Please HELP. I don't think I can go to college at all

Paying for College
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<p>Hey guys. </p>

<p>I am a high school senior in South Florida. My parents and I immigrated to the country in 2000, applied for permanent residency in 2001, and our petition was approved in 2006, with a waiting list of 12-14 years. Nine years have gone by, and I am now 3 years from my green card. Meanwhile, I had to apply to schools as an "international applicant." Needless to say, it made it even more competitive for me and I was denied everywhere. </p>

<p>I consider myself a very good student. I am not perfect, nor am I a genius, but I worked really hard. I took 14 APs, became the first AP Scholar with Distinction in my school in several years and started my own independent research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. I led my class as president for two years straight. I got a 2100 on the SAT and a 31 on the ACT. I tutored the AP kids in my school so that they could pass the exams.</p>

<p>And I love to learn. My dream is to go to school and study the natural sciences. I am fascinated by medical research and politics, and am still unsure on what to pursue. </p>

<p>But I was denied everywhere. Now, I am looking into my local colleges, but because they are public, they can't give me any aid (because I am not a legal permanent resident yet, even though Im legally on the waiting list.) They can't offer me in-state tuition either because of the same reason. They are offering me only the out-of-state tuition which is a little over $200 per credit in the local community college. As each class if at least 3 credits, every class comes to about $700. </p>

<p>My parents wash cars for a living. We make about $13,000 a year. I can't pay for a class that's $700. </p>

<p>I was selected as a Quesbridge finalist on October. If I had gotten in anywhere I applied, it would've been a full ride. But the Questbridge thing didn't help the fact that I was still considered an International student, and that's where they put my applicantion, where the competition was even stronger than in the regular pool. </p>

<p>I now face my only option which is to take out a huge loan. But because my parents only make about $13,000 a year, and because neither of them have a SSN, and at the moment, not even a driver's license, I am afraid that no one will give us a loan. Especially a loan of $27,000 a year, which is twice what we make.</p>

<p>I can't get a job either because my green card doesn't come until 2012. I can't join the Army because of the same reasons. I don't know what to do. </p>

<p>There's a big, big, chance that I won't even get to go to school at all. Please give me any advice you can, maybe any information on any loans that could be available to me. </p>

<p>Thank you so much.</p>

<hr>

<p>P.S. I know a lot of you get angry at "illegal" students. Please know that my parents filed for legalization as soon as they could, but the waiting list is 12-14 years, we cannot help that. We just have to wait. Please also know that throughout all these years, they didn't get a work permit, or a social security number. But they did pay taxes even thouhg they got no benefits whatsoever from it. And of the little money that we make, we donate only to one organization: to the Disabled American Veterans. My brother, who is younger than me, will get his green card just in time to join the Army. We don't consider ourselves illegals; we tried and did everything we could to speed up this process and to live out life by the law.</p>

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<p>I’m sorry I won’t be able to help, but I wish you all the best! Good luck.</p>

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<p>I don’t know the ins and outs of immigration, but you state some things: 1) You, and your parents, do not have permanent residency status; 2) Your parents do not have SS#; and 3) you cannot work until you get permanent residency (green card).</p>

<p>I presume that you are here on some type of visa that does not permit you, or your parents, to legally work. If it did, they should have a SS#. I presume the taxes they pay are withholding taxes on someone else’s SS#.</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>A lot of us “get no benefits” from the taxes we pay. If you define “benefits” as some type of money or services provided directly to us. But, a lot of our taxes pay for: Roads, National Defense, police protection, fire protection, etc. Thus, you have received a benefit for the taxes you paid.</p>

<p>

You might not be able to afford to go to college NOW, but in 3 years, you may be able to. so “at all” is not exactly accurate. At that time, you and your parents will be able to work legally, and will hopefully be able to get better jobs. Also, nothing prevents you from going back to your home country for college, where, presumably, you could qualify for whatever benefit that country provides.</p>

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<p>It’s too bad Florida’s proposal to allow in-state tuition for undocumented people was defeated. It is allowed in a number of other states, including NY, but here it requires that you attend and graduate from a NY high school. You might pm swimcatsmom for ideas as she seems to understand the process well, or search for threads that others have posted recently on this problem.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, this link might give you some leads on states that are less apt to look at your federal status if you were able to become a resident.<br>
[FinAid</a> | Other Types of Aid | Scholarships for Undocumented Students](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Resources for Undocumented Students - Finaid)</p>

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<p>Did you do some research about colleges that offer merit aid for undocumented students? What schools did you actually apply to?</p>

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<p>First, you and your parents need to investigate getting a work permit. I google it and wikipedia page below is quite informative.</p>

<p>[Employment</a> Authorization Document - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Employment_Authorization_Document]Employment”>Employment authorization document - Wikipedia)</p>

<p>Once you can work, many options should be opened up a little bit. You can go to school part time (probably community college at first due to cost) while working, and work during summer months and save to pay for the rest of the year. In a couple of years, you can apply to regular college and should get financial aid if you can get in.</p>

<p>You can try to find school with coop program. Transfer as many AP credits into your record. Work one semester and go to school the next semester. This might work ok along with your summer income. I went to school with coop program and I knew a lot of kids that have done this.</p>

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<p>
[QUOTE=OperaDad]

Also, nothing prevents you from going back to your home country for college, where, presumably, you could qualify for whatever benefit that country provides.

[/quote]
This is highly unrecommended to travel outside US while you are in “adjustment of status” status (meaning he may not be able to return). There are a lot of countries in the world which barely have any options for higher education, not mentioning world class education. If I were OP I would not consider that option.
Under protection of 254-i his family stays in country legally, but it does not grant job authorization. With waiting period over 10 years I do not know what lawmakers were thinking.</p>

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<p>At least it gives them an alternative to returning to their home country while waiting.

