Student Transfering from community college with Credit Card Debt

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello all!</p>

<p>Recently i was accepted in University of Miami, Coral Gables as a transfer. </p>

<p>Currently i am still waiting to see what my financial package looks like before i make a full decision. </p>

<p>Currently i support myself fully with the help of a grandmother who still works her daily job. </p>

<p>My father is in jail and "left" me with $2,600 credit card debt. I called myself being a good son and helping out my dad and his family with getting a new washer. He was supposed to pay it off in a year before the interest kicked in. He never did so he f*** me over now the bill has doubled and im stuck with it.</p>

<p>I also have a discover card of my own that i use to use for little college expenses etc. Again, my parents were supposed to help here, but never came through. </p>

<p>My mother is totally out of the picture due to being in heavy debt and not making more than $9,000 a year. At least i will probably qualify for a good amount of financial aid when i transfer.</p>

<p>So, im not here to complain but seek guidance. I currently work as a paid intern here in Washington, D.C year round.(As long as they decide to keep me, jobs not exactly "guaranteed"). </p>

<p>So i have a HUGE choice to make. University of Miami was the school i wanted to go to since graduating but couldn't due to not being accepted. Now I've came back 2 years later as a transfer and have been admitted. I think the transfer rate is like 550 out of over 2700 applicants, so i was blessed. </p>

<p>I REALLY want to go and take this opportunity since i want ever get it again in my life time..Its either now or never. I see it as i will be working for the next 40 years of my life, so i don't want to let a internship etc hold me back...I just want to find a solution.</p>

<p>I just need some advice from different minds... I've gotten advice from family, boss, friends etc, and of course they all say GO. So...</p>

<p>I thought if i had to, i may get a student loans to pay off my credit card debt to consolidate it and i wouldn't have to pay it off until after graduation which would give me time to get my schooling out the way...</p>

<p>Any thoughts ideas? Considerations?</p>

2

<p>I have a few questions for you:</p>

<p>Are you dependent or independent student? </p>

<p>Have you completed the net price calculators for Miami? </p>

<p>If I remember correctly the cost of attendance at Miami is very high (over $60K?).</p>

3

<p>My mother filed my fasfa, but i actually filed my own taxes. Which is possible i believe. </p>

<p>So i guess i would be a dependent student sense im using my moms financial aid info.</p>

<p>Yes, ive used to net price calculator but i dont think its exactly right. The financial aid office told me it is best to wait until i get my financial aid package. </p>

<p>When its around $60k.</p>

4

<p>The definition for a dependent student is quite clear, and it seems to me that you are dependent for financial aid purposes. </p>

<p>Right now, you need to wait for your financial aid package and see if you can even afford to go to Miami. When you can work that part of your life out, you can then start dealing with other financial issues.</p>

5

<p>@cptofthehouse Very true. You have a great point. I wont know my package until first week of Aprill. Which is in a few days. But yeah, your right, no point in worrying about it if i cant even go.</p>