<p>Ok I have no idea about how any of this really works. I dropped out of high school and have gotten my GED. I have lived on my own since i was 17 but I'm still considered dependent. My mom has terrible credit and no way to pay for my student loans. My real dad is dead and my mom has married since i moved out but he is on social security and also has terrible credit, he doesn't file taxes, and my mom does not claim him on hers. i am moving to the Chicago suburbs in June of this year. i have not applied to the community college i plan on attending for the first two years yet. What do i do? i am going to be stretching it to pay for the ACT and Applications fees. I have no idea what do do about my FAFSA. Do i put my Stepfather on? Do i need to apply to the school before i feel it out? What if i have to get loans? I have no one to co-sign for me and I have no one to help me pay. I just really do not know how this process works and i want to try starting school in January.</p>
<p>How old are you?</p>
<p>You don’t need an ACT score for a CC. Just apply. That’s all.</p>
<p>I am 20. About to turn 21. I am trying to feel out my FAFSA so that i know if i will be able to get student loans or federal aid. Without one of them i really don’t know what i can do. I cant just not go to college.</p>
<p>Do the fafsa4caster online so you have an estimated EFC, then let us know what it is. Your mom’s credit should not be a factor with students loans, as you’ll be offered Stafford loans in your own name ($5500 Freshman, $6500 Sophomore). Are you planning on working while you’re in school? Do you have housing or are you planning to live on campus? Do you know what the Cost Of Attendance is for this school?</p>
<p>Btw, untaxed social security benefits are not reported on FAFSA. So yes, you likely have to use your stepfather’s info, but it may not increase your EFC.</p>
<p>I am not sure about the Cost of Attendance but i am sure it is pretty cheap considering it is a community college. i did the fasfa4caster and it told me my EFC is 0. I have worked full time since i was 17. But i have had to get a car and of course apartment so i have almost no money left over. I did get my CNA license because i am going to school for nursing and i know the experience is really good so i make more just not enough to spend anything for college. And i will have an apartment while I’m in school.</p>
<p>Your EFC was 0 with your income included? That doesn’t seem right unless you qualified for the Automatic 0, as student income is only protected up to a few thousand. Anyway, if it stays 0, you would be eligible for a full Pell grant ($5550/year) as well as student loans. If you’re planning to work enough to pay your rent and personal expenses, you shouldn’t have a problem covering tuition.</p>
<p>I went back a my EFC is 8560.00 i must have done something wrong the first time because i had to answer a lot more questions this time. hopefully attending a CC i will be able to pay for college with the 5550.00 loan. If not what are my other options? My mom would never apply for a loan for me ,not that it would help.</p>
<p>I just read that the annual tuition and fee for the CC are only 2,740.00. Will i still be able to take more out on the loan to cover unexpected things that might pop up?</p>
<p>You will likely be able to take out the full freshman Stafford loan of $5500. The school uses “Cost of Attendance” which normally includes estimates for tuition, fees, books, living expenses, transportation, and misc. expenses. But try not to borrow much more than you actually need…it does have to go back with interest!</p>
<p>Will I have to pay that back when I graduate from nursing school? Or if I imeadiatly continue on to a 4 year college can I pay it back after graduating then?</p>
<p>Stafford loan repayments can be deferred until you are finished with college - I think it’s 6 months after you graduate/leave school. There are several payment options, including a new Income Based Repayment. Finaid.org give good explanations and links to student loan info.</p>