<p>Is there nothing I can do??? Do i seriously have to give up my columbia dreams because of unwilling parents and a broken system? Do I need parental consent to take out loans, too???</p>
<p>As a rising junior you can take out a 7.5k Direct loan in your own name, but that’s it</p>
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<p>The system is not broken because at the end of the day, your parents are first in line when it comes to paying for your (their child’s) college education. You/your parents unwillingness to pay is essentially saying “let someone else’s parents pay for your education”. Where do you think that money for institutional/federal/state aid comes from? Other people’s parents; taxpayers, alumni, parents, grand parents who give to the college and help fund the endowment.</p>
<p>I know you said that you don’t want to hear about finding a workable solution to get a long with your parents, but it is your choice as to whether you want to win the battle and lose the war. Until you turn 24, get married, join the military or have a child that you pay for more than half of their support, you are going to need your parents and their cooperation to get funding for school (especially Columbia).</p>
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<p>The loan would be unsubsidized</p>
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<p>If your parents are abusive and you are in danger from them, then you should leave and seek asylum of some sort. If you have friends with whom you can stay, do so. Let your school counselor and whatever social services that can be involved know, and you can then take steps to truly divorce yourself from your parents. That you are still living with them when they are so terrible is something that will make someone wonder why. </p>
<p>Too many times, young adult have a very rocky split from their parents, and most families have some element of dysfunction and even abuse. When it goes beyond a point that is tolerable for the parents or child, the child is either “thrown out” or leaves. Under such circustances, authorities can deem you as homeless. That way you can be free for FAFSA purposes of your parents. </p>
<p>But that is a serious step as it is a fail save valve for those who are truly in danger and cannot live with their parents. Parents refusing to pay for college or cooperate with the college process are not abusive parents by that definition. Happens all of the time.</p>
<p>Is the system broken? That I don’t know It’s not fair. There are a lot of areas where it is not fair That a parent is considered the main source for financial support during college years is not fair. I suppose that all kids should be put on equal footing with out regard to their parents for financial aid, but when on takes that path, the ones whose parents are will to help them are still going to win out. Say, everyone accepted to Columbia has to take out a loan for the full amount. Then those whose parents have the money will simply repay that loan for their children and those students who are the most needy will be stuck with a quarter million dollar debt that their parents cannot help repay and the inequity of life will be even more pronounced than with our current system where such students are given financial aid according to an imperfect formula that still does manage to reach MOST, not all but MOST of those who are the most needy and yet still have managed to get into a highly competitive school. </p>
<p>I’ve yet to be able to come up with a fool proof way around the system. These expensive schools tend to be private and they can make whatever rules they wish, remember. Where I want to see the changes are in the community colleges and local schools so that more folks can avail themselves of those resources and that these school get souped up to provide stellar educations. </p>
<p>As for you, if your parents will complete the FAFSA and PROFILE or give you the info to do so, the most you will get in terms of financial aid will be based on their ability to pay as evidenced by tax return and asset information, and that only from those schools that will meet full need. You would have to be very low income with an EFC in the $5K range for PELL and the max pell is $5600 with a zero EFC. TAP is eligible up to $80k of family income and is graduated by the income levels. Your can borrow up to $5500 from Staffords as a freshman and up to $7500 as a senior and there is a subsidized portion dictated by need but the amounts are the same whether you need the amounts are not. </p>
<p>IF your parents flat out refuse to fill out anything, you get only the Staffords and only unsubsidized.</p>
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<p>NYS does not emancipate minors. OP is already in college attending Fordham, where OP states that parents have already borrowed quite a bit of money for him to attend school there. Op is most likely already 18 years old and considered an adult (except for getting financial aid).</p>
<p>ok guys, so does anyone know how good queens college is academically? I know I’m receiving an amazing education at fordham but I want to know how good queens is and of the quality of it’s education. Anyone here ever been there?</p>
<p>Queens college is very good academically. However, City is stronger for engineering.</p>
<p>yes, I’ve heard but I just want to finish my 3-2 engineering dream. Thanks for your input though- I’m just worried that queens college may not adequately prepare me. I know fordham is a great school with a great liberal arts education and it depresses to have to leave that :(</p>