<p>My name is Brittany, I graduated Magna Cum Laude from my class in 2006. I had decided to take a year off from school before starting college but I've run into some problems. My parents apparently make too much for me to qualify for financial aid through the FAFSA, my school had nothing to offer me financial aid wise. They are expected to contribute $11,000+ to my education this year :O Well needless to say they have nothing to give me for my college expenses, so I had resigned to getting a student loan. I have decent credit (720+) so I figured it wouldn't be a problem. Wrong! I only have about 10 months of credit history so I need a co-signer, ugh. I've now applied for 4 loans and have been turned down each time because my dad's credit score is too low, and my mom's is worse than his. I don't have anyone but my parents to act as my co-signers and I know that taking another year off would be the worse decision I could ever make. Is there anything else I can do? I mean, I barely make enough afford my regular bills, so even taking one or two community college classes is out of the question without a loan of some sort. Please, if anyone knows of any company that will loan to me with my short credit history, or to my parents with their low credit, let me know. Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Well one thing you can do is have your father apply for a Parent PLUS loan. If he is denied (which he very way may be) then you'll be given an extra $4000 (I think) in stafford loans. I'm not sure what to do about the remaining $7000 though. Perhaps if you can show that your father was denied from the PLUS loan then they may be more willing to help you.</p>
<p>edit: It may be beneficial to have your mother apply for the PLUS loan if she has worse credit as that will increase your chance of getting denied and having your stafford loan limit go up.</p>
<p>something all parents can do while planning for college is be clear what expenses they can help with & to what level.</p>
<p>Our EFC was around $13,000- our D earned $3,000 summers that she contributed to EFC and we took out Plus/equity loans for the amount that our * extra?* income didn't cover.</p>
<p>I wouldn't suggest to anyone to take out more loans than cumulative $25,000 after 4 years of college at max.</p>
<p>If your stats are very good, you may be able to find a school that will give you both aid and merit awards to lower your parents contribution</p>
<p>Community colleges are much less expensive and a way to save while still working toward your ultimate education. Transferring from community college to good four year schools is often done.</p>