I didn’t know where else to turn to and I need some guidance besides “get a job and work for it”. I’m a dropout that couldn’t re-attend due to financial issues in 2015-2016 and now owe roughly $16,000 in past due university loans due to my family’s credit being unable to qualify for FAFSA. Then in the fall of 2016 I attended the local community college for 1 semester with qualifying FAFSA, when asked for my official transcript I couldn’t produce it due to financial hold. From then until now I was unable to pay either the university or the FAFSA due to familial hardships. Now that everything has stabilized at home both emotional and financial, I’m able to reattend at the age of 24. Unfortunately I still owe the money, but I’m already so far behind. Am I able to apply for some grant, scholarship, or anything to help allow me to pursue higher education. Any help would be appreciated, as I have no one else to turn to.
From what you’ve written, it appears that you already have defaulted on college loans, and are now 24 years old and would like to go back to college.
Do you have any plan where you would like to go? I’m assuming that you would go to the local community college or local 4 yr state college, while living at home, and working a part time job. If this is the case, you had best go to the financial aid office there and speak with them about what your options are. You should also speak with your lender, and ask what you can do to get back into good standing on your defaulted loans. If you can get back into good standing, you would become eligible for further federal loans.
You are going to need to start making payments, which implies that you will need to get a job, earn money, so that you can begin making payments.
I am actually, I’m very interested in attending University of Texas at Arlington and staying in the dorms. My former university was the University of Texas at Tyler. How would I about it? Would I speak to the the registrars? Also, should I try speaking to the new UT Arlington first? I greatly appreciate your help.
The first thing for you to do IS, I’m sorry to tell you, to begin repayment on your loans to get back into good standing. That means going out and getting the best-paying jobs (and that plural wasn’t an accident) that you can, to earn the most that you can, and start repaying the loans. Once you get back into good standing, you would likely be eligible to borrow more - not, in my opinion, the wisest thing to do, and if you’re going to do it, keep it to a minimum. For this reason, if it is at all possible to live at home while attending a commutable public college, that would be the smartest way to go about it. If you can get any of your gen eds out of the way for the targeted school by doing free CLEP courses with modernstates.org, you should.
What do you want to study, and towards what employment/career goal?
With Covid and everything going on, I would like to try to find an at home job for now along with potentially donating plasma. Ultimately I wish to major in Nursing or even potentially continue my former Pre-Med major.
Texas is now open for 16+ to get vaccine, so you can get immunized now and get out safely. Honestly, if you do not get back in good standing on your defaulted loan, you won’t be able to borrow more. Perhaps you should look into community college RN near you, then you can do the BSN while working, with your employer paying for it.
May I ask what you have been doing since you dropped out, 4 or 5 years ago? Of course, the pandemic messed up everyone, but what was going on for you before that? Were you working then?
You can’t enroll at another college until you can get a transcript from UT Tyler…which will require paying off the loan or negotiating a payment plan with them. Are the loans federal loans or through the school, or both? Regardless the school registrar is the person you should call first.
I think the highlights have been hit. Every college asks for transcripts from ANY previous college courses. Until you make arrangements to pay the Bill, this school will not release your transcript.
OP can’t attend CC until they can get a transcript from UT Tyler, which will require loan repayment or negotiation of a payment plan.
Are you able to get a bank loan? A revolving line of credit could let you off the hook if you can make the minimum payments. You could also talk to the university about a payment plan. This is probably the better option of the two, since you wouldn’t be dealing with as much interest. As long as you’re making payments, you should be fine.
Unfortunately I can’t attend any institution due to them all requiring an official transcript, and my debt is putting a financial hold on it. I was working helping at home financially, but was unable to contribute any to my student debt. Last year I was let go due to the pandemic, I did my best to find a new a job but I couldn’t. Everything at home has finally settled, and that’s why I believe I can return with a peace of mind. I will say, I’ve seen several scholarships that are intended for returning non-traditional students that have been out of school for years. Do you think they could potentially be used to my owed money?
UT Tyler’s loans were through the school, so how would I go about it? Last time I spoke with them, they denied me any chance for a plan. They had said I was unable to do anything having been put in collections already. Do you think there’s a potential work around with a scholarship? or even a way to negotiate a new plan with them?
Admittedly, having been through years of heavy financial and emotional burden already I was hoping there was a way to fix this. Would there be key arrangements I can make to speed up the process?
Would there be any recommended revolving credit line services you can suggest? I know it’s preferred, but I’ve been shut down by them before due to having already being in collections. I just really need to get a method if anything.
Regarding transcript holds due to unpaid debt, a few states are starting to outlaw this but not apparently Texas. Colleges are withholding transcripts from millions over unpaid bills
@TexasStudent00 please contact your college. Many are willing to make payment arrangements. You need to talk to them.
I don’t think that there is any way to borrow more money for school, until this is resolved with the UT