<p>Hi, I'm currently a freshmen attending the University of Pittsburgh, and I pay for what isn't covered by my financial aid by installments. I have about $1800 or so left to pay and my parents have cut me off. We never really got along that well and my dad cut me off because he doesn't like my major choice etc, and i've told myself i'm not going to let anyone choose my major but, myself. I'm not going to do something my heart isn't in. Anyway, I have to find a way to pay this $1800. I'm flat broke, and my next installment is the first of next month. I've tried to get a loan by myself but, all of them require a cosigner (which my parents won't do either) so I feel like I'm stuck. Any ideas on how I can get through the rest of the semester? (After this semester I should be decent financially because I'll be commuting and saving money that way so I won't need anything extra, I really just need to get through these next 2 months. )</p>
<p>Go talk to a financial aid counselor at your school. Call your grandparents. Get a job, if you don’t already have one. Appeal to your mom, if you’re on better terms with her and she has more sense than your dad seems to. (Imo, it’s kind of rotten to cut your own kid off mid-semester because just you don’t like their major!)</p>
<p>Thanks for your response sk8rmom. My grandparents have already helped me out as much as they can, my grandmother paid $4000 last semester for me to be able to go (this was before my parents were helping to pay anything at all) when I finally got them to help it was on a month to month basis, I’ve been stressing every month just wondering if he was actually going to pay for it. I really don’t have any family members that are willing/able to help me out. And I already have a part-time job that doesn’t nearly cover the cost as fast as I need it to.</p>
<p>Do you have anything of value that you can sell? Are you good enough in any subject to pick up some tutoring work on the side? Some schools do have emergency loans that are offered if students are facing withdrawal due to financial reasons…check their website or, better yet, go in to the FA office and see if they have any ideas.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>where are you commuting from? do you have a free place to live?</p>
<p>I think you need to think longer term than just THIS payment. You have the rest of college to pay for. How will you pay those bills? I know this is going to sound very harsh, but you really have to figure out a way to pay for ALL of the rest of your college years, not just this coming installment.</p>
<p>Thumper: I’m going to live with my grandma, it’ll save me the 4000 a semester I’m paying on room and board, which is currently the only expense that isn’t covered by student loans, or grants. And I’m also expecting more financial aid this upcoming semester from another source. So really while it’ll still be rough, these next 2 installments are my only worries right now. </p>
<p>Sk8rmom: I don’t know of anything I could do to earn the money otherwise, I think that maybe you’re right and I should talk to the finaid office, i’m just afraid they’ll say there’s nothing they can do.</p>
<p>Next TWO installments? From the way you worded it, I thought you had one $1800 payment left! Yikes! Is it too late to move off campus for this semester and/or switch your meal plan to the cheapest one available to save money? You might want to talk with the housing office too.</p>
<p>sk8rmom: The two installments add up to $1800 total. I should have been more clear sorry. It’s $900 per installment with 2 left. And I would have already moved off campus if I had that option however, the contract I signed was for 2 semesters, and an agreement to pay it in full. =/ thanks for trying though.</p>
<p>Okay, it appears that Pitt does have emergency loan funds but it does not specify what the limit is and it may be far short of your total need:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>You’re probably going to have to try to gather as much of the payment as you can from every source you can think of…earnings from work, get a second job on the weekends (I’d recommend something with tips, if possible), selling unnecessary items like game systems, etc. and then apply for an emergency loan for the balance. It sounds as if this school was too expensive for your family to begin with, so it’s good that you can live with your grandmother next year. Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, I figured you had a housing contract but some schools have a long list of kids who want to move on campus so they’ll let those who want to move off mid-semester break their contract…worth asking about if you can’t come up with the cash!</p>
<p>Uhhuh - Don’t laugh at this idea, because it’s great if you’re the right kind of person. You’re in Oakland, and there are a ton of restaurants. Consider being a waiter. The money is incredible for a college kid, the free food is always nice, and the camaraderie and team spirit is great. There’s nothing I ever enjoyed more than waiting tables in college, and you’re set up perfectly at Pitt - so many great options within walking distance. </p>
<p>If you go this route, pick a place where there’s reasonable seating turnover, not a total dive, and it must have a liquor license (which drives up the bill, and hence, your tips). You’ll absolutely want to work weekend nights - at least Sat. I guarantee you that you’ll soon be laughing at the thought that $1800 could represent a problem.</p>