<p>Here is some quick background information about my situation: I go to a local private school (current Freshman). I'm on a debate scholarship and to afford my school my parents took out a ~23k loan (Parent plus, please don't ask why). </p>
<p>This upcoming semester my parents are definitely not having that (esp since my mom is have to deal with some serious medical conditions), so I'm on my own. I went and talked to Financial Aid. They noted that I don't receive any academic scholarships even though I am doing really good in school (they usually give them out to High Schoolers), she said if I could explain my low GPA and high ACT score and current academic progress I should be able to get some type of money from the school. She also told me to fill out my FAFSA and come back and talk to her (something I don't think my parents will do any time soon). </p>
<p>I went to talk to my debate coach afterwards. Practically what it boiled down to is that he can increase my scholarship to any amount, but just needs to know specifically how much I need. He can't touch room and board, only tuition. Right now for next year my tuition will be $15,506 (after my federal loans). </p>
<p>I have no clue how much my parents are willing to take out to help. I'm thinking about becoming a CNA this summer and saving up to pay for my room and board, use my work study money, and try to get private student loans. </p>
<p>So advice/how much do you think I should ask for? Mainly need advice. Please and thank you. </p>
<p>(1) Ask your debate coach to increase your scholarship to the full cost of tuition and fees.</p>
<p>(2) Use your federal student loans (and work study and summer earnings) to pay for your room and board.</p>
<p>(3) Provide the financial aid officer with the explanation she requested - in writing.</p>
<p>(4) Get the FAFSA submitted! I understand that you said your parents wouldn’t help you with that . . . but you’re going to have to convince them.</p>
<p>How do you expect to get federal loans if you don’t submit FAFSA???</p>
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I went to talk to my debate coach afterwards. Practically what it boiled down to is that he can increase my scholarship to any amount, but just needs to know specifically how much I need. He can’t touch room and board, only tuition. Right now for next year my tuition will be $15,506 (after my federal loans).
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<p>Ask for the full tuition amount. you’ll need your parents to do FAFSA otherwise ou wont get fed loans…</p>
<p>He implied strongly that he won’t give me a full ride. Like REALLY strongly. </p>
<p>“Like I can help, but 16k is a LOT of money…”</p>
<p>You said “any amount”. Now you are saying he was hedging in the same conversation. You can tell him that if he can get the full amount of tuition, which is full tuition , not full ride, that would be great but to try to get you as close to that as possible. Ask if $15K is possible? Or how about $12K. If he’s still hedging, Ask him what he is likely to be able to get It’s kind fo crazy he expects you to bargain your own self down. </p>
<p>You are really not clear as to what the cost is here. You say that the cost is about $16K AFTER your federal loans but you also say something about your parents not having yet filled out forms, and won’t be any time soon? YOu need to get your parents to fill out and submit that FAFSA or you won’t even get the federal loans. </p>
<p>So ask your coach if you can get the scholarship up to $15K, get parents to fill out FAFSA, you get your $6500 in loans and work to make up the rest That’s still a lot to make up if you don’t have money on hand.</p>
<p>Well his literal words were “any amount” but he did have that hedging part to it. He also said he didn’t want ot do a real bargain thing with me. Also I’m basing it off of the $6500 I would be able to borrow in federal loans as a 2nd year. I got my parents to agree to get the FAFSA done this weekend. </p>
<p>Ugh. I’m almost to the point where I don’t think this is worth it…but I LOVE this school so much. </p>
<p>Sit down, figure out all the costs, and what’s it’s going to take to get it paid - including loans, work study, summer earnings. Be realistic - don’t assume you’ll be able to earn $6,000 over the summer. Once you’ve got it figured out, you’ll know how much you need the coach to help you with. Then add $1,000 to that number, if you can, just so you have a cushion.</p>