<p>I am new here even though I used to browse and read stuff on here so I figured I should sign up and get some help my self.</p>
<p>Anyway let me tell you about my self. I am an in state Penn state freshman and currently doing my 1st semester and in $3000 debt already. Each semester costs around $6000 and I got around $1.5k grant and I have to pay the $2000 out of pocket. Recently my family got hit by the financial crisis, and my dad lost his job. He made enough to support the family during my high school time, but now me in college was even tougher on him since have to pay for books and other college BS....He asked me to quit penn state after this semester and transfer to my local community college since its cheaper and he also told me to pay off my debt from my savings since he doesn't wana see my future getting screwed up cause of it. I personally dislike community colleges i just don't know why but I do. I never really tried in high school and now its coming back to me hard...the things i tried to push away... I am regretting all the time I wasted and wish I could go back and change it. My SAT's and ACT were not great didn't land me a scholarship to anywhere. "sorry dad I know your not proud of me" but I think life is giving me another chance. </p>
<p>My plan is to quit penn state after this semester and transfer to my community college and do my 2nd semester and also take summer classes. I also plan on taking my SAT's again this December because I am working my ass off and studying for it. My high school GPA was 2.75 but my 1st semester GPA is 3.7 and I plan on working harder. hopefully I get a 2000 or above on my SAT's because I have to get a scholarship to some good college and fulfill my dream and my dads dream. I have to transfer by the end of Summer. I have some colleges in mind...Drexel University, Florida state university, University of Southern California, Carnegie Mellon University, MIT(I highly doubt it :P)...</p>
<p>My question is do you think I can get a scholarship as a transfer student to these colleges and any chance I can get a full ride even half ride I will take it...</p>
<p>P.S. If your a high school student and reading this, I hope you learn from this and not make the mistake I did. this is not a situation you wana be in during your college time. college should be fun and educational without worries except work hard when it comes to studying.</p>
<p>Most of the merit money goes to freshman, not transfers. And most colleges don’t ask for SATs from transfer students. </p>
<p>It sounds like you’re instate for Penn State. I don’t understand how you think those privates or out-of-state schools would be more affordable. Community college to an instate 4-year is going to be your cheapest option. Get a job and save money to cut down on costs.</p>
<p>Every year several of the graduates of our local community college transfer to private universities that have good need-based aid for transfers, receive significant scholarships based on their GPA at institutions that offer those kinds of scholarships, or receive guaranteed scholarships (along the $1,000 - $2,000/year range) for community college transfers who belong to Phi Theta Kappa. So I do know that this can be done. To find out if this is possible from the community college that you plan to attend, send an email to the Transfer Advisor there, and ask.</p>
<p>The required GPA, the scholarship value, and the likelihood of getting a scholarship vary quite a lot by school. </p>
<p>Many schools have small ($1,000-$2,000/year) automatic scholarships for Phi Theta Kappa members or transfers with a certain GPA threshold. Larger scholarships are available at a few schools, in very limited numbers.</p>
<p>I was reading about the aid and people said they won’t change the aid situation because they expect that the parent will find a job soon. Well my parents think that the loan will increase on its own even if I don’t borrow from them…that’s why they want me to get rid of it…</p>
<p>If you have taken out an unsubsidized student loan, then yes, the interest is accumulating. Run the loan repayment calculator at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) to get an idea of how fast it is growing.</p>
<p>That said, you need to think about the amount you have in savings right now, how much you can expect to earn during the school year and the summer, and how much you will need to pay next year, and for the following years. It may make sense to take out small student loans so that you can finish your studies more rapidly.</p>
<p>What is your major? If you are in a good major and you are In-state at Penn state and get 3.7 GPA, I wouldn’t transfer anywhere else. You are not going to get into a better situation, academic and financial wise.</p>
<p>It’s very difficult to get scholarship as a transfer student and they don’t care about SAT now that you are a college student. If you do real well at CC, you may get a little money from the schools you mention but it will still be more than In-state at Penn St.</p>
<p>Does 6K a semester include everything? If yes, it is a small price to pay. Take out loans, you can pay them later. If you quit and go to CC, you still have to pay. It’s less but not that much less.
You still have to come back to a reputable university in 1 1/2 year when the cost is the same or more. If not you have less chance to get a good job for the rest of your life.</p>
<p>Not sure I understand what you gain by leaving a 12k school with a goal of a 55k school. You would need a heap of finaid to get another school down to that level. And, as noted, transfers just aren’t at the head of the line for good finaid.</p>
<p>I also don’t know why you haven’t spoken with the PSU finaid folks- yes, there is a sense a parent could get a replacement job, but you can- and should- ask what help is available.</p>
<p>4kids, I thought the same thing since school just started. Perhaps this is how he is doing on his/her first exam for one class. Op has no idea how things will flesh out in December, when it is time for finals (keeping fingers crossed that s/he can maintain the 3.7).</p>
<p>The family has had a significant change in income. One person is unemployed. The STUDENT cannot take out loans in his/her own name in excess of the Direct Loans ($5500 for the full year for a freshman). If the student is able to commute to a community college, he/she will also save room/board costs at Penn State. It sounds like the parents are not able or willing to cosign a loan for this student…and you know…we were FULLY employed and would not cosign college loans.</p>
<p>This student can go to the community college for the full two years. It is likely that the CC has an articulation agreement with more than one of the PA instate public universities, meaning that credits will transfer and the student will be accepted following completion of the CC courses satisfactorily. After the community college, this student can then go to the more expensive four year school to get their degree.</p>
<p>I know many students with much higher GPAs who did NOT get accepted to the Penn State main campus. Is that where you are going? If so, what WERE your SAT scores…just curious?</p>
<p>My 1st semester gpa as of right now is 3.7…my finals yes I am worried about them but fingers crossed I will hopefully ace them.</p>
<p>what is worrying me is the unsubsidized loan on me. I have 2 types of loans on me one is subsidized and then the unsubsidized. unsubsidized loan like someone said before the interest is accumulating and I dont want that. I dont want a loan that will add up interest duing my college time and when i get out it will be like $100k or something. as long as the loan doesnt accumulate interest until i get out of college I am fine with it.</p>
<p>The point my parents tryna make is that if i got to CC right now I wont have a loan on me because my CC costs around like $2700 per semester for 18 credits and it is barely but affordable for my parents.</p>
<p>I personally think as long as the loan on me doesnt accumulate interest I am fine with it but I know i have a small amount of unsub loan on me and I need to get rid of it and dont want another one for next semester, but I would also like to get some kind of a scholarship if i could get one.</p>
<p>You can pay the interest as you go on those unsubsidized loans…then you won’t have the interest added and compounding. </p>
<p>Still, you will have NO loans if you go to the community college. Find out if your community college has an articulation agreement with Penn State. Taking your general education requirements at a CC is an option many take advantage of to save money.</p>