</p>

<p>Yes, if you are accepted to a college, you can apply for a Student Visa. A Student Visa will allow you to work on campus for up to 20 hours per week during the term, and full time during vacations.</p>

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<p>“Under protection of 254-i his family stays in country legally, but it does not grant job authorization. With waiting period over 10 years I do not know what lawmakers were thinking.”</p>

<p>Do you mean that they cannot work for 10-12 years while waiting for green card? There is no way around this at all? Is this really correct?</p>

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<p>It does not grant job authorization (JA) itself, but it does not prevent from obtaining JA if you are eligible. One example OperaDad mentioned above. Another will be getting H1b, but I guess OP’s parents are not qualified for that.</p>

<p>The normal process is to wait at their home country, so it’s a privilege. In some cases it is very helpful. OP got good education using this privilege (talking about benefit from paying taxes).</p>

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<p>Waiting three years may be a reasonable option, though it certainly sounds unpalatable now. </p>

<p>If you haven’t already done so, contact one of your US Senators from Florida at their local (Florida) office number. Ask for the staff member who helps with constituent services related to immigration. Ask to speak to that person. Explain your situation, and ask if there is any possible way that you can get permission to work while you’re waiting for your green card. This all takes time, but usually the constituent services folks are very good.</p>

<p>Do you need to graduate from high school this year? Can you continue in high school next year? If so, staying in school even if it is to take on-line AP classes through Florida’s virtual school may help you gain more credits towards college once you finally get there.</p>

<p>If you can visit and meet with some Florida admission reps from some private schools, perhaps you can make a connection. Perhaps talk with someone from Eckerd. They may have substantially more flexibility than do the state schools.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

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<p>hey my name is caroline and i understand what your going thru im in that place now it sucks so bad u feel so stuck sometimes i cry because i see my friends doing everything i cant which is go to school and work to make my own money im usually stuck at home i model part time but im getting tired of that about going to school i graduate in 08 its been a year exactly a year since i finish high school i feel like i wasted a year of my life not doing nothing and it makes me sad to kno why america take so long to process green cards i mean they should work out something for the undocumted students have a system or a way so we would be able to go to school like give a waiver or some sort like that i was approve in my petition in 2005 just the oher day i did my finger prints and stuff i alwasy call uscis to check up on it…i also will be recievein my i-765 soon in maybe months should be… well difference between me and you is my mom has her SSN i think i’ll be able to get a loan i dont care what it takes as long as i start school in fall and you know ya we will be out of state students but once you recieve your green card they put you as in a in state student and u’ll be paying regular for credits but now my probelm is what type of loan can get?..i know if i have too i’ll get it on my mom name and pay her back as soon as i can work myself…its really crazy how the treat students like us why graduate high school if i cant go to college also and when my friends whine bout going to class i tell them look at least you can go to school so be grateful…</p>

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<p>Could you try to get a job as a nanny during the day and then go to school part time at night while you wait for your legal status to change?</p>

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<p>Can you go to college for free in your home country? Where are you from?
European Union members have either free or very low tuition.<br>
Can you get married here?</p>

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<p>Check again on joining the Army. I believe that you can enlist and enlisting can put you on the fast track to citizenship - and money for college.
good luck.</p>

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<p>JustMomof4, OP is right. Non-citizens are allowed to join the military for one enlistment, but they have to be a permanent resident with a “green card” before they can enlist in the military.</p>

<p>Enlisting as a legal immigrant with a “green card” will put one on the fast track to citizenship (there are accelerated procedures for non-citizens in the military), but you have to establish legal immigration status first, then join the military. The military does not help you get a “green card”.</p>

<p>Also, OP, be careful with the fast track for money advertisements if you do decide to go that way eventually (and anyone else reading this). I would be the first person to advocate the military for young men and women – my fiance is Air Force – but recruiters are paid to make the military look attractive to young people and they feed them a LOT of information about the money for college. It’s true that the military does have these opportunities, but I strongly suggest that you thoroughly research what “money for college” REALLY means, and how much it is, and where it will enable you to go. usmilitary.about.com is a great place to start.</p>

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<p>juillet - thanks -yep you need a green card generally.<br>
If the OP wants permanent legal residence he should probably seek and immigration attorney when he turns 18.</p>

<p>Also - even though undocumented immigrants can’t join the military they are required to register for selective service. How’s that for common sense?</p>

<p>As far as money for college - check out the new GI Bill - [GI</a> Bill 2008 - Home](<a href=“http://www.gibill2008.org/]GI”>http://www.gibill2008.org/)
They are just rolling it out and the benefits are fantastic. But, of course, they are earned by your service.</p>

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<p>OperaDad has some very good information for you. My oldest sister didn’t go to college right out of high school because she was going through some emotional drama with her boyfriend and made incredibly stupid decisions. She has recently realized that her life stinks and the way to a career is to go to college. </p>

<p>Now she’s 24 and going to start at the local community college. When OperaDad mentions that your situation will look better in 3 years, he’s right. Sometimes we have to wait for what we really want. If you want college badly enough you will see that it happens. It may not happen when you want it to (now), but it will happen. Keep your focus on how to improve yourself during these three years so that when you have your green card you will submit strong applications.</p>

<p>GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!! :)</p>

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<p>I don’t know whether this might help or not. My mom is a us permanent resident and she told me that it was quite a long process for her to get her green card too. But she did say that the best way to deal with it is to talk to the person at the immigration department who is in charge of your application. The person who does your interview and stuff. Call them. Make an appointment to see them. Then explain to the officer regarding your situation. After all you are trying to further your education, it is a shame that something like this is stopping you from accomplishing that. I wish you all the best.</p>