<p>So my parents applied for a PLUS loan and were denied on account of their bankruptcy a couple years ago. I know I can get the extra $4000 in unsubsidized loans, but I'm still finding myself short by about $5000. </p>
<p>No one would want to cosign with my parents, even if they could. I don't have any credit so no one wants to give me a loan. I really doubt I can miraculously make $5000 over the summer on minimum wage.</p>
<p>What are my options? I'm completely stumped on what I should do. Plus, I'm really sick of crying over not knowing how I'm going to pay for college.</p>
<p>Add the tuition and fees, add the room and board, add costs for your books and transportions, add what you need for walking around money, add what you need for supplies. Subtract the aid you got and see what the difference is. Are you working now? Hopefully ou are if you’re planning on heading for college. If not get on finding a summer job. Even at minimum wage and 20 hours a week my kids head off to college with about 2 grand after gas and “stuff” during the summer. Most important if you were offered work/study money you will not get it until you get to campus, find a job and it could be several weeks for the first check - best to use work/study money for expenses that occur during the semester and not for things that you need right when you start.</p>
<p>Are you in college already, and need to figure out how to pay for the rest of your time there, or will you be a freshman this fall? </p>
<p>If you are in college now, can you go part-time and hold down a full-time job somewhere while you finish? Can you live cheaper off campus than on?</p>
<p>If you haven’t started yet, is there a community college or another college that you can commute to? What about starting out part-time while you work?</p>
<p>The simple truth is that the majority of undergratuate students in the US are studying at community colleges and local public universities while they work to help support themselves and pay for their educations. If that is how you end up doing it, you will be in good company.</p>
<p>What is the cost of your tuition and fees, room and board. The rest is fluff. Minus your stafford loans, any grants, scholarships and the extra 4000.00 from the Plus loan. This is the number that you need to focus on. Are you applying for outside scholarships? Can your school possibly increase your aid if you explain your situation and you really want to attend?</p>