<p>My parents are bankrupt and cannot help me pay for school although my EFC is $16,500 in reality its $0.00 I work part-time and have to be listed as dependent so I can continue to get counseling for ADHD (medication too) and Depression (getting better) from my parents health insurance they filed chapter 13 and income hasn't changed. My dad is horrible with finances and makes over $90,000 but he can't seem to balance the budget. I can't change where my parents money goes and I can't be anything other than dependent on taxes. The loans the more expensive schools offer me don't cover full tuition and the cheaper schools won't help me at all because EFC is too high for them. I have tried scholarship websites and have spent days applying to scholarships ( over 100 scholarships) I need to know is there anything I'm not trying or if there is grants, loans or scholarships for students like me. I'm not sure what i want to do. I also really didn't participate as much as a should have in highschool and was average in graves I just feel kinda stuck in middle class, averageness and like there isn't to much help for me :( any suggestions would be helpful.</p>
<p>private scholarships only help for ONE year in most cases, so even if you were to get one, it wouldn’t help for four years.</p>
<p>You probably need to start at your local CC.</p>
<p>A really cheap school - your local community college (per mom2collegekids) Also, see <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/899807-efc-over-6-000-but-parents-bankrupt.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/899807-efc-over-6-000-but-parents-bankrupt.html</a>
Or <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/981502-parents-filing-bankruptcy-will-i-get-any-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/981502-parents-filing-bankruptcy-will-i-get-any-aid.html</a>
And [FinAid</a> | Professional Judgment | Bankruptcy](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Bankruptcy and Financial Aid - Finaid)</p>
<p>First of all, it doesn’t matter that you are on your parents’ taxes and/or insurance. You are dependent until you are age 24, married, a veteran of the Armed Forces, or meet some other provision which you do not. The taxes and insurance are not in the picture at all. Also, you are in the same situation as many, many young people your age.</p>
<p>Here is the thing: though your parents may not have the money or credit to pay for your college, that they are providing you three squares and a cot does add up to something. You need to look at what local options are available to you in terms of college, look for some part time work, and make a go of it that way. You need to scrimp and save until you come up with enough to be able to support yourself and may still have to live that way. We’re talking leftovers and P&J for breakfast, lunch dinner, packed from home. No buying anything out. And watching every penny. You can do it. Many have, are and will do so. But not easy at all. You will have it better than some who don’thave a half way decent home to live in and no support at all from parents who might be in trouble with the law, drugs, and other activities that are unsavory. Honestly, that’s the way a lot of people get through college, a little at a time, commuting, working part time, taking part time classes. When you visit your local schools look for programs that will lead to a greater chance of getting a decent paying job. What kind of jobs are employers finding hard to fill? </p>
<p>If your test scores, SAT1 or ACT are on the high side, you might want to hold off on school and start looking for some scholarship possibliitles at schools wehre your numbers are in the upper percentages. That’s what it takes to get substantial scholarships, enough to make a go of it. Most people do not get these.</p>
<p>By avoiding loans, unless you absolutely have to take them, and getting some certificate, then degree in some field that could lead to job possiblities, learning to live within your means and scrimp, you will have a better chance of avoidiing the financial corner that so many find themselve in., including your parents. Once there it’s ever so hard to get out.</p>
<p>If you have high grades and stats you can look through the threads at the top of this forum for some schools that will give good merit aid.</p>
<p>Be aware that most financial aid, even for those needy, like from poverty level parents, are just going to cover tution, not lving expenses. The maximum $5600 in PELL that the absolute neediest get is not going to cover room, board and expenses needed to live the year independently. It will cover most community college tutiion, fees and books. State schools are out there that charge more than that in tuition alone these days, and even those students, if they cannot find a job to pay for those things will have to borrow to make a go at it.</p>
<p>I doubt very much that you are even PELL eligible, given your parent’s income, so it comes down to $5500 that you can take out in student loans. Unless you have the academic stats, it’s very doubtful any school is going to give you the money to come and live on campus as well as the tuition. I think you shoud do the research and see if there are any such options for you, but make sure you find some local schools that y know you will be able to afford given your situation.</p>
<p>I am confused over the parent plus loans for our kids. Both are attending a local college and we are unable to get the parent plus loans for them. On their award letters it stated an estimated amount from the plus loans…which they did not get…but now their money is short for their needs. I read that if parents are denied the plus loans, that the students will automatically receive that amount. Is this true? Should I go back in and have them request the loan?</p>
<p>BunnieF, it would be best for you to start your own thread.</p>
<p>OK, I can do that I suppose. Thx</p>