How do you pay for housing and meal plans?

Paying for College
1

<p>So I'm still at a CC but I have been thinking lately about when I will be transfering to a university to pursue a degree in engineering. LOL I dont go to amazing schools like half of you have (the thought never even passed my mind in HS) </p>

<p>I Basicly have all my tuition and books paid for, cause I get vocational rehab. (but budget cuts jepordise even that!) </p>

<p>I also get financial aid too. (which basicly pays for tuition and books. But understand that my parents are beginning to make more money and this year it(F.A) was even reduced by $200.
So I been going to CC cause I can live at home, but I barely do it with out any money. My parents have to give me $20/wk so i can get 2 and from school and they COmPLAIN about that so much! ugh! (..its whatever though)</p>

<p>I pretty much came to terms with taking a Fed loan, although I don't want to. I wouldn't justify it when I'm still going to CC lol.</p>

<p>So by the time I transfer I'll be able to borrow up to 7500 a year. But when I looked at the housing rates their like 5200 a year, and then theres food and all t=kinds of other varibles to consider. Like for example, I'm driving a car thats 13 years old and no a/c, in FL. Dont think its gonna make it another 5 years i need it. </p>

<p>Part of me thinks its unfair that other kids my age(and it seems like most of them!), have new cars and new clothes and can enjoy life. Then again there parents did work hard so they could have it, (or there just legacys ;lol )</p>

<p>So my question is how do you guys do it, without taking out private loans? </p>

<p>I heard about this SMART grant but Idk if I'd qualify, maybe if i have excellent grades from here on out.</p>

<p>Not trying to sound greedy, there just is abslutely no way I could pay for college if it wasnt for F.A.</p>

2

<p>Do you have a job? Some kids work summers or part-time during the school year. Also, it’s often cheaper to live off-campus than on campus and there may be some dorms that are cheaper than others.</p>

3

<p>SMART grant is for 3rd and 4th year students majoring in specific majors (mostly math, sciences, foreign languages). It requires Pell eligibility and a minimum GPA. BUT 2010-2011 school year is the last year it will exist. After 2010-2011 the ACG and SMART grants are both going away.</p>

4

<p>Summer/break jobs, scholarships, Stafford and Perkins loans, work study and careful budgeting. Residential students usually don’t need cars and you may be able to find off-campus housing that’s nearby or has a access via public transportation. You’ll want to apply to schools that are relatively affordable and that offer FA/scholarships to transfers…especially if your parents don’t intend to contribute. So keep those CC grades as high as possible!</p>

5

<p>*I pretty much came to terms with taking a Fed loan, although I don’t want to. I wouldn’t justify it when I’m still going to CC lol.</p>

<p>So by the time I transfer I’ll be able to borrow up to 7500 a year. But when I looked at the housing rates their like 5200 a year, and then theres food and all t=kinds of other varibles to consider. *</p>

<p>1) Summer job and save most of the money! Get a part-time job now and save the money.</p>

<p>2) In May apply to take as much Stafford as you can THIS current year, and save it for next year (since you may be short next year when paying room and board). Since you’ll be applying in May, the money will be for the 2010-11 school year. You’ll still be able to borrow for next year as well. But, by borrowing in May, you’ll cut interest.</p>

<p>3) Live close enough to campus that you won’t need a car.</p>

<p>4) Ask your mom to start setting aside household items that she doesn’t need/use anymore for you to take to your apt. (I was to give many extra items from my home to my child for his first college apt…dishes, glasses, pots, pans, flatware, towels, etc)</p>

<p>5) When it comes time to buy stuff for your apt, stores like Wal-Mart stock unbelievably inexpensive small appliances in "group sets"during “back to school” season. For $15 (yes, $15), I bought a set that included a small coffee maker, an iron, and a small frying pan). And, the set was a name brand…not some odd brand!</p>

<p>6) If your grades are high, join that community college group (forget the Greek name) that often allows you to get scholarships as a transfer student. </p>

<p>Is there a university near your parents home that you could commute to? Since you haven’t mentioned that, should we assume there isn’t?</p>

<p>What state are you in?</p>

6

<p>If you are in FL, the community/state colleges have transfer scholarships. Which CC are you in now? I can help give you more info. Some of the CC’s have a rather large amount of money to award kids just like you when you transfer. There are some CC’s that have money they don’t award each year only because they did not get applicants. What is your current GPA? For even a decent GPA and need, you could get some extra merit fund.</p>

7

<p>If you live off campus you can save a bundle of money over the Univeristy’s room and board. The meal plans are usually horrendously over priced.
You can work part time - yes, even while going to school and taking a full load.</p>

8

<p>You can work part time - yes, even while going to school and taking a full load.</p>

<p>Very true…</p>

<p>My son is a Chemical Engineering major and he works 8 hours a week during the school year. That money pays for the daily expenses.</p>

<p>He works nearly full time in the summer.</p>

9

<p>OP – No one owes you a free ride room and board. That entitlement ended at 18. If you want to have nice things, then you’re going to have to work for it or go on welfare so that other people can work for you. :rolleyes:</p>

10

<p>If you are living on campus and are attending college full time, I would suggest you ditch the car. Car expenses eat up a lot of money (gas, insurance, maintenance). Get a job within walking distance or on campus. Use public transport to get home for holidays (bus, etc).</p>