<p>Sorry to hear about your situation. I am reasonably sure that Bowdoin allows you to delay matriculation for up to a year. Perhaps in that year you could work to save up some money, revisit finaid, etc. Good luck.</p>
<p>
[quote]
very important lesson to others, be careful how much you save if you have kids. We know you are told to save for the future and emergencies, but it will really hurt your children in the long run. So save wisely.
[/quote]
I certainly hope you find a good solution to your situation. That said, I have to disagree with this sentiment ... I would reword it to something like ... when saving be sure to be aware of your options and the consequences of those options to situations such as your current expenses, employment risk, retirement needs (in formal retirement accounts or not), and possible college expenses. There are lots of choices of how to save/invest/spend money and each choice has differing affects on each financial need.</p>
<p>yeah, i wanted to say something like that, but I am no really knowlegable in the finances, so it would have souded bombast, and little retaded.</p>
<p>I don't know anymore, just feeling so depressed.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Would your parents ever loan you the $$ for college? With a signed promissory note, etc., and you could work out a easier repayment schedule with them? Just a thought.
[/quote]
great idea ... I had a friend whose family did this ... they loaned their daughter the money for a house down payment ... even drawing up legal documents. Then they had her pay only interest on the loan at the rate of their fixed income investments (so these interest payments were not all that high) ... they only had her pay interest because the principle was money she would eventually inheret anyways (they only needed the interest for their retirement). Pretty clever!</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance. Can you perhaps defer one year, take freshman year courses at home and then attend sophomore-senior year. That gives you a $40,000 break.</p>
<p>does Bowdoin let you defer and take classes? I've read some of the limitations of deferring for some schools...a lot don't let you take classes at another school.</p>
<p>Insane: I am so sorry for you. I know how you feel since I went through the same thing last year and ended up in a cc. How about you just forget about your "dream school" for now. You may discover that it wasn't really your dream school after you have the chance to explore other schools. And never give up. You're clever, and you have a great intellectual luggage. Nothing, nobody can ever take that away from you. Don't give up.</p>
<p>Insane-</p>
<p>Let me first say that I am so sorry that you have found yourself in this situation, it's really unfair. However, I do not agree with Berthran that you should give up hope on matriculation at Bowdoin.</p>
<p>I think that you need to have a serious sit-down with your parents. I realize that you think it would be unfair of you to ask them to spend some of their retirement savings, however in reality, I think it would be unfair for them to withold that money and prevent you from having the opportunities you have worked for and that opportunities that they are required to give you as parents. Don't feel guilty, you've worked for this. I'm sure you're aware that an education at a college such as Bowdoin versus TCNJ usually yields a higher income, especially immediatly after graduation. I know it would put a lot of pressure on your to pay your parents back, but maybe you could just let them know that you would make sure they would be comfortable.</p>
<p>I noticed that on the main site here, they have a finacial aid calculator. Have you tried it? Does it give you different results that what Bowdoin has promised?</p>
<p>Also--have you spoke with the financial aid department about maybe doing work on campus to receive funds, such as in the college bookstore or in the cafeteria? I know that Bowdoin isn't a convenient college to get to from NJ, but maybe your presence would help sway the powers that be? Have you met face to face with anyone at Bowdoin? I'm sure you can work this out somehow. If you want to talk about it, feel free to PM or IM me.</p>
<p>@danima1s thanks for the advice, and if you don't mind I may ask you a few questios later.</p>
<p>Well I guess certain things aren't meant to be. We couldn't negioate anything, because they simply refused to give us any aid. So its impossible for me to attend and I am sending my letter of withdrawal. Thanks to everyone for their time and advice. It was awesome meeting everyone. I wish you guys the best of luck at Bowdoin. Good Bye.</p>
<p>I'm really sorry that Bowdoin didn't even attempt to negotiate with you on financial aid. I personally think that the system shouldn't punish people who save up for college. Good luck wherever you end up.</p>
<p>I am concerned about financial aide aswell. My father wont live long enough to carry me throughout college and graduate school...I just hope I can get a job and apply for financial aid</p>