Hi all- I’m really hoping for some help and advice from those who have gone through this process already. I am going to be a freshman in the Barrett college at ASU this Fall. I have family issues and my parents do not want to be part of the college process for me at all. Of course, this includes financially. I will be funding my own education which is fine- I luckily received plenty of merit based scholarships for ASU. I have been working 2 jobs for a while so I have money saved up to pay for the typical things like dorm items, plane ticket, food, etc. I cannot get any federal aid since my parents do not want to provide their finances and I cannot become emancipated yet. I have a couple thousand left for me to pay, which I will take on student loans but still apply to more outside scholarships too.
I will be traveling and moving in alone, so I’m a little nervous I’m going to forget something big or just the little things I won’t know to prepare for. I’ve purchased all my dorm items I think I’ll need and have had them shipped to my mailbox at the university. I plan to fly down for my move in day and use uber to take all my stuff there. What kind of things should I prepare for? I just plan on setting up my dorm but were there any items people needed they didn’t expect? I also had a question about textbooks. I know I need to buy these and will try and get cheaper ones online but I read mixed reviews of people waiting until the class to see if they need different books or hear what the professor says. Should I buy them now or is it OK to wait then? I will be majoring in electrical engineering but do not have my own laptop. Most people say you can just use the library if you don’t have a computer but not sure if it’s dependent on major. For those in engineering, do you rely a lot on the computer?
Thank you so much for help!
I definitely think you will need a computer. You may want to post a thread about good ones that are reasonably priced.
As for books, I’d wait until you start classes to see what books you really need. (My D who is a rising college junior has always done that.)
Have you already shipped your dorm items? Did you check to make sure that was OK with the school? At my D’s school, you can’t do that.
You can do this, but see if you can find a group of students like yourself for ongoing support. Talk to an academic advisor asap and let them know your situation. Hopefully, they will understand your challenges and try to help support you. Yes, you can wait and see what books you need and order them on Amazon or other sites that will be cheaper than the book store. Take one day at a time, and put one foot in front of the other. 4 years is going to fly.
What is your plan when you say you “cannot become emancipated yet?” An emancipated minor is a minor. If you aren’t emancipated before age 18, you’re not getting that status retroactively. You cannot become independent for financial aid purposes the “regular” way until age 24, which is a long time to wait to become eligible for financial aid.
One option might be to be declared independent via professional judgement by your school’s financial aid office, which shouldn’t have a waiting period. Have you ever been documented as a homeless runaway or as a victim of child abuse? Have you ever told a teacher or guidance counselor or other adult who could vouch for a very difficult family situation?
@suzy100 thank you, I was pretty sure I’d need a computer for engineering and will probably find a cheaper one for now. I haven’t shipped yet but I have called the university and they said it is OK once I have been sent my address.
@preppedparent thank you for the response- I will do that. Do you know for student loans if I have to pay the leftover fees before I start school or can I talk with a financial aid counselor and figure them out over the semester?
Talk to FA asap and ask what your options are. They will help you.
Can you get student loans if your parents won’t fill out FAFSA? It’s stupid if they won’t. It isn’t much more info than is already in their tax returns.