<p>So I am going to college this fall and fortunately, I do not have to pay for it. My tuition is covered as well as room and board (and I think books too). The problem is, this summer my job search has come up futile and I'm worried that I wont be able to afford to get basic essentials for college or arrive there with no money at all. I live far away and somethings I would need to ship to college, plus I need to fly there myself. That's another $500, plus a cheap laptop. I'm sure that dorm things will cost well over $1000, plus I have very few clothes. I'm wondering if there is anyway that I can take out a student loan to pay for these things, even if I dont owe any money to school. Or are there grants that I can get? I think that any scholarships will simply replace the money that I'm already getting from Rice. What can I do?</p>
<p>keep looking for a job - do odd jobs like lawn mowing, trash hauling, house cleaning. Search craigslist for jobs and other stuff. It is still only June.</p>
<p>Well I’m doing odd jobs now but it’s really not paying a lot. I’ve made about $120 so far this summer doing that. And I’m not too certain I want to do anything with Craigslist. After the CL Killer and plus I dont have a car, I dont think that’s a good option. I’ve really been hitting the streets hard. One of the most common reasons that I get denied is that I’m not going to be here long. Also, the vast majority of places arent hiring at all. I really dont know what to do.</p>
<p>Stop telling places you aren’t going to be there long. Worked like a charm for my sister. You may not be able to come back or get a recommendation (they might be ****ed), but it would solve your current problem.</p>
<p>well I know not to tell them that but usually they ask me and I tell them the truth.</p>
<p>You can take a student loan for any remaining need (COA - student aid awarded). You can’t borrow anything over the COA, as the school won’t certify the loan. You can ask the school to increase your COA for transportation and personal expenses, but the loan will go to the school and they will have to distribute it to you. This doesn’t normally happen until after classes start so you’ll probably have to fund your needs yourself (a credit card or loan from a relative are a couple of options). I would carefully read your FA award letter and then call the FA office and discuss it with them. You might also ask when/if any unused financial aid gets distributed so you’ll know when to expect your book/travel/other expense money. </p>
<p>Don’t go crazy buying clothes and dorm stuff. Lots of kids take way too much with them and end up never using it and having to get it all home again. There are Ikeas, Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, etc. in Texas and you can pick up alot of what you need when you get there. If you’re going to a different climate, you might want to do some clothes shopping when you get there as well. That will save you alot of shipping costs too.</p>
<p>and another problem with getting a job is that I’m not 18 yet, and a lot of places want you to be an adult.</p>
<p>I was planning to get a lot of stuff there but I did want to take the essentials with me. I dont think that I’ll need to send more than a box or two but then to take baggage on the plane is extra money.</p>
<p>You are very, very fortunate and people would kill to have what you have in the way of having your college experience covered. Can your parents, or a close relative host a graduation party for you? Cash gifts are always great and can help reduce the cost of your expenses. Also have you applied to any outside scholarships? Sometimes it is a small enough amount to cover your books, airfare and supplies.
Babysitting is an option or being a mother’s helper, running errands, taking children to activities. The town pool where we live have teenagers there (free lance) who can watch children while parents drop them off and return later in the day. In this economy you really have to be resourceful and find creative ways to earn cash.</p>
<p>so I really don’t have any other options other than hoping and praying for a job?</p>
<p>Did you call Rice?!</p>
<p>Did you even consider any of the suggestions?
Seems like you want everything handed to you.</p>
<p>Not having a car – depends on job and area. One of my Ds friends got a job – she takes a bus to the peoples house, is there when the kids gets off the camp bus at 4, and stays till 9. Watches kids till parents get home, cleans while they have dinner, cleans up after dinner. Then her mom picks her up. </p>
<p>As to CL, what my Ds friends do is be careful. Never go to someones house for an interview without a friend. Tell potential employer in advance – if they are good people they will appreciate your desire for safety. Ask them for a reference.</p>
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[QUOTE=pyles_m]
I’m sure that dorm things will cost well over $1000
[/quote]
Sorry you’re having trouble finding a short-term job, but I’m trying to figure out how you could cram $1,:eek::eek::eek: worth of stuff into a dorm room. What do you think you’re going to need there? How about raiding your bedroom? About the only thing that might have to be purchased new is a set of sheets to fit the dorm bed. New clothes might be nice, but are optional (there are laundry facilities on campus, you know ;)).</p>
<p>Rice has fabulous computer labs open all hours, so a laptop might be nice but is optional (a $20-40 thumb drive will do just fine).</p>
<p>A plane ticket from Cincinnatti, Columbus, or Dayton to Houston in August is around $140 on Expedia. A ticket from Atlanta is around $120. You can probably do better if you shop around.</p>
<p>Flat-rate boxes are $8-9 to ship. They’re not very large, but you can cram a lot into a single box – especially if you use the plastic bag/vacuum cleaner trick on fabric items. A full-sized pillow, sheets, and blanket, vacuum-packed, will all fit in a single flat-rate box!</p>
<p>When I was in college, most of my dorming friends furnished their rooms with plastic crates from the grocery store (not that I recommend this since taking the crates is probably illegal, but you may find other ideas for do-it-yourself stuff on the cheap).</p>
<p>While you continue your job search, I’d suggest you start working on a realistic budget for what you’ll need immediately, then check with Rice on possible work-study options for the Fall and plan to augment your furnishings during the school year. You’ll be in good company, as just about all of us have to delay gratification to live within our means.</p>
<p>Good luck! :)</p>