<p>Hi! I don't post up here very much (even though I'm seeing how useful this site is so I'm sure I'll start) but I have a question that is kind of freaking me out. I would greatly appreciate any advice that could be given.</p>
<p>So, I decided to go online today and check on my bill. I'm a 19 year old out-of-state student from VA transferring to Temple University, which is in PA (just in case some of you didn't know). Based on my FAFSA they offered me a financial aid package that includes a Pell Grant, Workstudy, Perkins Loan, S.E.O.G. Grant, Temple U Grant, a Subsidized Loan, and an Unsubsidized loan. The total amounts to 10,050.00 per semester.</p>
<p>Now, I am extremely grateful for that package, because heaven knows that I'm so poor I don't have a ketchup packet to my name. But, when I went to check my bill, it said that my total was 11,196.00, even though my tuition deposit and housing deposit (which I put towards my bill since they ran out of housing) took away 450.00 of it, so it's down to 10,746.00.</p>
<p>I know that the out of pocket money isn't much compared to what people who don't even qualify for aid have to come up with, but I don't have enough saved to do it. On top of that I have to pay my rent, which is around 450 a month (I lucked out with THAT at least). My job as a server didn't work out since the restaurant, which is opening a month late, won't even open until this weekend, and then I'll only have two weeks to work before I'm moving to Philly (I'm moving August 1st). I hope to find a job ASAP when I get up there since school doesn't even start until the 30th and maybe I'll be able to make something to contribute until then. If I find a job (part time) I intend to work during school. I have 17 semester hours this coming fall...I'm really just trying to give as much info as possible.</p>
<p>My mother's a recently released felon and my father's never been in the picture. My grandparents are retired and are already having to raise my 4 year old brother. I literally have no one to ask for help (and honestly, I don't want to). Basically my question is...should I take out another loan? Would it be rude for me to ask financial aid if there was some way I could take more work study or loans or SOMETHING to cover that last little bit? I'm just worried that the Fall 2010 semester will start and I won't be enrolled. Oh, and that i'll be homeless since I also have to worry about rent.</p>
<p>How are you going to take out “another loan” in your name?</p>
<p>Temple is a public university in Pennsylvania. You are paying as an out of state student. The aid you got from Temple was generous considering you are not from within the state. The amount left is just about the difference between instate costs and out of state costs. </p>
<p>How did you think you were going to be able to pay the $10,000 or so that you owe Temple? Or are you only asking about the $450 difference?</p>
<p>If you have the $10K and need the $450…call Temple and see if they will work out a short term loan or payment plan for you. If you’re talking about the whole $10,000…hmm…I’m not sure what to say. Most public schools do not meet the full need of all of their in state students…never mind out of state students.</p>
<p>From the gross amount of the FA award, it sounds as if you’re classified as a dependent student…it that right? It seems that you would qualify as independent due to your mother’s incarceration. You probably need to call the FA office and ask for their advice on this.</p>
<p>But keep in mind that Temple does NOT guarantee to meet full need and especially for OOS students. Even being an independent student might NOT increase this student’s award.</p>
<p>Well, it may not but I think it probably would since independent students have higher Stafford loan limits…although that’s not a great thing either!:)</p>
<p>Why on earth would someone from Virginia be going to school in PA when that person needs a lot of aid? Your tuition and living expenses are far lower in VA than in Philly. You also have more of a chance of getting aid there. This may well be an ongoing issue for you as PA is not your home state. Where did you go to school before transferring?</p>
<p>According to other threads, this student went to Tidewater Community College in VA. The only VA school she was REALLY interested in was VCU. Don’t know if she applied there or not.</p>
<p>The types of aid she received from Temple would have covered costs as an instate student in Virginia at one of the MANY public universities in that state. I understand wanting to go out of state, but if the money isn’t there, and this person is facing not having housing and the like…I would say…time to reconsider that decision.</p>
<p>To the OP…is there some adult you can go to for guidance…a school counselor or advisor, a clergyman, an aunt or uncle, parents of a close friend? You need some adult to help you with this…an in person adult…not just an online forum. </p>
<p>You need to check to see what kinds of aid are available to you in Virginia…for students in your situation. You can check with the financial aid folks at Temple too…explain your situation. BUT remember, their first responsibility is to the residents of Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>Sorry I didn’t clarify myself or that I haven’t responded sooner. FINALLY got a chance to use a computer. :)</p>
