to do so is hurting you in two ways:</p>
<p>1) You say that you cant go to a CC because you have two majors. If you only had ONE major, you could go to a CC next year.</p>
<p>2) Trying to do two majors as a premed student is hurting your GPA.</p>
<p>You dont have the money for next year’s costs. you really have no choice. you need to take the fed aid that youd get, combine it with summer earnings and school year earnings and go to a CC…do your best and then transfer to a state school.</p>
<p>FAST FORWARD a couple of years… Do you want to look back and realize that you tried to do too much and that your GPA will keep you out of med school? If not, then be smart and pick ONE major that you like and ill do the best in. Otherwise you’re shooting yourself in the foot.</p>
<p>I asked about the dependency override. They said no. As for CC I am looking into applying to Richard Bland since that is the only school I know for sure I can attend. I can’t go to TNCC because of the classes offered for my major. I also have another problem. Once I do matriculate to an in-state school, how will I bring the costs down then. Even that isn’t realistic for me. They would still require my dads taxes to be filed. I have called numerous colleges-VCU, George Mason, JMU, ODU. Each gave me the same answer when regarding financial aid. I would be stuck each place I go. As a matter of fact I would owe upwards of $9,000 a year minus pell and federal loans I qualify for. </p>
<p>My Uncle who is the POA for my dad moved to florida 5 months ago. I have no place to live. Literally. When I come home from school I will have nowhere to live. </p>
<p>Paintgirl…your number one priority is having a roof over your head. If you can rent a room someplace near a community college, you likely can cover most of your costs with the Pell Grant, Direct Loan, and hopefully some state aid of some sort. If you rent a room someplace, that will BE your home. You can and should get a part time job to support some of your expenses. But at least you will have a place to live. </p>
<p>Rent in my area is $900- $1500 a month.</p>
<p>You do NOT need an apartment of your own. Yes, that would be nice, but you don’t have that much money. In most community college towns, folks rent rooms to students. You should look for a ROOM to rent…or a place in an apartment to share with others. Your share should be less doing so. </p>
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<p>What classes are not offered for your major at TNCC?? Which major are you talking about? </p>
<p>Why can’t you just work on ONE major if you’re premed? You don’t seem to understand my point above. I’m not saying that you cant go to med school. Im saying that you are your own worst enemy in regards to being a premed student.</p>
<p>Your number one goal is PROTECT your GPA. Do not take unneeded classes or majors or minors. </p>
<p>Next year, why would your dad have to file taxes? Will he have enough income this year that he’ll need to file? If so, wont your uncle then file for your dad?</p>
<p>Where will you be living this summer? Do talk to a minister, social worker or someone who can write the school and certify that homelessness is a real possibility unless some friends or family will step up. That may bring your package up slightly, but with that PELL number, it’s not as though your father’s finances are making a huge difference in your package.</p>
<p>The thing is, if you cannot come up with the $10K+ gap, you can’t afford to go to this school. You need to keep yourself afloat this summer and then come up with what’s needed for the fall term, for which you are about $5K short. Then in a few short months, you’ll need another $5K. Schools are businesses. They are highly unlikely to carry you when you cannot pay.</p>
<p>If you and your friends/family can come up with what’s needed to make this a go, fine. Even then it’s going to be tough, because unexpected expenses crop up. You’ll also need health insurance, for example. </p>
<p>Frankly, a major concern is that with all that is happening right now, it’s going to be a tough go to transition into a whole new school even if the finances were in place. I agree with Mom2 that having more than one major is unrealistic, especially given your goals. If you are taking classes, focus on doing very well with a single direction. Don’t make it complicated, enough is already, and for medical school and alot of master’s programs gpa is critical Having an extra major is not as important as that gpa. Other than having the required science courses for med school and other health related studies, it won’t matter what your major is. </p>
<p>If you go to school now, and are unfocused and don’t do well, it can jeopardize your future plans. You can also end up using up your government entitlement before you are in shape to take best advantage of them. So many posts we get with sad stories from those who used up the government loans and grants, going to school when so many adverse things were happening and then they dropped courses, did poorly, dropped out, and then when they managed to get it together, older and wiser, the government aid was used up, gone. So then, that meant getting that degree was bit by bit ekeing out one course whenever they could scrape together enough money to pay and taking many years to getting the Bachelor’s if ever. You don’t want to put yourself in that situation. </p>
<p>You need to look for roomshares. There others who are strapped just like you are in any area, and you have to find them. Many may be foreign students. You share a cheap room is what you do. You need to look for what opportunities are out there. I know some who lived as aides to handicapped individuals and worked their classes around their care. It took care of room and board. </p>
<p>I’m gonna offer you an answer you probably won’t like. Join the military. You will have a job, a roof over your head and food in your belly. You will also be able to attend college, after you serve 4 years, on the GI Bill or possibly while serving with tuition assistance. </p>
<p>Here is an inspiring story about a man who went from barely graduating high school to serving in the Navy. After he got out of the military he went to ODU and then on to Harvard Med. <a href=“http://blue.odu.edu/ao/news/index.php?todo=details&id=31864”>http://blue.odu.edu/ao/news/index.php?todo=details&id=31864</a>. </p>
<p>Dragonfly, I was thinking the same thing! Good advice.</p>
