@LilRussian What is your EFC? Does your mom work? I believe that she’s remarried. Does her new husband work?
@thumper1 yes I’m still in high school, child support stops the day I graduate. None of the money was saved because my dad required that she was a stay at home mom, so when she left him, that money was used towards the house we lived in the last 3 years and the start up of her business. I can’t blame her, but I am upset about it. I have two jobs but they’re not really anything special.
@austinmshauri the last two years would probably be around $15k each. Business school there costs $2k more than just normal college for liberal arts. I did receive the $5,500 loan option.
@mom2collegekids my EFC is about $29k, but my mom doesn’t think it’s accurate or fair because my stepdad isn’t going to pay for any of my school, it’s all out of my mom’s bank account, and she owns a yoga studio so she makes the same amount of my EFC annually.
It’s fair…because your stepdad is presumably paying some of your family living expenses…right?
For your last two years in college, you will be able to take $7500 each year in Direct Loans…which should help your last two years at Iowa!
@LilRussian, If you don’t need the federal student loan for the 1st two years at Iowa, you can take them and bank them ($5500 as a freshman and $6500 as a soph). Those and summer earnings could pay for your 3rd year.
The loans for your jr and senior year ($7500 each) could pay for your 4th year. If your parents can’t help you pay at all, you may be able to make that work. You wouldn’t have more than the typical student loans ($27k), and you might even have less if you can work a little during the year or your mom can help cover books.
@LilRussian do you have any siblings?
What is your FAFSA EFC?
@mom2collegekids yeah 2 younger one will be in college next year and I think 29503 or something
What does this mean? Will your sibling start college when you do…or the following year?
The following year. She is class of 2017. @thumper1
@LilRussian, did the divorce decree not mandate that your father cover half your college education? Your EFC is likely large because they factor in your father’s income.
@luciethelakie no they didn’t put in my dad because he isn’t sole custodian
EFC is based on mom and stepdad’s income. Dad’s income isn’t used on fafsa or by ucsd
Oh, okay, I guess noncustodial parent only matters for CSS. What about the divorce decree? Was he required to contribute anything to your college education? That’s kind of standard stuff when there are kids involved.
OP, no one wants to crush your dreams, but you must face your financial reality, as hard as that is. Something else to think about, students at some UCs are not able to graduate in 4 years because they can’t get into their required classes.
One of my daughters couldn’t attend her #1 choice, an OOS Public, for financial reasons, but had a full tuition scholarship elsewhere. She loves her school and is thriving there now:)
California will still be there when you graduate from college, look for a job there. down the road. My younger sis attended our local public U and moved to California right after graduation. she is still there 30 years later and is very happy:)
@LucieTheLakie If I remember correctly, the divorce decree states:
dad: 1/3 of instate public
mom: 1/3 of instate public
child: 1/3 of instate public
OP, as much as you think people here are crushing your dreams, I actually think they are being pretty gracious. Your statement a few pages back is a scary summation:
You really do need “advice” because if your realistic plan includes UCSD, you are grossly mistaken. Please rethink your plan.
@lz57c4 if you read the entire thread, you would see that I am going to the University of Iowa for pretty much no cost the first two years.
@LilRussian: Just remember that there is no guarantee you will be able to transfer to UCSD or any other choice school after your 2 years at Iowa. Also there is little FA for transfers especially at the California publics and in-state CCC/UC/CSU applicants get priority over OOS transfers. Embrace your time and the opportunities available at Iowa and you may find you want to spend all 4 years there.
@LilRussian, sounds like University of Iowa is starting to grow on you. I’m glad!
This article might bring you some consolation. Be glad you’re not taking on a load of debt to help underwrite the cost of educating CA students: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/03/30/state-audit-accuses-u-california-putting-state-residents-disadvantage