No Pell, 0 EFC, already 22k in loans?

Paying for College
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<p>I've maxed out the pell due to the 600%, I have a zero EFC, claimed my daughter on taxes last year and have 22k in loans already.</p>

<p>I was just accepted to transfer from a CC with 64 credits to Local State U (University of Nevada, Reno). I'm just not sure what to do to pay for it. </p>

<p>COA for just tuition + fees + books is around 7500. I can pay $900 out of my own pocket from saving from my current temp job that I am working, for the fall, and $3500 out of pocket for the spring from savings bonds that will be available to cash out then.</p>

<p>My major is Poli Sci. GPA is 3.1. I plan to go to grad school at SJSU (I graduated from a California HS.) to earn a Masters of Urban Planning with a Certificate in Transportation and Land Use Planning. I'd like to go to work for any major transportation companies, or a State Department of Transportation as a Planner.</p>

<p>I have considered getting my substitute license and subbing to earn money to get me through. The licensing process could be completed by the time schools resume in the Fall, but will cost about $350. I am also looking for other work.</p>

<p>My idea is to attend part-time this fall, to save on funds and avoid taking out max loans, then go full-time in the spring, and take as many classes as is possible during the next summer and winter intersession to make up for the lesser class load this fall. </p>

<p>To add, I am 28, was an independent student due to being a Ward of the Court as a teen until age 18, and have attended school either full or part time for six school years since the 2003-04 year. </p>

<p>When I began attending CC again in 2009, I took out loans to pay for school and to live on, as my Ex-H had no interest in finding a job and I couldn't find one. When I left the abusive Ex-H in Fall 2010, DD was diagnosed with Autism and I was trying to hold on between helping her, living, and going to school. I received partial loans during Fall 2011, because I was only going part-time, then no aid at all during Spring 2012. </p>

<p>Scholarships would be offered for the 2012-13 year, provided my grades are superb.</p>

<p>Any other ideas?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>Anyone out there have any kind of advice for me?</p>

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<p>Polisci, it’s difficult and/or impossible for many of us to give advice since most of us are experienced in some way or other in financial aid and college for those coming directly out of college. Independent adults who are juggling school, family, work are truly a whole other story. Actually, you are in the majority. Most people do get through college bit by bit, part time, paying for it little by little. If lucky, you find a job that has a tuition reimbursement program. Often the trade off there is a lower salary. There is no easy answer to your question. It’s not an easy thing you have done and are aspiring to do. </p>

<p>What would I do in your situation? Probably go to school part time, work full time and try to find a job that would put me in position to earn more. I’d be very pragmatic about what courses to take and if it will get me a better paying job, unless I had a true passion about something. </p>

<p>Around here, substitute teaching does not pay much. I would check how long it would take to get your $350 back in wages to determine if that is worth while. </p>

<p>Look where you are in loans as well. You may be reaching limits there, if not in borrowing caps, in what you could feasibly repay and still have a living salary for a decent quality of life.</p>

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<p>You’re 28 years old. I don’t think you’d qualify for instate rates at a Calif state school anymore…even if you graduated from a US high school. You’re a resident of Nevada. </p>

<p>“My major is Poli Sci. GPA is 3.1. I plan to go to grad school at SJSU (I graduated from a California HS.) to earn a Masters of Urban Planning with a Certificate in Transportation and Land Use Planning. I’d like to go to work for any major transportation companies, or a State Department of Transportation as a Planner.”</p>

5

<p>I was told that AB540 was still a valid pathway by the powers that be over at SJSU. </p>

<p>Besides, that Graduate program doesn’t exist at any of the Nevada schools, so I’d HAVE to leave the state. Or go to Utah or Oregon. That’s what I’ve wanted to do, and between all of the unpaid internships I’ve done, scholarships I’ve received and volunteer work I’ve put so many hours into, I’d hate to put my dream on the backburner and let all of the work I’ve done in the past ten years go to waste. My only real thought about this is the fact that the Bay Area is SO expensive to live in…but perhaps, if I do land a job with tuition reimbursement, then perhaps I can go for that Grad degree.</p>

<p>If not, then I’ll try to get through it, two classes at a time.</p>

<p>My Ex-Husband now has custody of our daughter, and has made it clear that my presence and involvement in her life are not welcome. She misses me, but she thrives in the program that she is in at her school. Where ExH and his parents live, and where DD resides has no jobs at all. I try to see her as much as possible, but transportation and distance make that close to impossible.</p>

<p>Adding: That BA really means the difference here between $10 an hour clerical work and a decent job with benefits. So, since I am very good at Poli Sci, I want to continue to go for that degree. I’ve also done several internships and have been offered another in the spring, all with Local Government and with the State Legislature.</p>

<p>I have been offered the $350 for the sub license costs by a friend, so that is taken care of. Thank goodness. </p>

<p>I’ll probably just go part time for now…sub, look for full-time work, and try to finish that BA by any powers necessary…except for taking out more than $5000 in loans over the next two years.</p>

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<p>Thank you for your advice, both of you.</p>

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<p>What scholarship were you offered for 2012-13?</p>

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<p>Private Scholarship from a local club that I volunteer with and also another outside scholarship that you have to have graduated at least ten years ago and be a full-time student, with Senior standing with a 3.0 to receive. </p>

<p>There MAY be institutional, college and departmental scholarships as well, of course, based on my performance over the next year. UNR does not guarantee full needs met, but they are quite generous to their transfer students, which surprised me.</p>