<p>If I am lucky enough to be accepted to The Univesity of Chicago next fall, what are some ways that I can pay for it. My parents are not paying for my education and I have no money besides my $800.00 from my summer job. What can I do? I cannot file as an independant, I have applied for every scholarship I can find on the internet, I have landed a couple grants from my school system (5k), but other than that... Is UofC just not the place for me? It is my number one choice and I would do just about anything, which includes graduating 200k in debt, to attend. Thanks in advance,
MB</p>
<p>Michael:</p>
<p>NO school is worth that kind of undergraduate debt-- not even HYPS. Apply to Chicago for finaid, and see what happens. Good luck.</p>
<p>Are your parents not even willing to contribute even a little to your college education?</p>
<p>Do ROTC or NROTC. The application is due on Thursday, but it takes no time to fill out. ROTC give 80 grand in total and NROTC gives 150. It is harder, however, to get an NROTC scholarship.</p>
<p>You could always get a loan for the first year and then do ROTC or NROTC for the last few years.</p>
<p>Or you can get a loan, but the interest rates (I have heard) are really really bad.</p>
<p>I don't think any school would have an applicant not come because of money. That is stupid!</p>
<p>What is with your parents? I'm really sorry! It's not fair at all.</p>
<p>Yeah life isn't fair. But Financial Aid REALLY isn't fair because you have to be 23 to file as an independant, even though people like me get completely shafted. I'll just wait to see what happens and I'll check into the NROTC stuff. Is there any service obligation? I have a contigent appointment to West Point and my rents are really pushing it but I don't want a career in the military. I think this has to do with their unwillingness to cough up private school tuition. Thanks,
MB</p>
<p>Why aren't your parents paying? Do they not want you to go to college? The only true fix to this that I can think of is to have yourself legally emancipated (harsh, I know). If you don't want to do that, get every scholarship you can. Apply to some schools that you know would give you money, and make sure you like them. But also apply to UChicago and wherever else you want. If the school really wants you and you really want the school, I'm sure something can be worked out. It might not be pleasant, as it might involve a lot of work and big loans, but you won't graduate 200k in debt.</p>
<p>One other note: Make sure you don't pay for the application fees. The fee waiver does not come from FAFSA or anything like that. It comes from the guidance counselor who does not need to provide any proof of anything. All s/he has to do is sign a piece of paper saying that you can't pay.</p>
<p>If you haven't asked your guidance counselor about your situation already, do it ASAP. Even if they don't know what to do, make sure they get in contact with someone who does. Talk to the financial aid offices of the colleges you're applying to. I'm sorry to say it, but unfortunately, you're not the only one in this situation. Things have worked out for people in your situation before. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks for the great advice, unfortunately I can't legally seperate from them for many reasons: medical insurance, car insurance, they would hate me, etc.</p>
<p>I have, unfortunately, considered the possibility of my parents cutting off financial support because I'm gay. So, my sympathies are with you.</p>
<p>Talk to the school. I know that U of C grants merit aid, so you don't need to jump around the financial aid walls to get it. However, I think that you have to be spectacular in order to get anything of much value. Think hard about separating yourself from your parents. In Chicago, you won't need a car, and I think you can get student medical insurance pretty cheap. You can explain to them that you are only doing this in order to get financial aid. I may be wrong, but I'm not sure if Chicago has an ROTC program... but definitely look into it. I'm pretty sure that there is a service requirement, but it is not as long as the academies. Get in contact with the financial aid office of every school you are applying to and explain the situation; most probably have set ways they deal with this situation (they may not be helpful, though). Definitely worth a shot.</p>
<p>Besides that, get a high paying job during college. Follow your meal plan. Utilize free entertainment. I hate to say this, but city schools are very expensive because of all the "extras." Consider a school in a less expensive area (Cornell, Dartmouth). Apply to your best state school, and be happy with the fact that you can get an education at all. </p>
<p>Lastly, do not go that much in debt. You can get a fantastic education at a state school or at an easier school that is generous with scholarships for high achieving students. There are several schools that are free and a huge number that will give large scholarships to students at a higher caliber than those they normally attract. Talk to your GC to get ideas.</p>
<p>"But, Financial Aid REALLY isn't fair...."</p>
