To sum things up, I can’t get financial aid. My parents still put me as a dependent on their taxes so I can’t file independently. Also, even when I filled out fasfa in the past, I didn’t qualify due to my parents income. Even then they can’t afford to pay for a 4 year school. I went to university for one semester, but left after 1 semester due to depression I’ve had since 2007. I have been going to CC, but have been struggling as well and withdrew from many classes over the years due to being hospitalized/loss of motivation. I know am getting stable and want to go back to school. I tried to apply for a loan through Sallie Mae, but my school isn’t partnered with them. I would have to try another CC in my area since I can’t retake my failed classes at my local CC anymore as well. Parents won’t co-sign a loan either…
How old are you?
Frankly, someone with the history of dropping a lot of classes should NOT be borrowing money for school.
You need to “get healthy” and not consider borrowing anything until you’re healthy enough to take a full load of classes…and finish them with GOOD GRADES.
Once you’re 24, you won’t need your parents’ info.
The fact that they claim you as a dependent is NOT relevant.
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To sum things up, I am a 22 year old who graduated high school in 2011. Went to a state university for one semester, but my parents had me come home after one semester due to bad grades. I was put on academic probation after failing 3/5 classes. I came home and started CC spring 2012. I tried every semester on and off due to a lot of bad depression and long hospital stays. Each time I was in the hospital for a long time I would just withdraw from all my classes.
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As of right now I can no longer take ENGLISH 101 or MATH 101 because I signed up so many times and would withdraw before the end of the semester.
Right now I’ve been out of the hospital for the longest streak ever, 6 months.
I would LOVE to start my college experience over at a university preferably away from home. I need to push myself out of my comfort zone.
My gpa right now at this community college is only 2.57. I signed up for many classes, but have only passed a handful of them. Also I haven’t had success with financial aid in the past, so I don’t really know how to pay for school either.
Lastly, I’m interested in either photojournalism as a bachelors degree and then go into occupational therapy in the future.
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Someone seeking a career in photojournalism should not be borrowing much.
I’m 22 by the way @Madison85 . And @mom2collegekids what else can I do? I have no idea what I could do besides just getting a job and working full time and forgetting about school for now. I really don’t have any interest in working full time at minimum wage for the next few years. My goal is to get a degree and to start feeling like an independent young adult.
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I'm 22 by the way @Madison85 . And @mom2collegekids what else can I do? I have no idea what I could do besides just getting a job and working full time and forgetting about school for now. I really don't have any interest in working full time at minimum wage for the next few years. My goal is to get a degree and to start feeling like an independent young adult. <<<
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Are you healthy? Are you able to deal with a full time situation…working or going to school?
I imagine that your parents are hesitant to get involved financially because of the history.
“I have no idea what I could do besides just getting a job and working full time and forgetting about school for now.”
Yes. That is what you should do. Until you are fully recovered (and six months is not long enough to say you are recovered), you aren’t ready to be in college full time.
It really, truly is OK to take one class at a time while you work full time. Better to do this slowly and well, than not at all.
There are certain big companies that are helping pay for college. Starbucks is one and I think Home Depot is another. I think the classes are done online thru a university.
If so, then try to get a job at one of those places.
I don’t understand. You failed some courses at your local CC, but they won’t allow you to retake them to get better grades? Did they throw you out?
Walmart supposedly has some tuition assistance as well. And don’t discount looking into trade/training programs.
Yes, @mom2collegekids my parents are hesitant to help out. I’ve wasted money when I went away to university for a semester and wasted a lot paying for CC as well. I am as healthy as I’ll ever be. I’m basically sitting around the house all day with nothing to do. I have the motivation to get back in school and hold a job. I already held a temp job this spring and will start again next week. These temp jobs just aren’t enough to pay for school as of right now (actively looking for new jobs)
@happymomof1 yes I think I’ll just have to get a full time job and work my way up that way. I’m itching to get out of the house and live on my own, but I guess I can’t get what I want all the time. I was just going to take 2 to 3 classes this fall and then try full time in the spring. My goal is to get into an OTA program, but even those have a lot of pre-reqs that I don’t even have :.
And @rhandco my CC has a rule that after signing up for the same class about 4 times, you can no longer take that class at the CC and have to look elsewhere to complete those classes. I just signed up for english and math 101 so many times and ended up either failing or withdrawing A LOT!
Nineteenagain…you have a huge obstacle to overcome. You sound like you have dropped or failed way more courses than you have passed. It is highly likely that you will not meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress threshold at any college. You will therefore be ineligible for federally funded aid…until you do…and this includes federally funded loans.
I would strongly suggest you work full time…doesn’t really matter where…and take ONE class next term. Pay out of pocket for it at a CC. If you do,well in that one class, then try two classes. If that goes well, reduce your work hours, and try three classes.
My point is…you may need to take less courses at one time to be successful.
No one is going to fund college for you now with your lack of success rate.
If you’re interested, rhandco is right–Walmart does indeed have employee scholarships for which you can apply four times a year. I think you have to work for 6 months or so before you can apply.
Also, we just bumped our minimum wage to $9 here at the Mart of Walls, and many stores are looking for cashiers, cart pushers, stockers, etc. at the beginning of the summer.
Good luck!
UPS also has a program:
I completely agree with the previous posters. Until you are stable in a job, demonstrating consistency in something, a full schedule of classes needs to be put on hold. I’m sorry that’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth. Starting and stopping classes will not gain you future access to a university program. Have you ever even requested a copy of your transcript? This is what the colleges will see.
My colleagues are OT’s. The level of paperwork and client care is very stressful and time-consuming (yes you have to submit lesson plans if you have a school placement). Becoming an OT requires consistency because this is what you have to emulate and teach. The medical component and the boards of this occupation will stress you; you have to be stable.
Please do not begin this adventure anew, without considering how you will maintain consistency for at least a year of working and completing at least one class.
Thanks @“aunt bea”. Even if I was to seriously look into an OT program, I know I couldn’t start right away. I still have some pre-reqs that somehow need to be completed. It’s just frustrated to see my peers graduating college and starting jobs while I’m here always siting at home with nothing to show over the past few years. I know a future in OT (most likely just OTA) will be stressful, but I can’t let my depression stop me from pursuing a career. If I don’t go into OT then I have no idea what else to do. I’m on the look out for full time jobs and have applied to a lot of them. Thanks for your honest response though.
@nineteenagain: Great to hear that you are looking for jobs!
Don’t worry what your “peers” are doing; it is not a race and it’s none of their business what you do or how long it takes. As long as you are okay with yourself and who you are, then no matter what you go into, you will be fine. Keep it consistent. Do the tortoise thing: slow and steady.
Just look at it as several years taken for research in self-esteem and self-efficacy. You’ll be a better and wiser student and a harder worker if you go in with a couple of years of knowledge, which is what these OT clients need.