Hi Everyone
I’m already 52,000 in debt (Private college). Now I’m in a state college and I have about one year left of school. However, I don’t want to take another loan. Does anyone know how to get more aid when you live in a poor state meaning no grants or state aid available to pay the additional school fees.
I’ve been applying to scholarships and I qualify for the highest amount of the pell grant. How do I get more aid?
If you are in a cheap in state college. you can get a job and work PT and study PT. That night be more the norm than you think. Look at employers that have tuition reimbursement options too. You are a chem eng major, as a junior, you should have access to plenty of internships or paid work that pays well. What state are you in?
I already work 2 part time jobs. It still isn’t enough. $9/hr just isn’t enough. Because I also have other expenses such as car notes, car insurance, etc etc. I’ve applied for internships but none have selected me yet. I’ve applied for other higher paying jobs but haven’t heard anything as of yet. 
Does your school not give you need-based aid? Other than outside scholarships, I don’t know much else that could help.
I haven’t received any. The only thing I receive was a Go grant worth $600. But tuition is 11,000 per year.I am in good academic standing so I don’t understand.
So…you take your $6000 Pell Grant and the $7500 Direct Loan. That is $13,500 and will cover $11,000 in costs.
You don’t understand what?
If you switched to a state school, it makes sense that you didn’t get merit aid, especially if you’re in a poor state. A lot of amazing students don’t get merit aid at public schools. The fact you didn’t get any institution financial aid is odd considering you got the pell grant, but that actually might be also be a reason. It leaves you with only $5,000, and they’re not expecting a senior to need room and board help.
I’m a commuter student so I wouldn’t even need room and board.
I don’t understand why i don’t get a need based scholarship or qualify for the maximum amount for the pell-grant but am not offer anything especially because I am in good academic standing.
How many semesters have you completed, including private college?
When do classes start? Ask the financial aid office if there’s a delay.
A lot of public schools don’t offer merit aid to everyone because they don’t have that much to give out. If you’re in good standing but not absolutely amazing, then it makes sense. Academic standing also doesn’t go into financial aid for a lot of schools.
You did get the maximum pell grant ($6,195). The financial aid thing is a little odd but that might just be because if they gave you any, it would likely give you a full ride.
What is your GPA? Where are you located? Louisiana? In a city?
@LolaA123 please clarify what this means?
Are you saying you have satisfied all the requirements for your biology degree, and could graduate with a bachelors now? If so, understand that many colleges aren’t going to fund you for additional coursework once you have finished your initial degree requirement.
Im in a dual degree program…not many schools offer it but essentially I attend one school and receive the basic science degree and then I transfer to another school that offers an accreditted engineering program. So essentially receiving two degrees in 5-6 years. However, you must complete both inorder to get both degrees. If you don’t you don’t receive any of them.
3.36…Baton Rouge, LA
I would suggest you take the Direct Loan if you have eligibility left. That and your Pell will pay your costs.
You made a choice to do a 5-6 year double degree program. Surely you knew the costs going in.
Just finish with the loans and get a job.
Will you even get instate rates once you are over the credit limit? Let alone FA. Or is this a particular path in your uni? Does it have a plan?
Go to the career office on campus and inquire about internships or coops that you can do at engineering firms this summer.
Poor states are funded by their taxpayers, so the dollars are very limited for their residents. It doesn’t matter what your grades are because there is a finite set of dollars. Where would the money come from???
The first person, responsible for funding, is you. Then your parents are on the hook. Your state helps you, but you are the first payer. So your options are: work, or student loans.
Those of us, who have grown up in poor families, learn to “hustle” multiple jobs to get and save money for our education. It’s not easy and it is very tough and tiring, but it makes you a better person.