Homeless for the semester

<p>Just wondering, for your financial issue: is a part time job a possibility for you?
I don’t think you will survive a Philly winter on a park bench :/</p>

<p>I am somewhat disabled and haven’t really been able to work but I am going to find a job soon. I am worried about winter too to be honest. </p>

<p>Please talk to Project HOME. If you’re disabled, you may qualify for some funding. They have transitional housing in very nice spaces. (Jon Bon Jovi is one of the major funders.) They also have job help, health services, and education. You don’t need to be homeless or living in an unsafe situation. Please!</p>

<p>I will definitely look into Project Home and all the other suggestions tomorrow. Will also update regarding what happens at my meeting tomorrow. Thanks all for the advice!</p>

<p>Also try LIFT in Philadelphia. Their mission is to help people in your very situation. </p>

<p>I’m struggling with this. There is something that doesn’t compute. </p>

<p>Can you provide a detailed history of what happened, who you’ve contacted and why they haven’t been able to help you. </p>

<p>The only way this seems like it can be happening is if you were not an emancipated minor and Penn relies on your parents income to determine your FinAid, and either your parents won’t pay or haven’t paid. Penn is not equipped to deal with this situation. </p>

<p>If that’s the case, you really better withdraw your registration and take a leave before classes start and you get irrevocably billed for more tuition. Otherwise, you could end up with your records frozen and a large bill. Then you will be trapped. </p>

<p>In this kind of situation, you really can’t afford Penn, and I suggest that you re-evaluate your options. </p>

<p>If you choose this route, there are options. </p>

<p>How did you register for classes if you are on financial hold? Is there any chance of reconciling with your parents? Their response might surprise you if you contact them for help. Good luck to you!</p>

<p>I’m not a minor. Parents haven’t been in my life since prior to Penn. I don’t feel comfortable giving specific details at this point. I feel I’ve given enough information at this time. </p>

<p>I <em>did not register for classes</em> yet. My parents are <em>not in the picture and have not been for years prior to Penn</em>. I am not a minor.</p>

<p>I meant no disrespect. </p>

<p>I feel bad for people who have been estranged from their parents, but who by virtue of the FinAid rules are caught between a rock and a hard place. </p>

<p>By all means follow up and see if you can get something resolved. </p>

<p>The question remains if all else fails what can you do. </p>

<p>Definitely get a job. That’s hard to do without an address. </p>

<p>The options that I see are

  1. Get married. I’m serious. If you’re married, you are assumed to be independent. </p>

<p>2) Can you afford to finish Penn through the school of continuing studies while you work full or part time?</p>

<p>Harvard University also has an extension school where you can get a degree. It’s roughly $1100 per course. </p>

<p>The tradeoff between Penn and Harvard is that Penn charges more tuition, and it’s more expensive to live in Boston. </p>

<p>I wish you luck. </p>

<p>What was your FA offer?</p>

<p>@Yaypenn‌ What happened at the meeting?</p>

<p>The person I spoke with was great and really professional. I still have to meet with other people though. Won’t be registering this semester though. Can’t afford it and the person that I need to speak with continues to ignore my requests for information to this day. </p>

<p>Then you do need a job. So we’re back to Project HOME, which also offers job assistance. Job coach is Paul Dunnaville, who’s at <a href="mailto:pauldunnaville@projecthome.org">pauldunnaville@projecthome.org</a>. In fact he sent out notices today for jobs in a nursing home and for 200 jobs in a new call center. Again, I’ve met him and really liked him. He can help you quickly.
.</p>

<p>Yep. I do need a job. You’re right. I also need a place to live and a job that can accommodate me with my disability. Not really understanding the “then you do need a job”. I know that I need a job. </p>

<p>Do you have a physical disability? </p>

<p>Yes I have a physical disability.</p>