I’m a junior who’s been dorming at my instate uni since I started right after I graduated high school. My house is really far from my uni, 2 hours by bus, 1-1.5hours by car because of traffic and 40-50mins if there isnt. I’m still learning how to drive and need to save money to buy a car too. I’ve had few scholarships, but mainly I’ve been taking out student loans. Over the summer I took an intensive class, I was able to keep up and hold down a part-time job but it really did wear me out. I use my earnings to help me with groceries and try to save on the side for that car downpayment.
I had doubts about dorming again because of the cost and does kind of get depressing, home definately feels better. I told myself I’d just make sure to learn how to drive so next year it won’t be such a problem.
My dad had a stroke 2 weeks ago. His motor skills are fine, but he’s still disoriented and can’t talk. He was the one who would take me to my dorm and help me run my errands when I would go home on the weekends. My mom can’t do that because she can’t drive. I was thinking about moving back home to save money, spend more time with him and to help my mom out in taking care of him too.
Here’s the catch: if I cancel my dorm contract before the end of the school year, I’ll get a penalty of 60% on my refund. My refund is calculated by when I move out to when the dorm contract ends. It’s possible to get it waived because of these circumstances, but it’s not certain.
If I move back home I could save about 6-7k if I get the fee waived and spend more time with my dad. If the fee isn’t waived I’d just get about 3k back.
You could ask. Let them know about your family situation. I’m sorry about your dad. Hope he improves soon. Can your mom learn to drive? At least around town?
@ab109753
I’m really sorry to hear about your dad. That is a lot of weight on your shoulders. If you have not done so already, the first order of business is to make an appointment to meet with your academic advisor and update them re: your personal situation. They are here to help you, and may be an invaluable resource as you move forward.
So sorry to hear about your father. While moving home may be desirable to help out, it will likely by difficult to continue classes full time and commute up to 4 hours a day for said classes. Maybe taking a semester off to regroup would make more sense.
Strokes are typically a slow recovery. As the others have said, go to you advisor, tell them that your dad has had a stroke and you are needed at home (& you are). Ask if you can get a waiver on the dorm contract after this semester- they may well be able to re-use the room for the spring semester. Be prepared, be polite and be clear about what, exactly you are asking for.
If your house is “really far,” I’m not sure if the savings from room and board are going to make up for the fact that you’ll be commuting three hours every day. And you’re still learning how to drive? That’s a lot of solo driving for someone who’s just recently learned or is still learning.
I admire that you want to go home and help during this family crisis. However, have you fully discussed your options with your mother? Does she feel that this is the right course of action? Keeping up with your school work while commuting and helping at home will be difficult. Can you lighten your course load? Can your family afford the cost of commuting? I assume you could use the family car but there will be insurance, maintenance, gas and parking cost.
Make sure you understand your loan repayment options if you take time off.