<p>OP, so you are $6k short of being able to attend UF? Are you earning $ this summer? Will any of that make a dent in the amount of your shortfall?</p>
<p>@aunt bea:</p>
<p>As a legal adult, I DID notice the cost of my school. It is a PUBLIC state university, and the CHEAPEST one I could have chosen. It is NOT OVERPRICED.
As a legal adult, I DID notice the “terminology” from FAFSA. It’s called Expected FAMILY Contribution, though that does not mean my family is actually going to give me any money at all. Like I have already said, my father has cut me off because I’m already 18. I’m lucky that he let me continue to stay here until I move out for college in August.
As a legal adult, I DID read my housing contract.</p>
<p>My parents are very responsible and financially aware. They used to put money in a savings account for me, but the most it got to was $1,500. A fews years ago, they took that money out to pay bills because their 10-year-old car was about to break down. They couldn’t afford to buy a new car, so they used the $1,500 from my savings to buy a new transmission.</p>
<p>As for how your family contributes to an EFC, like I already said, I am TRYING. The $1,500 was wiped away to fix my parents’ car. I have a job now but I can’t really save much of the money I earn because I pay for all of my food, clothes, phone bill, etc. I’m lucky that I haven’t started being charged for rent.</p>
<p>I KNOW HOW the FA system “works.” Does that mean I agree with it? NO! I do not EXPECT OTHERS to pay for my education. I am one of the high-performing kids you mentioned. I come from a top nationally-ranked high school with outstanding grades, scores, you name it. I worked my butt off in high school to secure scholarships that would help me pay for college. My issue is that because I was a good student and got a $2,250 scholarship, my university reduced my aid by $2,300 (which is $50 MORE than the amount of my outside scholarship). Sorry for being an over-achiever, I will remember to not look for outside scholarships next time since they’re not going to matter anyway!</p>
<p>My father is one of the parents with a high-performing child. That doesn’t mean that he’s going to “pay our portion of the EFC to give out children the privilege to advancing their educations.” To him, he couldn’t care less. I’m 18, so I got to go and be on my own. That is the bottom line with him. Once I have to leave in August, I WILL BE on my own because my father will cut me off. Well actually, he has already cut me off, so I’m paying for everything I use, which is why it is difficult to save for college even when I have a job!</p>
<p>And, I’m a girl, by the way.</p>
<p>@sybbie719:</p>
<p>Other people’s parents pay for my education, you say? You forgot one little thing: that my parents pay just as much via their own taxes. So they are “shouldering their responsibility.”</p>
<p>I’m sorry but expecting $6K or more each year is very steep, especially considering my parents have to take care of my two younger brothers.</p>
<p>@Sue22:</p>
<p>Families that have saved enough to pay the full COA shouldn’t be penalized, I agree. That is why when I save for my future kids, I will withdraw all the money from the bank a couple years before college, and store it in a safe in my house. No way am I going to get screwed over by the system. My kids can earn scholarships through their hard work, and if they don’t need the money I saved, then it will go towards other things, perhaps my 401k or 403b.</p>
<p>@Roger_Dooley:</p>
<p>It’s funny you say that because they actually reduced my aid by $50 MORE than the amount of my outside scholarship.</p>
<p>I definitely agree with you concerning the dollar-for-dollar removal done by universities. I won’t be looking for outside scholarships anymore since I know that if I earn them, I will be penalized, and it will be as if I never got the outside scholarship in the first place.</p>
<p>@thumper1:</p>
<p>It is not as simple as waiting until I’m 24. The time for me to begin my career will have come and passed by then. The chances of being accepted when I haven’t been in school for 6 years is slim. I will have lost Bright Futures and the possibility of a freshman scholarship, like the one I have now. I won’t even be considered a transfer student, and will not be eligible for transfer scholarships. Universities here do not meet full need. So, waiting until I’m 24 would be futile.</p>
<p>@CTTC:</p>
<p>No, it is not UF. I have a job, but no, it will not make a dent in the amount of my shortfall. My father has cut me off ever since I turned 18. I pay for my phone bill, clothes, food, etc. I’m lucky that he hasn’t started charging me for rent. I wish I could drive to be able to reach jobs that are farther away, but I don’t have my license yet because car insurance would be too expensive. Even if I did have a license, I don’t have a car, and my father will not let me use his.</p>
<p>tryandsucceed,
I’m not sure what degree field you are looking at pursuing, but have you thought about pursuing a co-op/intern position? Some companies will offer tuition reimbursement or tuition assistance. </p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>@tryandsucceed
Hi, I have no stake in this one way or another, but I have a question for you.</p>
