In real trouble

<p>I am from a single parent home with 5 kids. I am currently attending a CC, my mother has no income, a 0 efc. I am getting a pell grant that covers my cost of tuition, I will not receive my pell grant until the end of the semester and am facing a pretty bad situation. I need to get food, etc, etc for myself and since the school has me listed as a dependent my full cost of attendance is apparently being met, however I can not afford to stay in school and help with the bills around the house. Would I qualify for a federal Stafford loan? MY total cost of attendance is being met but I need the extra cash just to get by, I have been looking for a job but can not seem to find anything to help me with this. I face defaulting on some credit cards, i don't have the money to meet the minimum payments. My mother's credit isn't great. Any advice would be really helpful, if I don't get the financial assistance real soon I face dropping out in the middle of the semester and most likely not returning due to financial need.</p>

<p>if you are a freshman, you are eligible for a 3500 stafford loan and if your mother can't get a plus loan, you will be able to get an additional 4K in stafford loans
talk to your FA people immediately</p>

<p>I don't know enough to give any advice, but just wanted to say I really, really wish you well and hope you can work something out. I think Sue is right that you should talk to the Financial Aid office about your situation. Please let us know how things turn out.</p>

<p>every one qualifies for a stafford loan, even Bill gates.
Talk to finaid, they may be able to help with finding a job on campus that pays well.
Also there may be scholarships for your program at the CC that you don't know about.
good luck.</p>

<p>Not all community college attendees qualify for loans. You will need to speak with your Financial Aid Counselor to determine if you have any eligibility. Eligibility for loans will depend on the total cost of attendance, based on the schools methodology minus any grants and scholarships you are receiving. Also, some community colleges flat out refuse to process Stafford Loans...and require students to take out alternative loans. I do not know how they get away with this...but somehow they are.</p>