<p>Alright, first off, I do not need extra aid for the out-of-pocket tuition. I can handle that myself. What I need money for is my off-campus housing. I was asking this question because I didn’t know if it would be better to try and see if the school could up something on my package or if it would be better to just go ahead and try to get a private loan. And to the person who asked yes, I am an Independent Student. Sorry I wasn’t clearer before.</p>
<p>Now, to who asked why would I go out-of-state if I can’t afford it? Because it’s where I wanted to go. No, I don’t mind taking out loans that will probably take a good ten (if I’m lucky) years to pay off. No, it doesn’t bother me that I won’t be able to get out of college without owing anything, and I don’t know of many people who have, give or take a few full riders. I’ve had some pretty crappy hands in my life (as I’m sure most of you have had as well) and going to this school, getting into a city and being able to live my own life away from the burdens of here is refreshing. Yes, with finances I’m going to have my own set of problems. It’s going to be difficult. But you only get one life to live and it’s what I want. Temple may not be Harvard, Princeton or any other ivy league where people would see being in debt worth it, but this is worth it to me. I don’t expect anyone to understand that, but you asked so there’s my reason (and if I came off rude, I’m sorry. I’m really not trying to be.)</p>
<p>The poster above me was right, however. VCU WAS my first choice…and then a series of incidents happened with their admissions staff and it was just ridiculous. I won’t go into detail. Also, while in-state tuition is cheaper, it’s not by as much as you are all thinking, especially with all of the percentage increases we’re getting down here in VA. So don’t get too excited. :P</p>
<p>I really do appreciate all the responses. It was nice to get the feedback, but I’m pretty sure with what I’m going to do now. :)</p>
<p>Go to the financial aid office at Temple and see if you can work with them to get the last little bit of money that you need. Don’t take out another independent loan if you can avoid it, it isn’t very much more money that you need and another loan will have its own fees attached to it.</p>
<p>Then work your butt off. Work as many hours at a job as you can and live frugally so you can establish some financial cushion. Do your best to keep up with your classes, you’ll get discouraged at times but never give up. It’s going to be extra hard for you because you’re on your own. You’re paying for your own education and your own living expenses, it will be a lot harder for you than for kids who have the parental support that you don’t have.</p>
<p>Do whatever you have to do to stay in school. It’s your ticket to a life that is better than your mother’s. Never give up, you can do this. Your attitude is great.</p>
<p>I understand your reasoning, 4ever, and it sounds as if you’ve thought it through…I’m sure you absolutely do need and deserve a “fresh start” on life! Best of luck to you and I hope you will find some caring people at Temple who can advise you on the best course of action for your situation!</p>
<p>*
Now, to who asked why would I go out-of-state if I can’t afford it? Because it’s where I wanted to go.*</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but that’s not a good enough reason to plan on going where it’s not affordable. Money isn’t going to fall from the sky. </p>
<p>*What I need money for is my off-campus housing. *</p>
<p>I doubt an OOS public is going to give you increased aid to pay for your housing (and I guess, meal plan). Most public schools just don’t have that kind of money. </p>
<p>I doubt you’re going to be able to get a private loan. I just don’t see how this school is do-able.</p>
<p>Go get an appointment at the financial aid office.
Explain your situation and ask them to check if there’s any other grants and scholarships available(even if you know there isn’t). And also ask them to check for any loans without a co-signer.</p>
<p>That’s what I did, and she said she’ll look into it. A week later my financial aid lady called me back with a lender and direct url to the apps and saying I have to finish it within 48 hour time frame cause it’s time sensitive and that she spoke to the lender on the phone for it. Then Mid-semester I got a call from my financial lady again saying she looked over the budget and was able to increase my seog.</p>
<p>The financial aid officers are there to help and be on your side so make an appointment and see what results you get.</p>
<p>I checked my loan rate yesterday for the first time(I thought it would be high and never looked at it) and it’s 5.910%! I’m using this lender again. I decided to googled it and it turns out to be “nonprofit organization that helps ***** students and families obtain the resources necessary to succeed in postsecondary education.” It’s lender partners with 18 local banks.
I’ve done tons of googling for private loans and private loans for the state before and this never shows up so I think financial aid offices get connections to these so that only people with financial need and come for help would have the resources there.</p>
<p>I go to a private university where I knew I would have financial problems but it was my dream college but I still went for it so I understand why you’re taking the risk. Heck, I maxed out my only credit card to fix my car and pay $300 in gas to get to this school.
“Temple may not be Harvard, Princeton or any other ivy league where people would see being in debt worth it, but this is worth it to me. I don’t expect anyone to understand that, but you asked so there’s my reason (and if I came off rude, I’m sorry. I’m really not trying to be.)”
