Overrall advice needed

<p>When the fafsa4caster asks you how long have you attented college. I have been going to community college for a horrible 5+ years so i chose 5th year/undergraduate. Is this correct or are they only counting universities?</p>

<p>got an EFC of 0, it said I would pay $0 in instate school (estimated 16k cost) and about 6k in out of state (assuming out of state is 25k total costs)</p>

<p>My question is, how accurate is this? I desperately want to move out of state but im low income like you can see. I got no savings, my parents got no savings. My gpa is a horrible 2.5 so I don't even know where to apply for fall 08 out of state. The thing is I will always stay a slacker as long as I stay home and don't move out on my own. I need to do this for my own good. My only worry is being able to pay for it.</p>

<p>Where can I apply that would take an average joe with an average gpa? or is my gpa too horrible to get anywhere decent? I read in this forum that I only get like 4 application fee waivers and I can't afford to pay for any on my own so I need to know. I'm majoring in english btw.</p>

<p>Well...have you completed an associates degree from your community college? How many total college YEARS (not total years of attendance) have you completed? If you attended CC part time, you are NOT a fifth year undergrad. That would be for someone who has completed four FULL TIME years of undergrad school. I would suggest that you complete an associates degree at the CC. Does your CC have a relationship with any four year schools to accept credits? That would be a good place to start.</p>

<p>I'm kind of a complicated case. I would have to ask my counselor how many full years I have been going although I think i might be a junior transfer. I have been going to community college for 5+ years. I don't have any degrees from there since I have changed majors and never really knew what I wanted to do. My community college does have a relationship with my local univ but my local uni is very competitive and my chances of getting in are all down to luck at this point (applying for fall 08). I am a procrastinator, I am unmotivated from going to the same place for so long I can't stand it anymore. I want to move out of state and live in a dorm. The longer I stay home with mother taking care of me and so many distractions the more I will continue being a slacker. I want to go to a real college and have a real college experience.</p>

<p>Joe, If you've been attending CC for five years, you have to be close to 22 or 23 years old. Yours will not be a "traditional college experience" no matter what. You need to remember that most students living in college dorms are 18 and 19...some 20. And there are PLENTY of distractions in college too.</p>

<p>I think you need to get some direction. Look at the courses and try to figure out what you want to do. If you are really 22 or 23...you might be viewed as a non-traditional student at some schools. The only courses most universities allow for transfer are ones that fulfill general education requirements. Don't take too many courses (see another thread around somewhere from a student who did that and is having trouble matriculating at a four year school...not sure how universal that problem is).</p>

<p>I'm 24. Ive taken tons of courses. I just want to get out of community college I don't have the will to be there anymore. I don't care if it's a dorm or living off campus. I didn't know they had age restrictions for dorms although im guessing they don't but you're implying that it would be awkward living with 19 year olds. I don't think that is my best bet.</p>

<p>I've done all my general ed stuff. My counselor told me it will be all down to luck with me getting into my local uni and he told me that I have a better chance out of state. I personally rather move out of state and won't be applying to any other instate universities. I just don't know where to apply and i'm running out of time.</p>

<p>Joe, are there any other instate universities in your state that are not in the town in which you reside? Most states have a couple of levels of state universities. There is the flagship university or university system, and then usually some state colleges or smaller state universities. This could be an option for you and the cost would be more modest. Also as a 24 year old, you could be considered a non-traditional college student, and might actually qualify for admittance as such. Talk to your counselor about this.</p>

<p>Thanks for answering my questions thumper, as dumb as they may be. What do you mean qualify for admittance as a non-traditional student?? you mean they won't take into consideration my gpa or something? forgive me for being ignorant. I personally want to move out of state in order to start a new life and put my 5+ horrible years of CC behind me. I dread everyday I have to keep going to this place. I'm applying to my local uni and thinking of applying to an out of state college with high acceptance rates. I don't know where to apply though.</p>

<p>Joenobody, </p>

<p>IF I may ask, what state do you currently live in and what type of degree are you most interested in? Some colleges have special programs designed for non-traditional, adult students like yourself....and you wouldn't have the awkwardness of living with 18-20 year olds.</p>

<p>Nikkiil, things have changed now. My family and I are moving out of state. I will only be applying to colleges in affordable states (oregon, new mexico, west virginia) so i won't need to live in a dorm nor do I want to. My fafsa4caster said that I would qualify for enough financial aid to cover most of my education in an out of state school (would have to pay an estimated 6k or so) which is doable.</p>

<p>Joenobody-My s also transferred as a 24 year old after more than 4 years at community college. He applied in state public, and his financial aid was awarded as an independent student. I guess it depends which state you are applying to, but here, his efc=0; he was given a budget of 14K per year. His fees are paid for, and he has grants to cover books and about 1.5K more. Approximately 9K is loans, so keep that in mind. He takes part of the loans and has a part-time job. We live in a very expensive state, (cali), so it is certainly possible to do what you are trying to do.</p>