My tuition for this year amounts to 50k.
I only have one working parent who is 30k in debt. They make only about 70k a year.
On top of that, they’re recovering from ilnessl, and have to go to the doctors every six months.
My other parent is unemployed, and we live in an apartment.
I have another sibling, and recently our rent has gone up.
We only have about 100 for food and necessities every month.
I got a need based scholarship, which is great! But I only got 5,000.
I’m really confused, I thought need based scholarships were supposed to be a bit more generous?
I don’t know how they still expect me to pay 45k. . . . . . my parent can’t just give away their whole paycheck or take on more debt for the sake of my education 
It all depends on the school. Some schools are more generous than others. Either your school is one of the less generous with need-based aid, or for some reason they misunderstand your family’s financial situation. Also: if the $30k in debt is consumer debt, it will not be a factor in need-based aid decisions. Medical debt may be a different story, depending on the circumstances.
Is this an art academy you mention in another thread? It sounds like the school you are trying to fund does NOT meet need. You are being gapped. This school is unaffordable for you. Did you get into any other schools?
@“Erin’s Dad” yes, this is the one. I did get into other schools, however this is my top school. I already confirmed my spot in there and put in a housing deposit.
@BelknapPoint Ah I see. What do you suggest I do? Should I inquire about it with the school? And perhaps inquire with my mother about the debt? We sent in supporting documents to show for our need.
If your school doesn’t have the money to meet your need, you can’t afford this school.
Schools really don’t give full rides.
@“aunt bea” I understand that in theory I can’t afford this school, but I don’t think any of the schools nowadays aside from community colleges are particularly “affordable”. I doubt that there are many students that can afford 50k schools, what with the average nation income being approximately $53,657.
I’m not asking for a full ride, I just thought I’d get something a little more substantial so that I could have a job and pay the rest off while in school. I’m the first child in my family to go to college, so this is all new to me, and I don’t know if I should be surprised or not.
I really just want to know what I should do from here. If this is a normal thing, if people don’t usually get substantial amounts, then I’ll leave it be, or perhaps hunt for more scholarships? Get payment plans? Take on a loan? But if this isn’t in the norm, should I Inquire with the school?
It may sound normal if you read all the sensationalized news stories, but the truth is that taking on that kind of debt is not the norm. Why? Bc most people realize it is a mistake. You need to look for other schools.
What degree is it you were planning to pursue at that school?
What state do you live in? Not all schools cost $60,000/year. Many state U’s are $25k with room and board. A directional college may be a little less and possibly within commuting distance which would save $12-13,000 in room and board.
Why did you confirm a spot and send a deposit to a school that is UNAFFORDABLE?
You will need to take in excess of $40,000 a year in loans to attend this place. You, the student, can only borrow $5500 for your freshman year. Your in debt parent would need to apply for or cosign for additional loans.
In addition, it sounds like your parent also has some health concerns.
This schools is not affordable. It’s just not. It doesn’t matter if it’s your top choice. You can’t go there if you can’t pay the costs to attend.
And there are TONS of students…tons…who go to colleges that cost far less than $50,000 a year. Many also have to make the same choice as you. They need to pick based on what they can pay.
How do you plan to get the money for these costs? Your parent is in debt,mand might not even qualify for a loan. And if the oarent qualifies this year for a $45,000 loan…what makes you think this will happen again, and again and again for the remaining years.
This is apparently the norm for this particular school.
Time to move on to a more realistic option.
If any part of your deposit is refundable, ask for a refund. You have to move on and select a school that is an affordable option for your family. If one parent is unemployed , you have debt, your family has a budget of $100 a month to eat , you live in an apartment and there will be on med expenses for an ill family member. In what world is it a good idea to have your parents consign for almost 200k, which depending on what part of the country you live in can purchase a very nice house. To even remotely think about them having take on debt is Selfish on your part and a disaster waiting to happen to York family.
How many weeks at that school could you last before you are forced to drop out and your family is stuck for crippling debt? And in that likely outcome that financial disaster doesn’t yield you a degree so it is a lose lose.
Why do kids believe that they’re going to attend a school and deposit, when the facts show that a school is clearly unaffordable??
You’re in Calif. If you qualify for a Cal Grant, then a CSU’s or a UC’s tuition would be FREE! If you’ve been accepted by a UC, then your tuition would be free since your family earns less than $80.
Which schools have accepted you?
You’re mistaken about what other kids do. Most kids in the US commute to a local college because there’s not enough money for them to go to the school of their choice.
Art schools are notoriously expensive and have little aid to give. Typically, students whose families have money go to those schools.
OP, what is your home state? We might be able to make a recommendation that is more workable.
<<<
this is a normal thing, if people don’t usually get substantial amounts, then I’ll leave it be, or perhaps hunt for more scholarships? Get payment plans? Take on a loan? But if this isn’t in the norm, should I Inquire with the school?
[QUOTE=""]
[/QUOTE]
You can try, but doubtful that you’d get the needed scholarships. You need to move on.
“payment plans” You need to look at this intelligently. If you took the amount that is needed, and divided it by 10 monthly payments, you could not come up with enough money to make the payments.
Do you know what happens to students who try that and then can’t make the payments? They drop out, and then because they STILL owe the money, they aren’t allowed to enroll anywhere else until all the debt is paid. They often never get to finish their education.
You live in CA, your family has debt, you have one unemployed parent and the one who is working has a longterm illness, you have a sibling who will probably want to go to college, and your parents are struggling to meet current living expenses. That’s a tough set of circumstances.
You can’t afford this school. Your parents can’t afford this school. Did you qualify for Pell or any state grants or is your only funding source the guaranteed federal student loan (~$5500/year)? The amount of aid you received will determine your options. You can’t afford to take on debt for art school.
I was in a similar situation at your age (one disabled parent and one working parent with no retirement other than social security due to the unexpected disability) so I understand where you’re coming from. Doing the responsible thing can be very difficult, especially when the circumstances of friends and classmates are so different. But it’s important to make business decisions with your head, not your heart. Withdraw your acceptance from this college and develop a reasonable Plan B. Have you been accepted to any affordable colleges? Are there any within commuting distance of your home? Can you start at a cc?
Let us know what choices are available and their net costs (tuition, books, fees, room & board) - (grants, scholarships) and we’ll help you find an affordable option.
That amount of debt is absurd. Especially in CA where CCs are nearly free. You really should find another path.
What CCCs in SoCal have good art programs? There must be some.
Lots do…off-hand I know that Fullerton College and Santa Barbara do. But, certainly many more than that. Likely the one that this student can commute to does.
If this student qualifies for a cal Grant, then tuition is free at a CC, CSU, or UC
It’s a specialty private school, and they accept little, so I’m honored just to be accepted.
I have many friends in UC Berkley who paid for their 30k tuitions by continuously sending in scholarships. I have many friends who have taken on huge loans etc.
Many people in my school are planning to doing this too. I do not know a single soul who is able to fully pay for their tuition in a UC, Cal State, or Private.
All schools are clearly unaffordable for most with tuition raking up to 30-50k a year.
I checked the list and this school is not under Cal Grants.
The school does accept Federal Pell Grant, Federal SEOG Grant, Other scholarships, and “Grants from your state” whatever that means considering it’s not listed under cal grants.