Parents not paying, turning 21, and student loans

<p>So long story short, my parents suddenly aren't too thrilled with the idea of paying for my tuition + apartment for next year. I am currently a junior pursuing a BS in Nursing, so I only have my senior year left before I get a degree, plus I am confident I will be able to get a job fairly quickly after graduation. If this is relevant at all to the situation, I've got a 4.0 GPA at the moment.</p>

<p>I have a merit scholarship that covers a good deal of my tuition at the moment, so I only need about about $7,000-$8,000 for all of next year for books and a room. I can work as a CNA over the summer, so there's some extra money there. </p>

<p>This is all just hypothetical at the moment, and I'm not too familiar with how everything works, in terms of loans, but lets just say my parents do decide to cut me off for next year. Will I be able to qualify for any of the loans by myself for next year to cover the difference (without my parents to co-sign or without a prior job)? I turn 21 next month, if that changes anything.</p>

<p>And yes, I know that patching things up with my parents is the priority here. However, this is just to help me plan for the worst. Thanks!</p>

<p>Have you borrowed any of your Direct Stafford Loans at all? Presuming you are an American citizen, you should have $7,500 in Direct loans to borrow for your senior year through your school. These are federal loans that do not require a co-signer, however you will need your parents’ income information to complete the FAFSA to be eligible. Are they willing to provide this information at all? </p>

<p>Can you spell out your cost of attendance and how that is currently being paid. Do you get Pell? Are you already taking loans and/or is the $7-8k what your parents pay that will now be uncovered? Others will pipe up but you will not be an independent unless you are 24/or are married. </p>

<p>

You could get up to $7500 in Direct Loans if you file FAFSA.</p>

<p>Well I would hope it won’t come to that. You seem like a very good student, great gpa and nursing major.
And you are willing to work too. Once you finish your degree and get a job as a nurse you should be able to support yourself. Do your parents really want you to not finish this last year of school and get your degree?</p>

<p>Borrow the max this year and bank it. I wouldn’t mention this to your parents because they may stop paying immediately. Then if next year they won’t pay, then borrow 7500 again, and the total may be enough to get you thru senior year. </p>

<p>What mom2collegekids said. You’ll need to request the Direct (aka Stafford) loan quickly; if you wait until winter semester you can only get half the amount as I understand it. </p>

<p>You can get a Direct Loan for senior year even if your parents won’t provide information, though it will all be unsubsidized. (Meaning interest will accrue on the loan while you are in school and until it is repaid.) Your school will have a special form for this. </p>

<p>Congratulations on the great grades. I hope you’re able to work things out with your folks, but at least you’ve got a plan B. </p>

<p>There is a chance the OP can still receive the entire yearly amount of the Direct loan if it was requested in spring. It will all depend on unmet need of course, but that full amount should be available should OP wait for any reason. </p>

<p>Did you submit FAFSA this year? If so, go to your FA office and ask for the max student loan you can get and quietly bank it. Again, don’t mention this to your parents because if they know that you have $7500 sitting in the bank, they may stop paying for this year and then the purpose of the loan will be thwarted. </p>

<p>But…what is going on? What are your parents saying? Why are they suddenly threatening to stop paying for your college costs? Are they upset at something you’re doing? Are they upset about who you are spending time with? boyfriend issues? What is going on?</p>

<p>If she requests the loan for this year I think it will be applied to current outstanding fees. So unless her parents have paid through then end of this year (meaning May 2015) the loan will be applied to spring semester. I would suggest she request the loan after her parents have paid for spring (even if that only allows her 1/2 of the yearly allotment). Save that $ and then apply for a loan for next year. That should cover all of next years’ shortfall.</p>

<p>^^^
That is a good point. </p>

<p>@nckb24‌ visit the FA office for a student loan AFTER your parents have paid for spring. </p>