<p>My boyfriend isn't coming back to Ohio State this quarter because of money issues. He's been looking for ways to find the money to pay for school but so far he can't find anything. His family was paying for him to go, but that didn't last for too long because they're seriously poor. Honestly, I don't know what they were thinking but whatever. He tried to find a loan but pretty much everyone in his family has horrible credit so there's really nobody to cosign the loan for him. He might have to go to community college back home in Virginia for a year, but he wants more than anything to come back to OSU next quarter. He's a theatre and French major, and he's so bright, one of the smartest people I know, and he really deserves to be here. I don't think it's fair that he shouldn't get this because there's no way for him to pay for it. I wish I could do something to help him, but so far I've come up with nothing.</p>
<p>He's a freshman, by the way.</p>
<p>If he doesn't have anyone to borrow money from, and he can't take out a loan because of the ridiculously high interest rates, what other options are there besides going to a cheaper school?</p>
<p>Basically there really arent many options besides Finaid , scholarships, or private loans. It is not impossible to get a private loan w/out a cosigner but the high interest rates is just something he has to accept.</p>
<p>He should go meet with the financial aid department- if he qualifies for loans, then the student loans through the school (Stafford, etc) have lower interest rates and no payments during school. They can tell him his options</p>
<p>By getting a rejection for Plus he can qualify for additional Stafford loans. Is this kid a Pell Grant recipient? Has he qualified for low income grants/loans?</p>
<p>I hate to say it...but his best option might be one of the terrific state universities in Virginia. The cost of OOS for Ohio State is surely very high compared to the instate costs in VA. Is there a state university in VA that is close to where the family lives? I know he (and you) want him to be at Ohio State, but if he's paying OOS tuition and fees, that is quite costly. Has he spoken to the financial aid folks at OSU? Maybe there are departmental scholarships for upperclassmen?</p>
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He might have to go to community college back home in Virginia for a year, but he wants more than anything to come back to OSU next quarter.
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His family was paying for him to go, but that didn't last for too long because they're seriously poor. Honestly, I don't know what they were thinking but whatever.
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<p>The better question is what was your boyfriend thinking? He knew coming out of the gate unless he had a serious long pass or rushing game, being an oos student, that money wasn't exactly flowing from Ohio State in his acceptance letter and his family was not going to become wealthy any time soon.</p>
<p>I agree with thumper if he is looking at massive loans and this is only freshman year, he should seriously consider transferring to one of the state universities in VA.</p>
<p>If you really care about him you would want the best for hime. This means that you would not want him to ruin his future (and possibly yours) being burdened down with a massive amount of debt. Work on a long distance relationship, or if you really feel that you must be together, if your parents can foot the bill, you transfer to Va.</p>
<p>With the need-based aid he's receiving it would only be a couple thousand a quarter, which is significantly less than what I'm paying, and I'm an in-state student. It's just that his family can't pay even that right now.</p>
<p>He's smart and is fortunate to have residence in Virginia, which has some of the best public universities in the country, including some that are ranked higher than OSU. He has next to no chances of getting the financial aid, loans or earning money from a semester-long or summer job to afford OSU, so he needs to return to his home state and attend a higher education institution that he can afford.</p>
<p>I agree with the person who said that if your relationship is important to both of you, either figure out a way to have a long distance relationship (which is possible. I know people who had long distance relationships while in college, and afterward got married and still are together decades later) or if you can afford to do it it and it fits into your educational goals, transfer to a school near where he ends up.</p>
<p>We've been looking for some ways he can get back on track financially. So far, the best I have been able to come up with is to apply for a parent PLUS loan. Since his parents have terrible credit, they will likely be denied the PLUS loan, making him eligible for an additional $4000 in a federal loan. So he would only be paying $7,000 a year instead of $11,000. He doesn't have easy access to internet back at home, so he hasn't been able to download the loan application or anything.</p>
<p>Also, we found some scholarships that he can apply for and use next year when he comes back to OSU.</p>
<p>I found a position available this summer organizing meals, etc. for the various camps and stuff that happens here at OSU during the summer. It pays $3,000 for the summer, and you get free housing and meals. I think taking the job would be worth it.</p>
<p>Also, for next year, there is a program here that covers part of the cost of housing and meals in exchange for about 50 hours of work per quarter. I'm not sure how much it covers, but if it reduces his expenses, then it can help.</p>
<p>Please pray for him, to help him find some way to straighten out his finances so he can pursue his dreams.</p>
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<p>he would only be paying $7,000 a year instead of $11,000.>></p>
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<p>For now! You know...that loan DOES need to be repaid. What is troubling to me about your posts is that YOU are doing all of the legwork..YOU are finding funding sources, YOU are suggesting PLUS loans (which by the way HE can't apply for...his parents MUST do this), and YOU are finding summer work. I will say, I don't know the whole story here...but HE should be doing all of this legwork. If he's smart and capable as you say, HE should be in the driver's seat solving his financial aid problems. You are a student and you should be attending to your own student needs. I know you are being a good friend, but this is my opinion.</p>
<p>I still think that you living in your own head and you don't seem to care about this person's financial situation</p>
<p>You state his family has terrible credit and can't get a plus loan.</p>
<p>you are acting like it is nothing for him to take out and additional $4000 on top of what ever loans he already has This fella needs to go to a school that he can afford and apparently it is not this one. </p>
<p>at this rate he will be borring 8500 sophomore year
9500 junior year
9500 senior year
this is already $27,500 on top of what he may need to borrow to complete freshman year.</p>
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Please pray for him, to help him find some way to straighten out his finances so he can pursue his dreams.
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<p>Sometimes God will answer your prayer and show you that there is another way. God does not bless you with something that in the long range will be a curse to you. He will be 22 years old with over 30k in debt.</p>
<p>Have to concur with the majority of posters.....Virginia has some EXCELLENT public universities that also have programs available to offset costs of lower income students. UVA has Access UVA and William and Mary has Gateway. If his parents earn around $40K, tuition, room, and board could be covered in full.</p>