<p>Thanks. I didn't really think of posting it until people were asking where the money goes. I don't get any social security though, there's a good chance I'd be eligible for it I hear. We just never applied because my dad likes to leave it for people who truly use it to live on.</p>
<p>If you parents' large amount of debt is also based on medical bills, schools will also take that into consideration.</p>
<p>What are you academics like? Any chance at merit based scholarships? You may also want to look into scholaships assocaited with your medical condition. I know, for example, there are scholarships for cancer survivors and children of those with cancer. Not to imply that you have cancer; just a point of reference.</p>
<p>girl, apply for SSI</p>
<p>you never know</p>
<p>another thought that I had --there are a number of scholarships based on need, academics and circumstances. you medical condition is something that you have triumphed over and plan to go to college -- scholarship boards like this and it could be a tipping point for you when applying to scholarships. Make sure you spend some time applying for those.</p>
<p>maura, I sent you a pm just now on how to report a really mean pm to the mods. It is labeled: "This is not a mean pm, I swear!" Alrighty? </p>
<p>Good luck and GOD bless.</p>
<p>Maura, I understand. I'm usually very economically conservative, and its my opinion that most people with money problems have themselves to blame, but people entirely discount the factor that health and illness plays into the equation. No one asks to be sick, or pay the rediculous doctor bills. Its even worse when the doctors don't know exactly what's wrong and spend thousands trying to treat the symptoms, often exacerbating the true cause. (Yes, doctors have given me pills I am allergic to in hopes of making my stomach feel better)</p>
<p>If you have a particular diagnosis for a chronic debilitating condition, I would look for financial aid through some national support organization for that condition. I've seen scholarships for all manners of illness, usually merit-based to a degree and often with an essay as a major component for consideration. If you don't have a diagnosis, finding one might even take priority over college. I pushed myself into college when I was still sick, and I definately missed out on a lot because of it and I wasn't able to build the grades I wanted to get into grad school OR the work experience I needed to land a high paying job after graduation. In my case, I was able to diagnose myself and figure out what the gastrologists, dermatologists, and general practitioners couldn't figure out. This won't work for everyone, but I personally learned a lot about how clueless doctors can be and how sometimes there is no medicinal cure and yet there can still be hope for complete recovery..</p>
<p>"Sorry to make you so angry Northstar, we aren't all forunate. I am wondering about financial aid from these universities though. I hear that a private one can sometimes end up costing less than a public. I am eligible for many full-paid scholarships that are provided by my dad's employer, so I'm hoping for one of those. "</p>
<p>I wasn't angry. I was giving you reality. I've mentored lots of low income students and the reality is that as is the case with many students who are middle income -- probably the majority of low income students have to live at home and commute to a public university, often starting at a two-year college for financial reasons.</p>
<p>Consequently, make sure that you're applying to at least one school that is a financial safety: meaning you know that you will be accepted there and you know that you definitely can afford to go there.</p>
<p>As for people who are choosing to carry $60,000-$100,000 in loans, that in my opinion is downright crazy for most people. It will be very difficult to pay off such loans. Such loans also will greatly restrict one's post graduate options: where you live, what jobs you take, when you have kids, when you buy a home.</p>
<p>It is not necessary to take out so much in college loans. Most people can either commute to a college that's relatively low cost or can move to an area with such a college, work there for a year, and then enroll in a local 4-year or two-year college, even if that means going part time.</p>
<p>While it's great that some schools costing $20 k and more have offered you $5,000, that won't matter if without taking excessive loans, you can't afford to attend those schools. </p>
<p>Also, when you look at your scholarship packages see whether those packages come with strings. Some merit scholarships require such high gpas in college that many students only end up getting them for one semester. Some colleges will start out meeting 100% of your need with loan packages, and in later years will meet, for instance, 80% of your need, and will cover that need in loans.</p>
<p>When you get aid packages, it's a good idea to post the college's name here because others may have had experiences with those colleges and can warn you if there may be problems in future years.</p>
<p>You are lucky that there are lots of scholarships for future nurses. Check for those locally and nationally and do careful applications to them.</p>
<p>If anyone is sending you mean PMs, copy the PMs and send them to the moderators. Such PMs violate CC's guidelines.</p>
<p>To help people advise you about scholarships, I'm copying your stats as you posted them elsewhere.</p>
<p>"Okay, here goes.
I want to go the University of Pittsburgh-Oakland (main campus) for Nursing.
The problem is that I suck at the SATs.
Do I have any chance at all of getting in?
Here are my stats:
3.8 UW GPA at private school with tough curriculum in Pittsburgh area
1590/2400 SAT I
Ten various extracurricular activities (with a few leadership positions)
Eight volunteer activities (hundreds of hours) all in a medical setting
Excellent essay
Excellent rec's.
They have rolling admission so I will be applying in August (much earlier than most people) and then I will take the SATs once more in October.
Please chance me with my current Stats though.
