Unemployed and Financial Aid problems

Paying for College
61

<p>Ok, looking at my needs, I’d be short $3,000 for the year, but I could make up some of this with work study (presuming it may now be a part of my finaid package), or, hopefully work study at least in the summer on campus. </p>

<p>After reading some more about private student loans I’m really turned off. And I already have a credit card as-is (which isn’t being used). </p>

<p>Ideas other than scholarships (which I’m applying for 5 now) on how to wrangle money/blood from a turnip?</p>

<p>I have a few material assets which I could sell/would sell for ~$1400 (Medium format cameras- Mamiya and a Hassleblad 503cxi with a grip winder), though I really, really hate to do so- they’re the last of my belongings, next to my books.</p>

<p>Thoughts?</p>

62

<p>You ignored several good suggestions; go to community college to get your prerequsites, and apply for work as a nursing aid or caregiver at a nursing home. Jobs are usually not well-paid but they are frequently available and are in your general career path. I would strongly counsel you NOT to take out that much in loans… Get creative; can you find a job as an apartment manager in exchange for free rent? Or caregiver to disabled student in exchange for free room/board? There are a lot of ways to get your education if you are flexible about it.</p>

63

<p>Anxiousmom- I didn’t ‘ignore’ any suggestions. In fact you may have ignored my responses to many of those suggestions.</p>

<p>I don’t mean any insult by this, Anxiousmom, but please understand- I don’t believe you’re aware of how bad the situation is for the unemployed currently. </p>

<p>Find a job as an apartment manager? You realize that in June 2010 my city is now listed has having 255,200 unemployed persons, with a total job gain for the entire state since Jan 1st 2010 of 166,000. That’s 1 cities unemployment vs. the entire states jobs offered for 6 months. </p>

<p>Really? I even applied to Takeourjobs (dot) org. Twice. They haven’t contacted me. Twice.</p>

<p>I’ve been applying to any/everything low-wage job I would qualify for. I believe you’ve missed the part about me trying to take on work for free? Maybe that was in another forums, but been there/tried that.</p>

<p>I came back here to update since my visit last Tuesday with a financial aid administrator: Now my actual assigned counselor is telling me that the college does in fact zero ALL unemployment income, except she’s not sure about the $2,400 of unemployment income which I didn’t claim on my 1040EZ (The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). </p>

<p>So in other words: my reported Unemployment income is zero, but my untaxed 2,400 counts against me. What? Oh the logic.</p>

<p>She seems to believe, unlike the other counselor, that untaxed income doesn’t count as unemployment income, even if it is unemployment income. </p>

<p>Oy.</p>

64

<p>Look for work at the school cafeteria or eateries. You can get the double bonus of getting free or discounted meals that way. Apply for residential positions for the next year. See if there are any tutoring or individual coaching needs in the community that you can provide. THose are particularly lucrative. My son gave swim lessons, and works with kids on soccer and basketball. He has also given violin lessons. This is not to the students at your school but the families in the community. I know a lot of moms here who like to use college students as sitters and to marshall groups of kids for birthday or teach some sport or academic issue. If you are fluent in a language, lessons in that are a possibility. My friend gives private Italian conversation lessons and has a nice clientale and a little bit of extra income that way.</p>

65

<p>The school’s cafeteria requires a Federal Work Aid form, which I haven’t gotten yet. As for the 3 restaurants and the Starbucks- I’ve applied to the starbucks and chic-fil-a. So that is something. True.</p>

<p>We have no on-campus housing- this being in a downtown area, so no-go on being an RA, though yeah, I had thought of transferring next semester to the only larger school in the city- being an RA would pay off huge in free living and the $1000 food credit they get.</p>

<p>The only thing I do now is run our cities only diabetes support group. Or at least the only one which advertises. I’ve been doing that for years.</p>

<p>I’d be a rather creepy sitter- being nearly 40, male. heh</p>

<p>Right now I’m just venting over the conflict of information from my FA office. /bangsheadonwall</p>

66

<p>Dazed and confused…I don’t get the unemployment = untaxed, not unemployment because there’s a tax deduction available thing either! Since when does DoE care about what the IRS is doing? They pick and choose whatever pieces they want it seems! Anway, if they zero out your other unemployment and leave the $2400, that should get you a Pell grant anyway right?</p>

