Everyone kept telling me to do 2 years at a community college. Now Im at a loss at what to do next.
I finished high school, got into some great colleges. Tisch School of the Arts, Syracuse, Boston U, etc… Couldn’t afford any of them. My parents could not cosign my student loans. I then enrolled at a CC. Finished my 2 years with the intent to transfer and get my bachelors.
I applied to 12 schools, and got into 3 … I decided to transfer to my instate public university, Temple University, and I still cant afford it!! I still cant get a loan out due to my parents credit scores. Im so upset. I put in the work. I tried to save money. I stayed humble, and worked hard…and Im still screwed. Im at a loss. I dont know what to do next, or where to go. What am I supposed to do with a General studies degree from a Pennsylvania Community college?
*My ultimate goal is to graduate from Chapman university with their combined JD/Mfa in Film business degree. But it seems like that wont happen becuase I cant even get my undergraduate degree.
What do i do next?
Did you apply to any of the PASSHE schools? Is there a 4 year college within commuting distance of your home?
If you have a state school you can commute to from home, then that might work. If your parents do not qualify for a Parent PLUS loan, then I believe you can get an additional $4K in Federal Loans on top of the $7.5K you could get as a Junior. That gives you $11.5K, and you could probably save another few thousand with a summer job.
How hard would it be to earn a second associate’s degree from your community college ?
If easy. affordable & able to be done in just one year, then consider getting an AA degree in a more employable major.
Many, maybe most, community colleges are in touch with local employers needs and develop programs of study in line with those needs.
Otherwise, consider online degrees paid for by an employer. I believe that many employers offer this benefit including McDonald’s & Starbucks. It is a fairly common benefit at call centers and possibly from Home Depot & Lowe’s.
P.S. Be thankful that you cannot qualify for a lot of student loans as undergrad student loan debt can cause a lot of problems when repayment time comes around.
You might need to get a job, and study part-time. Lots of students in your situation do that. Can you commute to Temple?
Is Temple the only public university in PA that offers your major? Do any of the others offer a related one? For example, no film, but theater lighting/sound/stage management?
If you have no particular job skills yet, take a look at other programs that your CC offers. Check out non-degree programs as well as the degree programs. For example, the CC where I teach in Maryland offers a whole bunch of non-degree training programs that lead immediately to jobs. If you have a skill like that, you will always have something to fall back on when there are no film gigs.
Most good MFA programs prefer applicants who have several years of work experience. You can still achieve your original goal. It just may take a bit more time.
In order to get help, can you answer these questions:
Do you qualify for Pell grants through FAFSA?
What about PHEAA grants?
Did you borrow your Stafford/federal loans for 2019-2020?
Are you near a 4-year college or near a bus or train route that’d take you near a college? (Which township or town do you live in?)
What’s your current GPA?
What courses have you completed?
What majors would you apply for ?