<p>Unfortunately, just because your parents will not pay for your college education, doesn't mean that society should have to. Look at it another way, IF society gave tuition scholarships to kids in your position, EVERY parent would refuse to pay for college -- thus, enabling their child to earn a full ride.</p>
<p>Suggest you use the CB efc calculator to see what your family contribution is expected to be. Then compare it to UofC's financial aid reports. Also, apply to good state schools, which can be considerably cheaper. Finally, look at less selective schools where a high stat kid is likely to earn a lot of merit money.</p>
<p>bluebayou, I completely understand your point. I wasn't stating that Financial Aid was unfair because of that reason. It's unfair because people like me (there are many many many more) get screwed. I think that it is stupid that people should be denied an education because of money. It just seems so unfair. But I can't complain, I live in Virginia and I have excellent state schools that I could go to, but I just REALLY want to go to Chicago. I guess William and Mary is pretty close though. corranged, I don't sympathize WITH you but I feel your pain. That is the more ridiculous reason to get cut off from your parents. I hope things work out. Good luck and thanks for the great advice, but anyone know anything about ROTC and service requirements?</p>
<p>why dont you simply call up the chicago fin aid office and see what they reccomend</p>
<p>why in the world would you apply to and get your hopes up for a private school when you know the perils of financial aid................add to that the situation with your parents? Did I miss something? I just don't get it. Lot's of people can't afford the things in life that they want.........................that's life. It's the same for having your heart set on a great school that is out of state.............when you know that you just can't make it happen financially.</p>
<p>I don't understand. Can't your parents just file for financial aid, and have you pay the rest? If your parents fill out all of the financial aid forms you could recieve federal grants and loans, which will reduce the cost. That way you won't have to pay as much. Would you mind explaining why your parents will not pay?</p>
<p>That's what I am planning on doing currently, but I can't do this is I am legally seperated and what not. That is still a lot of money to pay however, I was just wondering if anyone had encountered the same problem and what they did. Chicago isn't listed on the ROTC or NROTC sites so I'm assuming these scholarships are out of the picture? As for applying, I am dead set on making it happen and I've had enough people tell me it can't already. I'll call their office this week but all these grants, loans, and formulas hurt my head. Plus a college isn't going to sympathize with a family 100% able to pay but just not willing to pay. Thanks,
MB</p>
<p>Chicago does offer ROTC in a joint program with U of Illinois at Chicago.</p>
<p>Chicago, however, doesn't offer NROTC.</p>
<p>Look into University of Illinois at UC. It is no. 1 in accounting in AMERICA. They also have a good engineering program. A friend of mine could only afford UIUC, but he then got into Stanford Engineering. So a state school really isn't that bad. If you PM me, maybe I can help you more specifically.</p>
<p>It is my belief that you take a much greater value from your education if you pay for it yourself. I have five older siblings who all paid their way through school. All went to universities outside of our home state and all managed to pay the high out of state tuition on their own. One even paid her way through Law school and another is working her way through medical school. And as shocking as this is they did not receive any aid from my parents. Yes some of them have debt but if you set your mind to something it can be done. </p>
<p>I think that you should just apply and see what type of aid offer they make. That is what I am going to do since I can't afford to pay that kind of tuition either. I am applying to a lot of schools that I can't afford with the hopes that one of them will be generous. Good luck.</p>
<p>two things</p>
<ol>
<li>File for financial aid as a dependant.</li>
<li>If your parents have the money, they should contribute some to your education.</li>
</ol>
<p>Just my two cents</p>
<p>I agree with you- it is unfair. The middle class gets shafted, and students whose parents refuse to help also get shafted. It sounds as if you are a junior now, and will be applying in fall 2006, correct? Luckily, you have time to do some strategizing and planning. Do you know for sure whether or not you qualify for any need-based aid? If you have a general idea of your parents' income, you can use one of the free online FAFSA estimate tools. Even people with pretty good income can qualify. Another thing to consider- you may be able to graduate in three years. That would mean fewer loans. Also, some people take a year off to work after their first or second year, and graduate with their class at the correct time. If your parents are low-income, you may receive a lot of aid, and avoid any major financial problems. If all else fails, you could attend a state school or another cheaper school for a year or so, and then transfer in.</p>