67

<p>sk8ermom- Yea verily. According to the Fafsa4caster even if they included the $2,400 of untaxed UI + my $4,038 I made last year, I would still qualify for the full Pell. </p>

<p>As for picking and choosing- I think the counselor may be over worked and not paying attention to all the forms I’ve filled out for extenuating circumstances and verification. Or quite possibly she’s very confused as this whole thing is new.</p>

<p>What worries me is the thought process going on with my counselor- taking $2,400 of unemployment income and using that against me, but zeroing out 14,860 of UI. If she’s that confused with that, then who knows what I’ll end up with, or more important- when I’ll get word of my package.</p>

<p>Interesting enough- the corrected ISIR she put through over a week ago, well, it’s already updated on. Even I received notification 4 days ago via email of it, but they still show it at being “not received”. </p>

<p>Remember- I filled out that form last Tuesday, and they have it online. It allows them to reduce my UI to zero. </p>

<p>We shall see.</p>

<p>Financial Aid has been the biggest adventure of higher education thus far. I’m hoping my anatomy and physiology is easier on the mind. heh</p>

68

<p>It’s an adventure for sure! Good luck and let us know how it all turns out for you…I still wish you were going to school in a city with better job opportunities, but I completely understand how you feel stuck right now.</p>

69

<p>I appreciate it. I’ve got a decent budget set out based on my ‘estimated’ financial aid package, plus selling off my last few possessions. </p>

<p>I just hope I’m not waiting till the last week for approval of a package. heh</p>

70

<p>Are there work study jobs available at the school. If so, you can try to get some of those to meet your need.</p>

71

<p>Yeah I signed up for Federal Work Study, but was told by the first counselor I went to visit that thousands of those letters required to get a job on campus had been given out. We’ll see- I know the jobs are totally flexible in their schedules. Would be nice.</p>

<p>Well I’m convinced my assigned financial aid counselor is either too busy, or has some reading comprehension problems.</p>

<p>When faced with the questions “so what, if anything, will be zeroed out? And when can I expect to get the results/a financial aid package?”</p>

<p>She answered, “I cannot remove the $2,400 of untax income”. She keeps using ‘untax’ rather than ‘untaxed’, that’s not a type-o.</p>

<p>/bangheadonwall</p>

<p>Literally, that was the only line I sent.</p>

<p>“should I come up to the office and meet with you? When would be a good time- last week I went to meet with you and was told you were unavailable”</p>

<p>her response: “the $2,400 has to be counted”</p>

<p>What?</p>

<p>Oy vey ist mir</p>

<p>She also failed to notice that I had unemployment income even after last week submitting an income reduction form with another counselor. It’s online for everyone to see. </p>

<p>/bangheadonwall</p>

<p>I’m hoping/praying it’s just that she’s really extraordinarily busy right now, and not normally that…off. I’m concerned because she seems so busy (or …whatever). One counselor helps put my mind at ease and explains school policy- done in 10 minutes, filled out a form that my counselor failed to notice I need. My counselor can’t read a 2 sentence email and give an appropriate answer. </p>

<p>We’re over 60 days since they’ve gotten my SAR. Even worse- I’ve gotten notification from FAFSA showing my new SAR, and noting that my school made the change. My counselor/school says it’s not done yet. </p>

<p>/bangheadonwall</p>

<p>Frustration!</p>

<p>Edit: I forgot the gem- Earlier in our email convos, for what they’re worth, I asked (simply) “Is there any reason why the $2,400 is not zeroed out, but the rest of my unemployment income is zeroed out? The $2,400 is unemployment income of course”. Her response: I’d need to speak with her boss for the answer as she didn’t know.</p>

<p>/bangheadonwall</p>

72

<p>15K of loans is a bit hefty for freshman year. Especially if it ends up being 15K each year (60K debt upon graduation). Ask yourself this: if in a worst case scenario you were knocked off track after your Junior year (45K in student debt!) and unemployed - how well could you handle the monthly debt payments? You’d be paying out at least $400/month to service that level of debt! I am not doubting your drive to finish, I am just pointing out how <em>vulnerable</em> you are when taking out that kind of debt over the next four years.</p>

<p>A few more issues to consider. First, I would be asking if those nursing grants for subsequent years are a “sure thing” or limited/competitive, and if the latter, to know exactly one’s likelihood of getting one.</p>

