Transfer Advice

Paying for College
1

Hi, im a CC student who’s about to apply for transfer after the fall semester. My family and I were having a discussion about finances and had a few questions. For reference, I am in Texas and will be going into my junior year. My parents make 150K a year.

For background…

I am a Zoology major minoring in Education. I plan to go to grad school. I would like to work in conservation biology, become a professor, or do research. I currently have a 4.0 GPA.

I have many ECs such as founding and being the president of my school’s speech and debate team, judging speech tournaments, being a certified wildlife rehabilitator and tracker(had to take a 9 month course which included several out of state visits working with the national park service), volunteering in wildlife rehabilitation, and volunteering in a state park doing outreach programs. I also work at a dog training facility and have a certification in basic dog grooming and canine behavior.

I currently have 4K in savings and should be around 7K when I actually go to university. I’m currently recieving a Stafford loan of 3500 that covers my CC. I have a refund of about 1K from that.

SO, my questions are…

Does anyone know of any schools that offer any scholarships for transfer students?
—I have heard of U of New Mexico and seen a few lists on here for schools with merit scholarships. Do any of them stand out to you as being particularly generous?

Are you able to qualify for private loans without a cosigner?
—my parents were curious about this. They do not like the idea that parent plus loans are in their name. My credit score is 750, but I can probably raise it before I apply for the loans.

We aren’t for sure taking out private loans. I know they are generally looked down upon. We’re just discussing options

My parents don’t really have a problem helping me, but would prefer not to . If it came down to it they told me they wouldn’t mind as long as it is less than 20K a year(in tuition). I also plan to live off campus, which I will be paying for myself.

Outside of this, if anyone has any other advice for me, it is much appreciated.

Thanks!

2

Checking for clarity…

You are applying for fall transfer…when? Now 2017 or fall 2018?

You will not be able to get a private loan without a cosigner unless YOU have enough income, and collaterol to be eligible for a loan.

3

I am applying for transfer to go to university for the fall 2018 semester. @thumper1

I make around 16K a year.

4

How long have you been in the job? Will you be able to continue to work when you transfer?

5

@thumper1 I haven’t been at the job for long, only about 2 months, which is why my savings isn’t that much money. Before I was working at a job where I only made 50$ a paycheck.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to keep working there because there are no colleges within 2 hours of where I live.

6

@aussielover996

Go to a bank and have a talk with them about loans. They will give you the provisions of their loans…and easily be able to tell you if you would,be a candidate without a cosigner.

But really…what lending company would lend you money if you don’t have a job?

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I’m going to be working while in college. @thumper1

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@aussielover996

You wrote this.

So…how many hours do you think you will be able to work once you transfer…and where?

Again…run this by a loan officer at a bank and see what they say.

9

@thumper1 I will be working at a different job, not the one I currently have. I’m hoping it won’t be too hard to find one because I have experience as a kennel tech which is always in demand since it has such a high turnover rate. Right now i’m in college full time and work around 30-40 hours a week, sometimes overtime. I will probably only work around 20 when i’m at university.

I will run it by a loan officer, thank you

10

Good luck! I hope something works out for you.

11

@thumper1 Thank you!