<p>Well, after my first quarter of supporting myself by working 25+ hours a week and barely making it, I realize that I need to do something to improve my financial situation. I'm borrowing the max unsubsidized Stafford loan ($5500), and that's the extent of my financial aid. I'm covering the rest, and luckily I'm not living on campus, but the cost is becoming too much to bear. Are there any other ways of paying for school? I've tried fastweb, but chances of winning one seem to be slimmer than winning the lottery. I'm looking for local scholarships, but it isn't easy since I'm already an undergrad. I'm open to any feedback, suggestions- anything. Thanks, and happy holidays.</p>
<p>sorry to hear bfired2....i thought there were a lot of scholarships available to undergraduates too =/ ....maybe you can plan what you want to do with the money you have each month...like creating a budget so that you don't overspend?</p>
<p>Try work study - if you talk to your boss / manager, he or she will set it up so you don't have to max out your hours.</p>
<p>For example, if you don't finish by the end of the term, no matter how many hours you've worked, you'll still get the cap (assuming yours is 2500).</p>
<p>That's just a possibility.</p>
<p>Well, I'm a transfer, and many scholarships are for incoming freshmen. I didn't want to have to make a budget, but I guess I'll have to now.</p>
<p>No work-study for me- my EFC is over $25,000. :/</p>
<p>bfired,</p>
<p>Your parents won't take out any loans? </p>
<p>Consider private loans (e.g. with a bank). The interest rates can be surprisingly competitive.</p>
<p>Oh, my parents are more than capable of footing the entire bill...however, since I decided to move out and not commute, I'm on my own.</p>
<p>well, I'm working over Christmas break in addition to work study. I'm aiming for 1-2k before winter quarter starts. You can also work over summer and save it up.</p>
<p>so your parents won't help out at all? =/ not even loaning you the money or something?</p>
<p>My parents are helping me out, but its not enough =/</p>
<p>They offered to loan me the money, but I'll admit, it's my pride. I don't have the best relationship with my parents and I really don't want to become dependent on them again. As a last resort, I might.</p>
<p>prove financial independance and ask for a review as an independant student.</p>
<p>is this through the financial aid office or FAFSA?</p>
<p>this is through financial aid office, this is abasiclly appealilng the status your fafsa gave you. but you have to prove financial independence.</p>
<p>this is the form </p>
<p><a href="http://www.fao.ucla.edu/forms.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.fao.ucla.edu/forms.html</a></p>
<p>(independant appeal form 200X)</p>
<p>i just read the requirments, i guess they do not apply to your situation, but you could "make" them apply.</p>
<p>Malishka,</p>
<p>It's almost impossible to prove independence as an undergrad, and it in part also hinges on what his parents do on their taxes. If he's not making enough money to support his education at UCLA without having to think of asking for money from the 'rents, he's not getting "independent" status anytime soon.</p>
<p>bfired,</p>
<p>Check out some loans with banks. You may find something that works out, and you can probably consolidate it later. To be honest, I think you're a fool for not borrowing from your parents though. The interest rate is probably much much lower.</p>
<p>well you never know, like my mom hasnt put me on her taxes since i was 18 because it was more beneficial for me to be independant for tax purposes already by that time. ... there is not harm in trying to get independece.</p>
<p>Oh, definitely no harm in trying. But bfired should not get his hopes up. I've had friends try and fail this endeavor, and what I've observed is that the number one issue is usually income. If you ain't makin' enough to pay for your own apartment, utilities, food, tuition, etc. on your own, you ain't independent for the university's purposes.</p>
<p>I think it stinks. I think independent status should be based on mitigating circumstances, not some formula. But then again, I was consistently hurt by my "dependent" status throughout undergrad.</p>
<p>I've looked into independency awhile ago and forgot how virtually impossible it is. I'm wondering about other UCLA resources for scholarships...the FAO website is abysmally lacking and pretty outdated. Borrowing from my parents is the absolute last resort. Of course, I'd rather get scholarships or grants, but if need be, I'll look into bank loans.</p>
<p>why not get a cheaper place to live :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I'm paying $550/month and I love the freedom of apartment living. It's a bit far from campus though, but that's a minor squabble. I can take comfort in knowing that it's 298525X less than the single Rieber Vista room I was offered.</p>