<p>Same scrutiny about the “work for 2-years” forgiveness programs - how well funded are they, does everyone that applies for the forgiveness program get a spot, and is this program well established so that it is guaranteed to be there 4 years from now when you need it?</p>

<p>Also, you mention that your local community college has a “bad rating” and have that as a main reason to not attend your most affordable option. That may be an unwise financial choice. It is not too late to switch. As long as you ace your classes at a CC, the 4year schools (including the one you intent to attend this fall) very likely do NOT care one whit about the ranking/rating of community colleges when determining which transfer students to accept. Thus, I highly doubt there is any real impact in terms of being able to transfer and complete your degree.</p>

<p>And finally, since you are entering as a new freshman and I haven’t seen you discuss the following (ie: any past experience with college courses or general aptitude) - are you certain you are cut out for this field? I ask with all gentleness, as my own sister went back to school for nursing and struggled tremendously with the required math and chemistry. She is brilliant–but not with math. Her best efforts have still meant a struggle and several delays/repeats. She had overestimated her ability and/or underestimated the difficulty of some of her classes. She is currently on the fence about whether to continue with nursing or perhaps move to a related career field such as social work. </p>

<p>The reason I bring this up is that this kind of snag with the actual course-work can mean 1) adding a few semesters to the plan if need remedial college classes or have to retake any classes 2) if you do switch away from nursing for any reason OR do not finish your degree for any reason you are now stuck with up to 60K in educational loans with no direct career option AND no loan-forgiveness work program.</p>

<p>Perhaps you are a math-wiz, but there are other life events that can knock you out of the running for smoothly finishing your nursing degree. My words of caution are primarily aimed at the slightly worrying figure of 15K a year in loans and to urge you still at this late date to consider more affordable routes to the degree. </p>

<p>Best of luck.</p>

73

<p>$5,500 in Pell
$9,500 in Federal loans.</p>

<p>Reapplying to the CC requires retesting, and given a recent bout of highly publicized drama at their campus, isn’t something I look forward to. </p>

<p>Given the problems I’m encountering at this 4 year school just for financial aid, I’m already having doubts of going to school at all.</p>

<p>I believe I’ve stated I’m enrolled in 1 semester of intermediate math. It will be a nice refresher. </p>

<p>I appreciate your concern, however, 9,500, while the max I can get in Federal loans through my school, is what I need to get by. Further, as I’m sure many folks on here are aware- the government just removed over 160,000 Work Study jobs from the Federal Work Study program due to the economy. If I can get a work study job, great, if not, I have a budget.</p>

<p>2nd year federal loans are 1,000 more max- 10,500. I’ll probably need every bit of that. 3rd and 4th year I’ll be helped, it is hoped, by the various state and federal grants and loans for nursing students. </p>

<p>I really don’t have a choice. Right now your suggesting that I not go to school, take no risk, and stay as I am. Honestly, it’s not great advise, sorry.</p>

74

<p>“3rd and 4th year I’ll be helped, it is hoped, by the various state and federal grants and loans for nursing students.”</p>

<p>My advice is to look aggressively into the likelihood that these grant programs will still be available and relatively easy to get–to take the “hope” out of it and crunch some real numbers about availability.</p>

<p>"I really don’t have a choice. Right now your suggesting that I not go to school, take no risk, and stay as I am. Honestly, it’s not great advise, sorry. "</p>

<p>Not once in my post did I suggest you not go to school. I am suggesting that CC is probably a more viable route, even though it may take another round of dancing with a new FA office. At the most extreme interpretation of my advice, entry into college could be delayed, but not necessarily. </p>

<p>I also never suggested you should not take risks. My advice is to take educated and informed risks–and I pointed out a few angles that had yet to be discussed. The 15K in loans per year (about 10K in Federal and 5K in private is what you had quoted) adds up quickly over four years and if you get knocked off track with no degree/career in nursing to show for it you will be in a bad spot. </p>

<p>To suggest to someone to limit their financial liabilities is not the same as telling them to not pursue a dream or to “take no risk”. There is more than one route to a nursing degree (some of them cheaper than others).</p>

<p>"Honestly, it’s not great advise, sorry. "</p>

<p>I stand by my advice. In fact, I dare say it is amazing advice. It may not be something you want follow or even willing to seriously contemplate (you have a sense of urgency that precludes looking alternatives right now), but it is still very good advice. Simply because you choose to not take it does not discount its value.</p>