<p>If your parents aren’t expected to pay for your education (and you don’t get a full ride bassed on merit or something) , who should be?</p>
<p>OP, your problem is not really what the college did with your outside scholarship–your problem is with that $6000 EFC. It’s unfortunate that your father doesn’t agree with the way education funding works in this country–if he won’t bend, you will either have to come up with the money some other way, or find some way to go somewhere else for less. Definitely talk to the financial aid office–tell them that your problem is with the EFC. They might find some way to help–perhaps they could use the outside scholarship to offset loans instead of grants (if you have loans in your package).</p>
<p>By the way, I have to note that if your parents were richer than they are, you’d be in a worse pickle than you’re in now, because you might not be getting need-based aid at all.</p>
<p>I’m sorry you are in such a pickle, but it seems to me your quibble is with your father, not the college or the FA system. In this day and age, most parents do not “cut off” their kids financially at 18, and it is unfortunate that your father has taken this position. In any event, as has been said before, and as many have done, you can work full-time for a few years to save up for school and then begin taking a few classes at a time as you can afford them or wait until age 24 and apply for financial aid as an independent. It’s absurd to say you can’t start a career at age 24, and you undermine the credibility of your other statements by saying that. (There are CC posters who started new careers in their fifties, for heavens sake. ) Or, if your academic achievement in high school was as good as you have suggested, take a gap year and apply to colleges where you are in the very top tier of applicants so that you can get a merit scholarship.</p>
<p>OP,</p>
<p>I think your anger is misplaced. You should be angry with your dad. I understand that he might not want/be able to contribute to your education expenses, but the least he could do is provide for your food and other expenses, so that you actually save your earning for college. </p>
<p>Did you try to talk to him and help him understand that he setting you up for a failure (don’t be confrontational)? What does your mom say?</p>
<p>Also, can you commute to the college? If this is the case, can you stay with your parents and they not charge your rent? This will save you some money.</p>
<p>P.S. If nothing works, forgo unnecessary expenses: clothing, cell phone, etc.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1497004-looks-like-i-cant-afford-college-what-do-i-do.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1497004-looks-like-i-cant-afford-college-what-do-i-do.html</a></p>
<p>tryandsucceed,
If what you’ve posted on other threads is true, you can (or could) afford to attend college without support from your parents.</p>
<p>USF offered you a $17,000 package.
The 2012-13 COA for in-state at USF was $20,390.
Of that, $4,100 was for miscellaneous expenses, such as toiletries, clothing and entertainment, which you say you’re already paying for anyway. </p>
<p>$20,390-$4,100=$16,290. Even assuming a modest rise in tuition for the coming year you’d come out even or ahead.</p>
<p>If you’re too proud to attend USF that’s not a problem we can help you with.</p>
<p>Ah. Entitlement issues…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I think it is more of not understanding that the aid money does not grow on trees.</p>
<p>@Sue22:</p>
<p>Oh, you’re hilarious. The $17K is a scholarship that would be awarded over FOUR YEARS. Actually, $2K of that is a grant for being in the Honors College, which I decided against because I would have to retake my FKLs. So really it is $15K being distributed over FOUR YEARS. And I wouldn’t even get all of that money because I can graduate in 3 years or less. You don’t know what you’re talking about.</p>
<p>OP, I’m sorry that you are in a difficult financial situation. I do think it’s unfair that your aid was reduced by more than your scholarship. However, I don’t know what you want us internet strangers to tell you. Several people have explained the FA system to you. It’s unfortunate but that’s how it works. The only thing you can do is talk to the FA office at your college, and if they say no then that’s that.</p>
<p>I think you’re mad at your dad…and you’re taking it out on us & the college.
Sometimes you have to play the cards that you are dealt, and unfortunately, you got a bad hand.</p>
<p>Now, colleges expect families to help pay for college because that’s just how it is.
Kids obviously can’t pay for their own education, and college education isn’t free here.
So that leaves, the parents. Because your dad refuses to pay, doesn’t mean you deserve more money/the system is broken. (my parents are also reluctant to pay. And are pushing me to try my hardest to get a full ride somewhere) I’m sorry, and good luck.</p>
<p>t&s-
I think I’ll give up. If what you’re posting is inaccurate or incomplete how can you expect us to help you? Good luck with your life.</p>
<p>
And, if you don’t like it, move to other country where college education is free.</p>