I totally understand you here, mine isn’t also but I would rather go here than any ivy league.</p>
<p>*I blank out what State I’m schooling in. Internet privacy.</p>
<p>Can you postpone moving since school won’t begin until the end of August? I mean, you have a job where you are and you’ll just be hoping to get one when you move. Why not stay and work where you are as long as you can? Even if you’re paying rent at your new place for a few weeks when you’re not there, you’d be paying it anyway, but without the sure job.</p>
<p>I don’t know… maybe I’m not understanding your situation. It’s not much money you’re short, right?</p>
<p>Wow, I am worried for OP. There are always all sorts of unexpected expenses. The only thing I can think of would be to make sure you have/get an appropriate food handlers card from the moment you arrive – and work in the most upscale restaurant/bar that you can (so the tips will be decent). You might also ask the landlord if you can clean other apartments in exchange for the first month’s rent. Tell him/her that you are a real go getter and problem solver and you’d love to help out getting apartments ready for the fall influx. </p>
<p>If it is in your skill set, you might put up some signs/cards for childcare or eldercare. Sometimes care providers poop out at the end of the summer and a pair of parents are desperate for a nanny/granny sitter for the last few weeks of August. </p>
<p>LAstly, check with the college billing office. Maybe you can pay the difference out over the semester (ie, fifty bucks a week until December sort of thing). That would give you more time to come up with the dollars.</p>
<p>Private schools can sometimes provide help to their students that public schools simply are unable to provide. While it is a good idea to speak directly with a financial aid officer at Temple, please do not expect that this person will be able to provide any more money. The aid package includes everything available, it seems to me. Other that that, you will most likely be pointed in the direction of private loans … or in the direction of the Business Office, to work out a payment plan.</p>
<p>Yes, since Temple is a public U, it’s doubtful that it even has the money to give. People just don’t understand that most public U’s do not have the endowments/funds to be giving out. Publics rely heavily on the (very small) federal aid programs that available and maybe some state funds (if available). They don’t have their own treasure chest to draw from when kids are in financial trouble.</p>
<p>^Temple had an endowment of $210M at the end of 2009, down from $237M a year earlier. Nacubo ranked it’s endowment at 222 out of 864 schools, well above that of many private institutions. Of the top 100 endowments, it looks like roughly 30% are held by public schools…although that still doesn’t mean they’re necessarily generous with grant aid! What some of these schools do with that money is, frankly, a mystery to me! I don’t know anything specific about Temple, but College Board lists a fairly high number (91%) as the average percent of need met and also indicates that about 35% of those with need had their full need met. </p>
<p>That endowment may be a bit misleading since I think Temple has a med school. I believe that schools with med schools often do have large endowments, but that doesn’t mean that the money is available to give away to undergrads.</p>
<p>As for what schools do with their endowments…they typically will not spend the endowment and only will spend part of the gain that is made each year. </p>
<p>*but College Board lists a fairly high number (91%) as the average percent of need met and also indicates that about 35% of those with need had their full need met. *</p>
<p>Those 35% are probably mostly instate students who have a low COA and can have their need met with a student loan and work-study (and maybe some scholarship money).</p>
<p>Yes, I know in general what endowments are used for and that most of the capital is preserved. But Temple does seem to feel that providing student aid is a priority and is campaigning for endowment funds on that basis:</p>
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</p>
<p>Twenty five percent of their students come from OOS, so that would skew the numbers considerably it would seem if they did not provide any aid to non-PA residents. Since the OP posted that she received a university grant, we know that they do have resources available…the question is can she possibly tap into a larger grant by making a personal appeal?</p>
<p>Since the OP posted that she received a university grant, we know that they do have resources available…</p>
<p>Based on my FAFSA they offered me a financial aid package that includes a Pell Grant, Workstudy, Perkins Loan, S.E.O.G. Grant, Temple U Grant, a Subsidized Loan, and an Unsubsidized loan. The total amounts to 10,050.00 per semester.</p>
<p>Yes, the student did get some university funds…I wonder if it’s a grant or a scholarship. Either way, the Temple money doesn’t sound like a lot of money when you subtract Full Pell ($5500), full independent student loans (about $9500), SEOG (about 750), Perkins loan ($1500?? maybe), and work study (maybe another $1500). I’m figuring that the FA without the Temple Grant, the student’s aid is about $18,800. </p>
<p>Since he’s only getting $20,100 total, when you subtract the above amount of about $18,800, then that sounds like the university only gave him a paltry $1000…hardly an amount that suggest that the school will be forthcoming with more funds. </p>
<p>however, my math may be wrong, but I still don’t see how the university grant was of anything significant considering all the sources he got other funding. It sounds like the university grant may have been a dept grant since it was so low.</p>