<p>I fill out a fasfa every year. My expected family contribution is $69,000 per year. My parents are contributing $0. I do not qualify for more than $4,000 student gov. loans per year. I do not qualify for grants, scholarships, work-study, or anything else because they look at my parents income. </p>
<p>My parents are unwilling to co-sign on any type of student loan, whether now or ever. On top of that my parents are verbally abusive. I can't count the times they have made me feel so bad and threatened me so much that I wanted to kill myself. </p>
<p>If I could find a job I could move out and save up money, but because of economy I can't find even a semi-stable job. My employers either get laid off themselves, (than I get laid off) or the very <strong>very</strong> few odd jobs I can find can only afford to pay me a couple days a month. Maybe 20 hours a month total. I can't pay rent with that, let alone gas, car insurance, food, utilities, etc....I'm in Michigan (think 15% unemployment rate~highest in the country). </p>
<p>I'm currently trying to see if I can qualify for a independent loan through sallie mae with no co-signer and no credit history. </p>
<p>Any advice,ideas, suggestions, tips?????
Any useful knowledge anyone can give me?</p>
<p>Might stay clear of Sallie Mae however, their fee enhancements are legendary, and the payments office combines a stunning inefficiency with a almost superhuman capacity for abuse. </p>
<p>Might wait a bit before engaging in collegiate studies, right now their is some substantial back scenes squabbling going on in DC about student funding. If it comes out well, could be better then…</p>
<p>Sometime by the end of the summer. If you can get to a college library or web source, keep checking the “Chronicle”, “Inside Higher Ed” as these are good sources about the inside goings on at the USDOE and higher education funding. </p>
<p>Plus Arne Duncan the new Secretary of the USDOE recently floated a proposal that with the federal direct loans payments could be income sensitive and there would be some potential for loan forgiveness for certain types of professions. </p>
<p>As a result there’s been a incredible marketing binge by the corporate lenders. For example at the school at which I’m a prof there is now a corporate lenders poster every ten feet some of which imply the school and the corporation are one and the same. </p>
<p>Also there’s a book coming out called the “Student Loan Scam” might be wise to read it before jumping into the loan swamp unawares…</p>
<p>I will keep checking those sites out, and I will locate and read that book.</p>
<p>This is the type of information I needed to know. I hope something changes in legislation for someone in my type situation. Otherwise, I will have to take out freakishly high interest loan, if I can even get one. Staying like this, were I am now, is not an option.</p>
<p>I don’t know much about doing this, but could you get your college to consider you financially independent from your parents? Can anybody else weigh in on this. I mean, these people sound like they really SUCK massively, especially considering how much money they have (that’s a high EFC!) in such hard times.</p>
<p>^ Unfortunately, they probably won’t. My boyfriend was in a similar situation (very abusive parents), but he moved out on his own at 15. FAFSA and his school wouldn’t declare him independent until the 09-10 year and even then only did it because having a school declare you homeless qualified you as being independent. </p>
<p>Your best option would be to talk to your college and see if they can work around it. Your next best option would be to go to your local community college and see if they can work with you.</p>
<p>If it gets really bad, please go to a local shelter or something along those lines. If your parents really are abusive then there are many people out there that can help you (both in general and in school).</p>
<p>“Otherwise, I will have to take out freakishly high interest loan, if I can even get one…” </p>
<p>Don’t as those type of loans can be something which will affect your life for a generation or more. And family stress is bad enough, without being compounded by a ballooning debt, and the very, very abusive nature of student loan collections people. They can act well in violation of FTC guidelines, and can pull tricks which would send a police officer up the river if one tried it. </p>
<p>As a prof, me and my colleagues routinely have to deal with the consequences of these corporate loans, both for troubled students and professorial associates. It’s a form of pressure you do not need compounded with everything else. </p>
<p>Your other situation, as others have noted there is help out there. Get some on site help and advise before making decisions. Might consider if you do have the 4,000 available start at a CC, take enough courses to be a full time student and no more. Perhaps through the student services offices/counselor might be able to link to other forms of help.</p>