75

<p>My advice, and this has been truth since before you were most likely ever on the internet, is that you at least make some effort to read all of a thread, or the first few and last few posts of a thread prior to commenting. It saves everyone a bundle of time/effort.</p>

<p>There is no 15K in loans. No 15K in loans. No 15K in loans. </p>

<p>In other to go to CC it will also take another round of testing, and a new FAFSA, all of which needs to be processed in 30 days. I’ll stay where I am for a semester.</p>

<p>As stated- I’ve worked out a budget based upon the estimated 15K in Grants and loans. There is no 15K in loans, only 9500 in loans, and honestly, that isn’t even my concern at this point.</p>

<p>My concern is with the financial aid counselor giving me conflicting information from her peers, and not answering questions in even anything resembling a proper response. </p>

<p>I appreciate your advice on loans. Did I mention I was near 40? With a credit history? While Financial Aid processes are a mystery to me (and to be fair they are with the NASFAA and the Dept. of Ed- neither of which agree on anything), it doesn’t mean I’m unaware of budgeting, loans, interest, etc. </p>

<p>Further- I have also prepared contingency plans for late FA approval. That’s not my concern at the moment.</p>

76

<p>From your post #60</p>

<p>“$9500 in loans from the school, $5500 in a Pell grant, roughly $5K in private loan.”</p>

<p>Those are your words. Your earlier posts did not mention the $5K in private loans, but #60 did and that is what I went on. (So what’s up with this 5K in private loan?) 9500 loans plus 5K in private = 15K in loans. At least for the first year. That’s where I got the number. </p>

<p>You mistakenly assume I did not read this ENTIRE stupid thread. I have. </p>

<p>You need to make more allowances in this process of people trying to help you. Assume the BEST in others.</p>

<p>I am also in the 40 year old range, with a gainfully employed husband as well, and I would think twice about taking on 40 - 60K in debt. In theory, if you went CC first, you could cut your total debt cost almost in half! That is not something to dismiss too quickly when one needs to also look ahead to retirement accounts, etc. You would have the SAME final nursing degree but at almost half the debt… </p>

<p>One can have a credit history and be aware of loans and etc - but be so wrapped up in “Plan A” that one ignores that “Plan B” not only gets you to the same end point at a fraction of the cost. </p>

<p>Btw, you do not need to fill out another or new FAFSA. There is a place on the online form to simply add the code of another/new college.</p>

<p>“My advice, and this has been truth since before you were most likely ever on the internet, is that you at least make some effort to read all of a thread, or the first few and last few posts of a thread prior to commenting.”</p>

<p>I have been on the internet since 1990. My first modem was 1200 BAUD. My CRT had green text, LOL. I used to have a working PDP11 in my livingroom (sigh, don’t ask!). I am plenty internet-savvy. I was on the internet before there really was “threads”. You would do well to stop over-assuming every tiny detail of motivation/actions because you are waaaaay off once again.</p>

77

<p>Anni- I won’t post your original message, no worries. </p>

<p>Update: Financial Aid officer updated my ISIR which increased my EFC to 5,909, but awarded $2,000 in Pell grant, still allowing my financial contribution to be…$5,909.</p>

<p>…more than I earned, minus UI, in 2009.</p>

<p>My UI was no zeroed out, and there is no appeal process for financial aid at my school. </p>

<p>Thus ends my educational career.</p>

<p>Thanks all for the help.</p>

78

<p>These loans amounts are too high and unnecessary.</p>

<p>No big deal to “retest” at a CC. I can’t imagine a CC having difficult entry tests - if they have them at all.</p>

<p>NO NEW FAFSA is needed, just add the CC to your current one so the info gets sent.</p>

<p>I can’t imagine letting a few req’d tests keep me from continuing my education. Go to a CC for the next year or so, and then transfer to a university. </p>

<p>You’re borrowing too much.</p>

79

<p>Not going this semester or possibly not until Fall 2011.</p>

<p>Simply can’t afford it. with 9,500 in Federal loans I still require near-full Pell to get by regardless.</p>

80

<p>Well, you certainly can’t afford that school. I think that I would just move on and try a different school…aid practices and professional judgement are variables you’ll have to deal with but it does sound as if this school is particularly difficult for some reason. But, since you’re not working right now, you might as well knock out some pre-requisites at the local CC even if you’re not a big fan of the school. The longer you wait, the less time you’ll have to recoup your investment.</p>