<p>I have to admit, I'm really not happy right now. I mean, my parents have 4 kids and didn't the thought ever occur to them that we're screwed over for college fin. aid and they might consider saving a dollar here and there? I mean, my parents have saved up a grand total of $0 for me. I have $1300 to my name from a 3-month stint working, but that's it. And even though I'm applying to 2 100% need-based schools, the remaining 6 aren't. So basically, as my dad put it, it's up to me to finance my education through scholarships, or I'm not going to college. How's that for reality. My sister got no aid, but granted, she got a scholarship. However, the school I really want to go to, and that I'm likely to get into, is private. I'm not asking for advice, I just needed to get that off my chest.</p>
<p>Please Celeb. Unless your parents could have saved a TON of money, it would not have been a benefit to you. In fact, cash savings is a detriment. You are way better off fin aid wise with no cash and 3 siblings. Suck it up dude. Doing it yourself does not mean you have to sweat for the money. I've seen your other posts and you have a lot going for you. If money is an issue, find a deal that works. Maybe it's not at the school you always thought was your dream, but trust that you can make it a great experience.</p>
<p>8,586 posts? Use some of that time to:</p>
<p>a) get a job
b) start a business
c) apply for OUTSIDE scholarships</p>
<p>My kids have averaged $45,000 in scholarships each, and earned a TON of money by starting their own businesses.</p>
<p>Kwitcerhbellyachin and don't blame your parents. Wait til you are married and have kids - you'll see how very hard it is to save.</p>
<p>well, i thought we had things pretty well in hand. oldest son is a senior and has not yet had to incur any debt. second son--well, he is now planning on attending a private school and with our incomes, financial aid will be minimal. however, we will do whatever it takes because we feel this is an opportunity that he just can't pass up. so, we will have to find a way to make it work. indeed, saving for college is extremely difficult--throw in braces, food, clothes, shoes, haircuts, medical bills, camps, athletic equipment, housing, well, as all parents know--there is always something!</p>
<p>I agree with nedad. I think you should stop complaining about your parents, and you need to do what you can do to get scholarships, $ from a job, apply to colleges where you'll get in and will get the $ you need.</p>
<p>Your parents have 4 kids plus your mom's mom recently died after being in a hospice. Your parents have a lot on their plate.</p>
<p>Over the past 2 weeks, you've posted the current complaint and also posted on Parent's Forum: "Well I talked to my mom today about my colleges. She told me two things that are leaving me feeling a bit devestated.</p>
<p>1.8 schools is too many. But the thing is, I'm in love with them all equally. I started out with a list of 45 schools, and getting it under 10 has been a grueling task. But I don't think I can cut off another school. I love them, and I can't imagine cutting off one. I mean, 4/8 have fee waivers, and I don't want to cut off schools for no reason.</p>
<p>2.I can't visit my 5 in-state schools. I did visit one today, but that's only because I went with my friend. She said there's no way she can fit it into her schedule, and I feel like this is really selfish. I don't get a second chance to do this, and visiting 1 school just seems really unfair to me. I know it's a lot of gas money, but I'll dig into my money I saved from working for college if I have to. I'm not asking for much. I mean, Ohio State is right next door, and my dad will take me too! I just feel tired from it all. I can't even get my parents together to talk about when I can visit. "</p>
<p>Time for you to take much more responsibility for your own life instead of expecting so much from your overburdened parents. The time that you spend here on CC could be put to far better use.</p>
<p>As everyone else has said, it IS difficult to save any money for college when you are raising four kids. We couldn't save much with just two kids. My older had about $4000 in his account when he applied to college, and half of that went to buy a laptop computer and other college needs. However, he got into a 100% need-based school (private) and got a good scholarship. We still had an EFC to meet, and it wasn't always easy, but it worked out.</p>
<p>Private schools usually give better financial aid than public ones, and I know you have a lot going for you as far as being an attractive applicant, so just hang in there, apply for scholarships, and do what you need to do. Keep your grades up, do community service, and you have a great chance to win some scholarships. And you should do well at the need-based schools.</p>
<p>The hardest part of applying to college is the waiting for acceptances, and then the waiting for finaid offers. You'll probably feel a lot better come April. As my mother used to say, where there's a will, there's a way. And, as the Mother Superior in Sound of Music (my alltime favorite movie) said, When God closes a door, He always opens a window. Your plans may change, but you have a great shot at a wonderful life.</p>
<p>Celebrian,</p>
<p>I got love for you but you have made more excuses than Carters got little pills. </p>
<p>Last year on this same forum we suggested you get a job and start saving (as you knew the money was going to be an issue because your parents were going through a divorce) and you came up with excuses ranging from you have no skills, no car, you don't work well with kids, you can't tutor etc. If you found the job you have now this time last year you would have had $5200 ( a nice piece of change)</p>
<p>what part of your current situation is suprising? I don't think you woke up recently and found out that your parents had 4 children. You also knew the financial constraints your parents set for financing your education. Yet you made the conscious decision not to be an active participant in helping to contribute to an education that you are going to be the prime beneficiary to. You need to stop making excuses or take action.</p>
<p>Since you know what your parameters are, have you chosen schools where you would be in line to collect merit aid? Is one of your schools a financial safety wher if admitted it is a financially feasible option for your family.</p>
<p>I agree with the others, what are you doing to help your self. I don't think you even realize the message that you are sending out to others, if you are presenting your self in person they way you present your self on-line, I am not suprised that you are in the perdicament that you are in. If you were to make a half effort to show that you are doing something and but your words into deeds, you would be suprised how many people would reach out to help you to help your self.</p>
<p>Do you still have your job? Can you take on more hours? You state that your sister was able to get scholarships, I am quite sure that she sought them out and the scholarships did not knock on the door and say here I am. If you are not willing to take a more proctive stance in this situation then you have to go where your money can take you. You are a smart girl and whether or not you realize it you have a lot more than a lot of other people, so stop blocking your blessings and throw out all of your trash thinking</p>
<p>I agree, you really need to take matters into your own hands. For example, my parents make 60,000 and their expected contribution is 16000 with no money saved up. Worse than that, they are old school and say that they wont pay for any college becuase education is the students responsibility. Anyway, I have stayed at home at my local third tier university for two years to save money while I worked. Anyway, now I am applying to transfer so I will only encounter 2 years of loans (even though I will be about 40,000 in debt) Point is, due what you can to save money but still have lots of opportunites. Remember that you cant do anything about your parents, its up to you to figure out the right course of action.</p>