College costs $40,000 a year, I get a grant for a little more than $5,000, but I can’t take out any loans because neither I not my mother has a credit score. My mother has a disability and gets less than $13,000 a year.
So even if I work hard and have all the requirements to get into a good college I can only go to a CUNY college?
It depends upon which colleges you apply and are accepted to. Different colleges give vastly different levels of aid.At your income level you may qualify for a lot more than 5k grant. If you are a rising jr or sr you can get some help searching here if you give your ‘stats’.
You can take your student loan without good credit. Parent Plus loans don’t depend on your credit score, just having no bankruptcy or late payments. But it isn’t a good idea to borrow 35k per year, so you are sort of saved from that because if you did you wouldn’t be able to repay that.
You need to tell us more. I think you’re a rising senior.
What are your stats? What schools are on your list?
Some may give you a LOT more aid than just a small Pell grant.
Do you have a non-custodial parent? If so, will he help with college costs? If he is alive, then some of the top schools that give the best aid will look at his income as well.
If you have strong stats, then there are also schools that will give you large merit for your stats.
What is your major and career goal.
We can help you. You may have other choices.
Working hard is what you are supposed to be doing. If you can go to and attend a CUNY at no out of pocket cost to you, that is an excellent reward for your hard work. Many students don’t have that option.
I’m not sure I get “ONLY CUNY”-- as though someone owes you more??
SUNY schools are far less than $40K, even with room and board, if you’re a NYS resident.
Aside from the validity of your conclusion, I don’t get where the irony is.
So, shoot for CUNY Macaulay’s Honors, where you will go for free!! What is your GPA? What are your CR + Math SAT scores? They may show that some of the CUNY schools; Hunter, Baruch, CIty, Queens, etc may not be the lock that you think they are.
Don’t turn your nose up at CUNY, because you need a financial safety.
@sybbie719 if there is a SUNY within commuting distance of this student…would the Pell, TAP and Direct Loan cover the costs to attend?
The only SUNY school in NYC is FIT. While one can “commute” to Stony Brook, it is a very expensive commute (MTA to Penn Station, LIRR to Stony Brook, getting from train station to school).
Even with Tap, PELL and direct loans, there will still be a small gap (~2.5k) if student plans on living in the dorms for the direct cost. One of the things that OP needs to do now, it get a part time job and start banking some $$.
@Thumper1, a NYS resident with a 0 EFC can get a ~$5k Pell grant, a ~$5k TAP (state tuition assistance grant), and the $5500 federal student loan. SUNY tuition to 4-year schools is only $8k, so it’s definitely enough for a commuter. Kids who can work a few days/week during the year and full-time in the summer can afford to dorm.
How much do you have saved from your summer job?
Really depends on how great your stats are. If you are a top student with high test scores, you could look at universities that meet full need. Of course, these are very, very difficult to get into so they can feel more like playing the lottery. As another has mentioned, you could look at schools with high merit too (some can offer full tuition!)
You’ll be able to take out a student direct loan up to 5500 freshman year through the government if you file the FAFSA. You don’t need a credit score for that. If your mom gets rejected for a parent plus loan, I believe that’s another 4K you could take out in your name. I know little about the Pell program but I believe there is a loan option in there too if you qualify. I’m not suggesting you take out all that money but that is an option for a student who won’t have access to private loans.
Students work hard and go to Cuny’s and other state schools every day. It’s not unusual for kids your age to turn their nose up at local universities but it’s a really big mistake. You aren’t better than these schools and with your financial situation, you really need to start looking at them with fresh, unbiased eyes.