<p>I was just listening to public radio yesterday- to a true story about a young man who was gay and his father who was Palestinian and who jsut could not deal with it.
His wife ended up leaving him- because the dad was upset to the point where he wanted to marry another woman who was young enough to have another child- ( after his son didn't take him up on his offer to sell all his land in order to enter a hospital and be "cured")
Anyway- the mother was staying with her son and his friends- who she liked very much- although her husband still wrote her almost everyday
However- the last letter that came- stated that he had married another woman- this shocked the mother so much that she became amnesiac.
So going to Vegas when a spouse suddenly dies- actually seems relatively restrained in terms of response.</p>
<p>First, I am so sorry for your loss. I lost my dad when I was in my late teens also, but in those days Social Security continued through college, greatly easing the financial burden. I'm rooting for you to hang tough and pursue your dreams at Penn., and a thought about financial aide just occurred to me. If you were to attend Penn. financing yourself completely freshman year through loans and work (and hopefully an increased grant) with no contribution from your mom, paying your own taxes and supporting yourself so that your mom couldn't use you as a tax dependent, would Penn. then reconsider your financial status for the following years in terms of your own resources only, and not your mom's 500K, house, etc.? If this is the case, then Penn. might see your need as far greater the following three years and increase your grant accordingly. Meanwhile, I'm joining your many CC supporters in hoping for good news from Penn. on Monday.</p>
<p>Penn was not able to lower my numbers, but the man we've been speaking to said that I should talk to him directly when I get there late August/early September, and they will try to bring the pricetag down to around 4.7K.</p>
<p>That sounds like great news. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Legendofmax. A very hopeful sign! The EFC should be quite doable.</p>
<p>Legend, thanks for the update. How do you feel?</p>
<p>Legend,
Glad to hear it - we are all rooting for you!</p>
<p>Hi LegendofMax ... sorry about your loss ... what a tough time to hve to work through. I think the loan from your mom is a great idea ... here is one more suggestion. If your mom has invested the $500k from insurance conservatively (for example, in the bank or certificates of deposit or bonds) then perhaps she'll consider loaning you the money and only requiring you to pay interest ... this make your monthly payment much-much lower and allows her to receive an income stream similar to a bank account or cerificate of deposit or bond. (PS - I agree with Northstarmom about writing explicitly the terms of the loan to avoid future misunderstandings).</p>
<p>Is it possible to take out loans (in addition to student loans) if parents are unwilling to co-sign?</p>
<p>Woo hoo Max! Well done on making that connection. Be sure to follow up with an email thank you--and schedule an appointment shortly after you arrive.</p>
<p>Ask and ye shall receive!</p>
<p>Well done on Penn too.</p>