<p>If you take out a high interest loan, it will be a weight on your shoulders for years and years. Verbal parental abuse is stressful, but unsecured personal debt is as well. I would go to a CC before taking on huge debts. See a counselor to learn how to deal with your family. Wanting to kill yourself in response to your parents is a symptom of a problem that needs medical attention. I’m not saying they are right or anything, just that you should protect yourself and your emotional and mental health. Good luck.</p>
<p>Are you still in high school? Afaik, ALL students who file a FAFSA qualify for the full amount of Stafford loans up to the full COA minus other aid awarded. For freshmen this is capped at $5,500 next year and increases every year as you progress. Merit scholarships generally do not have a need component, so if you can find a school that would offer you decent merit aid that would definitely help. Many national scholarships (Walmart, Lowes, etc.) do have a need component, but not all exclude high EFC kids. Local scholarships are generally more accessible and based on your high school performance, community service, etc. - they may not be huge, but can add up quickly. Finally, you don’t need a work-study award to get a job on campus. Most schools have jobs that aren’t funded by work study available too and there are always busy shops and eateries who rely on the campus for business. These jobs often pay more than the work-study jobs which are minimum wage. The only benefit to work-study is that it doesn’t raise your FAFSA EFC the following year, not a huge concern in your case. </p>
<p>There is also the annaul Teach grant, up to $4K/year with no need test, which you should sign up for (no need component) if there’s even a possibility you might go into teaching. If you end up not fulfilling the service commitment, it just becomes an additional unsubsidized Stafford loan.</p>
<p>You might have to live at home or with a relative and attend school if there’s one within commuting distance. Or work and go to school part time. There are other states besides Michigan where you might find employment a bit easier, especially in the summer (think tourism). You could even take some online courses for a year while you sign on with Americorps and earn money toward college. The bottom line is, there are ways to get an education, and build an interesting resume, on your own if you are persistent and flexible. Most kids want to follow the crowd and do it the traditional way (on Mom & Dad or Uncle Sam’s dime) but those that don’t/can’t often end up being more mature, resourceful, and successful. Save and earn as much as you can, be creative, and keep an open mind…you can get there!</p>
<p>I have talked with financial aid office at my university. Although they were sympathetic they couldn’t do anything that was already being done under my circumstances.</p>
<p>4,000 is how much they would they would give me if I go to a university. They re-calculate the loans amount offered if I go to a different school. It’s on based the cost of tuition at the school. At a CC I would either get a couple hundred or $0 since they expected family contribution is $69,000 regardless of where I go.</p>
<p>I’m confused. As SK8mom states, a freshman is entitled to $5500 in unsubsidized Staffords regardless of what family EFC. The only reasons you cannot get that amount is if you have already reached the maximums in prior Stafford loans, or if your COA (cost of attendance) is less. Have you borrowed money for school before? Are you at the maximum? Or are you trying to get enough money to live on your own and go to school, and hoping to get it through loans?</p>
<p>How much does your CC cost per year? Around $10,000 (which is much more than I’ve ever heard of for a CC for 2 years) is not bad for your first two years of undergrad. Plus, have you gotten any scholarships?</p>
<p>IF there’s a will, there’s a way…get on a bus (very low fare) into the nearest LARGE city and apply for every job you can find…dishwasher, waiter, etc. work full time this summer and you will have enough money to go to a community college. Do VERY WELL there and you will be able to transfer into almost any university or college…did you try to ask your parents again if they will loan you the money for community college, or contribute partially? Are there ANY relatives or close friends, friends parents that will help you find a job, navigate this process, etc. If not, you can do it. Perhaps if the situation is really dire, you should call social services, they will remove you from the home and guide you along the process of independence or ward of the state. If it is not dire, then perhaps some conversation with your parents about your feeling, goals and their willingness to help in any manner. Regardless, many have successfully navigated this path, worked full time, paid for community college and went on to be productive members of a university setting after. You can do it. Go for it.</p>