<p>I'm afraid. The financial crisis has gutted my flagship university education. When the new budget passes, the university is going to lose almost half of its state funding, forcing the closure of several schools and eviscerating most financial aid commitments. I'm a 4.0 honors student with several semesters under my belt, set to graduate in four years. I received the NMF scholarship, the largest merit award in the school, and I am involved in student life and activities. I am at college to become a more informed and educated citizen in the world; I try to take classes because of how they will enrich me as a thinker, and approach every subject, however previously loathed, as a chance to broaden my understanding of the world. I volunteer in my community, work hard in my classes, and love attending school. </p>
<p>Although my family doesn't qualify for need aid, the majority of our money goes to supporting two family members with serious, life-threatening medical conditions. The FAFSA only accounts for income, not how much of that income is actually disposable. I turned down expensive private and out of state schools with the knowledge that my future career plans will not allow me to pay off burdensome debt. Now, if this budget passes, the only chance I have of continuing my education is to try and find a job, a diligent search which has yet to profit any result, or to take out loans that will mount quickly into the five figure range. I don't know what to do. </p>
<p>I will know in a month whether I'll still have financial aid in the fall. Even though I live at home and help out my parents with younger siblings, I feel badly asking my parents for help. We don't live paycheck to paycheck, but ever month means less money in their now ravaged retirement account. With co-pays, insurance payments, medicine and hospital visits insurance won't cover because we reached our coverage limit, and ever shrinking health benefits, I don't feel as though I can burden them with this. How do I approach this situation if the worst comes?</p>
<p>Please. I'm becoming desperate. Even if I stay in school, what will my education be worth? They are tearing down walls to accommodate the larger class sizes. Discussion sections and small classes are being axed, right along with their professors. Some of the schools are even disappears, maybe the home of my degree included.</p>
<p>Did I make the right decision even coming here? I just don't know what to do.</p>
<p>Take deep slow breaths and think happy thoughts for ten minutes (don't hyperventilate!) timed on a clock.</p>
<p>Consider your options. Make a list.</p>
<p>Don't think of your decision to do what you did regarding school as being right or wrong. It was a good decision in its original context . Unfortunately conditions have changed, not just for you, but for everyone.</p>
<p>If by NMF you mean National Merit Finalist and you have a 4.0, consider transferring to a better funded institution.</p>
<p>You might consider switching to a more utilitarian degree that has financial aid attached. Nursing or engineering comes to mind. For many individuals these can be a pre-med or pre-law program but each is a worthwhile career in itself.</p>
<p>Consider ROTC. Consider military sevice. Consider trying for an academy appointment.Jimmy Carter went to Ga. Tech for a year prior to his Annapolis appointment.</p>
<p>You have a geat record. This gives you flexibility and opportunities others lack.</p>
<p>I've been watching state budget cut reports around the country and I haven't seen any where state funding will be cut in half. Could you tell me which state this is in so that I could take a look at their state budget?</p>
<p>I'm in Arizona. The three public universities all have information posted on their websites, and the Arizona Republic has reported on it extensively over the weekend. This news is just emerging and plans won't be finalized until the last day of January. </p>
<p>I am a liberal arts major and plan to work with non-profits and NGOs.</p>
<p>Thank you for you answers so far. I know this preliminary panic, but its been bothering me all weekend.</p>
<p>A certain degree of panic when confronted by a real or percieved threat is actually good.</p>
<p>This reflex saved enough of our ancestors from being eaten by sabre toothed tigers that we are here today.LOL</p>
<p>Excessive panic inhibits rational thought and is counterproductive. Breathing exercises are actually helpful. If you are religious, pray. If not, do yoga. You can also do yoga if you are religious. If you are Buddist I think you have to do yoga.</p>
<p>Some schools offer full free rides to Naional Merit Finalists out of high school. I do not know about transfers. Try the Universities of Oklahoma, Alabama, and Florida. This is just contingency planning. I would think you would be one of the last people to be abandoned by your university.</p>
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The FAFSA only accounts for income, not how much of that income is actually disposable.
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<p>After FAFSA processes your form, you can appeal to the school for "adjustments". That is where you present your hardship. Contact your school's financial aid office, and they will tell you the process.</p>