Thanks."</p>
<p>Thanks, but I retook the SAT, just got the new scores back so bumped that SAT I score to an 1800 combined. Oh and incase it matters my school is considered private and I take the toughest courses offered (No APs offered), however it is a distance learning program through the school since I don't 'physically' attend. :)</p>
<p>I have not read through all of these posts, and I don't have time to sit and read them right now. I did catch that you thought that I was being mean. I really was not trying to be mean, and I am sorry that you feel that way. I was trying to give some constructive suggestions, by telling you that bills for medical issues might be taken into consideration, if you can show that your family debt is the result of illness. I was adding to the point that other debt is simply a lifestyle choice. Yes, it is a lifestyle choice. For example, if a family (not your own, just a pretend one) took a family trip to a tropical island and ran up a 5,000 bill, and sister Sally needed that new $800 coat with $400 matching boots, and then they had 2,000 in weekend meals in restaurants throughout the year, oh, and dad decided that he needed a new $40,000 car, etc.-I hope you are getting my point that those are lifestyle choices that colleges are not willing to fund. I really don't see anything wrong with my prior post. I was trying to share information, and only trying to help.</p>
<p>First, congratulations on how your SAT scores increased!</p>
<p>If there's a Papa Johns pizza in your city, see if they participate in the scholarship program, which is based on character -- overcoming challenges, etc.</p>
<p>If so, the scholarship applications usually are due Feb. 15. Character and the essay are far more important than grades. They'd rather give the scholarships to students with 2.5 averages, 1500 SATs (new scale) who have overcome challenges than to give them to the 4.0, 2400 students, who'll probably get other kinds of merit aid.</p>
<p>The essay is very important and needs to tell how you overcame challenges.</p>
<p>If you get it, they'll give you $2,000 more the next year if you get a minimum 3.0 average first semester of college. You learn that in Dec. of your freshman year when they send a letter to your home asking about your grades.</p>
<p>If you have to go to a community college first, keep in mind that the first 2 years of college, one does general education requirements. It's in the junior and senior years that one fulfills one's requirements for one's major. </p>
<p>Also, is there no public transportation in your city? What about door to door transportation for people who are disabled?</p>
<p>In addition, if you or your family qualify for Social Security, get it. Qualifying means you need it. Don't be too proud to get what you deserve. One has to be needy, disabled, etc. to get Social Security, so certainly get it if you qualify. You need the $.
I know because my older S got the scholarship (but didn't have the 3.0 to get $2,000 more).</p>
<p>There also are other merit scholarships that look at character and financial need, so use fastweb.com and frequently check with your GC to find out about other scholarships that you may qualify for.</p>
<p>There also are scholarships for students who have disabilities. Use Google to find them and also use fastweb.com. There also are plenty of scholarships for students planning to major in nursing.</p>
<p>Did you find out if you got into Pitt? Did you apply to Duquesne too and also Carlow? Did you determine your EFC? That is a good way to see where you stand.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I was accepted into Pitt, but haven't got acceptance letters from Duquesne or Carlow yet but I didn't apply to them that long ago.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If anyone is sending you mean PMs, copy the PMs and send them to the moderators. Such PMs violate CC's guidelines.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Would that make some course of action come through sooner? I have been having surreal issues as of late, but I do not think I cut and pasted the stuff.</p>
<p>Should you cut and paste cruel posts to the mods as well? ^</p>
<p>Don't be a wuss.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>The truth of the matter is that a private college won't "cost" any more than a state school.>></p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>The truth of the matter is that SOME private schools won't cost more than a state school. Remember, not all private schools meet full need. AND many schools have loans as part of their finaid packages, not just free money (grants and scholarships). It is very possible that a private school could give your need based aid that would make the cost of attendance similar to the cost of attending your instate university. But that is NOT a guarantee. The only way to know is to apply and apply for finaid too...and then compare packages.</p>
<p>P.S. As an example, each of our kiddos had an EFC this year of $22,000. I can tell you that we are paying well in excess of that for each of them for their PRIVATE school college educations...WELL in excess. Neither of them goes to a school that meets full need.</p>
<p>Good news! I just received notification yesterday that I was awarded an automatic $32,000 scholarship to a private college in my area. The financial aid officer said that I'm eligible for additional competitive based scholarships if I write essays and participate in an interview. These scholarships range from $2,000 to $5,000 per year so wish me luck! At this point I still have $13,000 a year to pay, but with my parents contributing $4,000 a year, the MOST in loans I will have per year is $9,000 (but possibly less). I also hear that many hospitals around here offer $12,000 in loan forgiveness for nurses, so that'll be a big help. :)</p>
<p>Maura,
CONGRATULATIONS! That is absolutely fabulous news! Thanks for sharing it. Best of luck in getting the extra merit $, too. Let us know what happens with that.</p>
<p>And search for outside merit scholarships, too, because with good essays and interviews, I think you'd have a good chance of getting some: You have a lot of financial need, have met some tough challenges with your disability, and you're hard working, highly motivated, have good grades and are entering a profession that has a huge shortage of personnel.</p>