Moving Expenses

Paying for College
1

<p>Hey everyone!</p>

<p>I just want to say thanks in advance for any advice.</p>

<p>I am transferring to RIT, in Rochester, NY, from a community college on the west coast. I will be moving at the end of February. I'm on my own and don't have a place to go during holidays and summer breaks, so I have to actually move to New York to go to school. I have already paid for my plane ticket, but I am worried about stuff like food and rent once I get there.</p>

<p>My financial aid package covers my tuition, books, etc, and once I find a work study job and get my SMART grant I think it covers a good percent of living expenses. I don't know exactly how much until my final transcript has been evaluated and I've been granted 3rd year standing. Anyway, I obviously will not have a job when I get there and need to be able to rent an apartment right away. I want to be prepared for at least two months because I don't know how long it will take to find a job.</p>

<p>I have been trying to save money, but I only work part-time (~30 hours a week) and when school is in session (I work on campus). School has ended now, and I only have one paycheck left, so what little savings I do have may not even last. I'm hoping to find a full-time temp job and save some more before I go, but it is not looking good.</p>

<p>So, my question to the financial aid people around here is, is it common for the COA to be increased to cover moving expenses? I will call the financial aid office once they have updated my transcript, but I don't know how long that will take. I feel like I need $2800 cash on hand to be somewhat secure. I have a credit card with a $1500 limit and no balance, but I don't want to use that unless I have no other choice. The rate is really high (14.9%) and I would have to be able to make payments, and who knows how long it will take me to get a job once I am there. A private student loan would make more sense, lower rate and more time to pay it off. But is it possible to borrow above the cost of attendance for moving expenses? Are there grants for this type of thing? My EFC is 0.</p>

<p>For those who are wondering why I don't stay here and go to a state school, it is because the state schools here are really bad, and getting worse because of budget issues. Plus there are only two anyway and neither has the program I am interested in, Software Engineering. With my scholarships at RIT the cost is comparable and I think the benefit is much greater. And, rent is actually more expensive here, so I am hoping once I find a job in Rochester it might even be easier to live there.</p>

2

<p>It sounds like you have from now until the end of Feb to save this money. Perhaps you can pick up an assortment of “odd jobs”…babysitting, pet sitting, etc. and save that money. </p>

<p>Will you be back in school from Jan to end of Feb or are you out of school between now and end of Feb (I’m unclear about that)?</p>

<p>I hope the finaid folks chime in. I believe that some schools (not all) have a higher cost of attendance figure which includes more expensive TRAVEL costs for students who live far away. I’m not sure that any would increase aid to cover moving expenses. Simply put…LOTS of students are moving to their new college town.</p>

3

<p>Sorry for not being more clear.</p>

<p>I’m out of school. My old school is on a semester system and my new school is on a quarter system. Classes at RIT start in March. I will be working at my old school for one more month before I leave (end of January to end of February) but it will be less than 20 hours a week. </p>

<p>I’m going to temp agencies right now and trying to find a warehouse job until I leave (those are pretty much the only jobs in my area).</p>

<p>Since I am getting rid of all my stuff I am hoping to make most of what I need that way. (I’m a nontrad so I have a well established life here and a lot of “stuff”).</p>

4

<p>There is generally already an amount included in the COA for travel expenses. I don’t think a school would increase the COA to cover moving expenses as they are not really an education expense. But the best thing to do is ask your school as only they can give you a definitive answer.</p>

5

<p>The transportation costs included in my COA is only $100 a quarter. I assumed that was intended for a bus pass (which is $56/mo). LOL. That is what I am expected to move to NY on?</p>

6

<p>MathGirl…schools typically do NOT pay moving expenses. As I stated earlier…at a residential college EVERYONE is moving from their home to a different place of residence…either a dorm or an apartment. </p>

<p>Moving expenses are not something most colleges will consider…but you never know until you ask. Ask them and see.</p>

<p>My guess is they will tell you that these expenses are your responsibility…but you’ll not know until you ask THEM.</p>