<p>Paintgirl, I hope you don’t feel attacked just because the mature adults here are telling you what you don’t want to hear. Some of the best minds on here have given you honest compassionate answers. Sometimes when we are emotionally invested in a situation we can’t see the logical solution.</p>
<p>I remember you because I live in VA. I’m the parent of three future college students but I had a chronically ill parent all through college so I will never forget the effect it had on me.</p>
<p>You said in February that you want to go to Hollins or Sweet Briar. Those colleges are known to be for wealthy, not very academic young ladies. If you have no money now how are you going to feel when your classmates are taking spring break trips and buying expensive cars, clothes and shoes? You want to be a MD but you are majoring in Spanish Lit and you have a low GPA? You said your family will not approve of a CC? </p>
<p>You have only completed freshman year thus far. Most admission deadlines have come and gone. You can try a school with rolling admission. Richard Bland College in Petersburg is a junior college, state run with dormitories. Your 2.9 average doesn’t qualify you for honors but you would probably be admitted there. The tuition is only about $4k like any CC in VA but the dorm and board is about $10k like most VA universities. You can transfer to state universities with the predetermined GPA. I think it’s 3.5 for UVA or W&M and 3.0 for VCU.</p>
<p>If you truly want to go to medical school major in a science track. Get an associates in biomedical science or biology. Get your grades up. If you want to abandon the med school idea and continue in the Spanish Lit major please research the prospects for a well paid career in it. The advice everyone here is telling you is to take on as little debt as possible. You will have to begin paying back your school loans soon after graduation and if you fail to pay your paycheck will be garnished. </p>
<p>I recently did the math on dorms at one state school. $7400/year for nine months is $822 a month. One could have a decent apartment with a couple of roommates for less and not become homeless during breaks and summer. FWIW in college I knew in a guy who grew up poor and was estranged from his family. He bought a $1500 trailer and lived in it during his undergrad because he could not afford the dorms. He saved everything he could for med school. </p>
<p>I really see Richard Bland as your only option. They are still taking applications for fall 2014 and it only costs $25 to apply.
<a href=“http://www.rbc.edu/admission/requirements-deadlines/”>http://www.rbc.edu/admission/requirements-deadlines/</a></p>
<p>You have an adult choice to make. Somehow get the “gap” money together and go to a private school where you will not be able to afford any “extras,” or pay realistic fees, have less stress and get your grades up for a future university. </p>
<p>edit: I see on the last page that you are looking in to Richard Bland. Good. If you can’t afford the dorm I bet they have a housing office that can find you off campus roommates. We all wish you good luck. </p>
<p>“You said your family will not approve of a CC?”</p>
<p>???</p>
<p>What family wont approve of a CC? your mom? she’s in jail so her opinion hardly matters. Your dad? He’s quite ill right now, is that correct? He’s too ill too be that concerned about a cc. besides he cant pay now, so is opinion doesn’t really matter now either.</p>
<p>At this point family approval without the funds is a moot point. Not only are they not providing funds, you say you don’t even know where you are going to be living. They are letting you worry about being homeless and you worry about what they approve of in terms of college? ???</p>
<p>I know what you are trying to do, and kudos to you if you can swing it. You are trying to get a private college with its scholarship funds and what federal/state funding you can get to take care of your living expenses and arrangements while you go to school full time. That’s a luxury for anyone, to get to go live at college and not worry about much else than getting the grades in 4-5 courses. That’s the privilege many of us parents are scraping tooth and nail to give our kids. You are trying to do it yourself without your family or you contributing anything or much. Will this college give you the money, or can you manage to get the gap covered somehow, to do this? If you can’t, then it is not an option for you, as the college is a business, bottom line, and you will not be able to continue at some points when your arrears don’t get taken care of. Then you will really be in trouble, because you won’t be allowed to go ANYWHERE until you get that cleared up. If you’ve used up too much of your entitlements, you may not be able to swing to get a degree for a long time. This is not a “maybe” situation but reality for many people who have tried to do some variation of what you are trying to do.</p>
<p>You are starting with a gap from the get go, when you should be looking at a school or situation that has a little flex in it, because you do have enormous challenges.</p>
<p>OSprey, I agree with most of what you have to tell the OP, except for the choice of major. One can get into med school with ANY major as long as the core premed courses are taken. It’s vital that the OP do very well in her courses, take those premed courses, and her major is immaterial. Given her challenges with family illness, lack of funds, lack of certainty in the very basics in her life, she should take courses that she has to take for her goal, and take it easy everywhere else but get the grades. Not much break given for grades for med schools and other health care grad programs. Gotta have those grades. No one cares if you took a double, triple major and how difficult your load was. Just that GPA> </p>
<p>I don’t need to live on campus at richard bland. I am from the petersburg area and moved to williamsburg 3 years ago.I live 5 minutes from William and Mary. I could commute from my grandmothers house in petersburg if I wanted to. However, I won’t because my 3 uncles live there and her house is too small. The total expenses would total around $12,600 for next year to complete my associates degree. My plan was to go to RBC and afterwards transfer to william and mary and then commute to school everyday. </p>
<p>You don’t need a big space to live in while you are in college. Does your grandmother’s house have a couch to sleep on?</p>