What do i do?

Paying for College
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<p>wHEN I APPLIED for the loans, they asked for my Dad’s income. So they wanted me two get my dad’s w-2 forms just to verify his income and how many were living in the household. He called fasfa and asked whether or not by him giving the w-2’s he’d be responsible for the school loans. Why would you ask that? That was when i first took out the loans a year ago. </p>

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<p>kittykat, I am afraid that you do not really understand the loans you have borrowed. The reason you were asked for your dad’s income is because you are a dependent student for financial aid purposes. All dependent students are required to report the income of their parent(s). If you are selected for verification, you are required to provide documentation of your income and the parent income to the school. All of this is required for you to take out STUDENT loans that YOU are required to pay back. You completed entrance counseling, correct? The entrance counseling explains that the loans are yours and yours alone to repay. As far as why your father would call FAFSA & ask if by providing his W2’s he would be responsible for repaying the loans, it doesn’t matter … legally, YOU are the only one who is responsible for repaying the loans. You would not have been able to get them if your dad hadn’t provided his income verification, but they are still your loans.</p>

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<p>How are you funding the rest of the bill? Very few schools would have a COA of $6500 or less, even for a commuter! </p>

<p>If you became Pell eligible with a family size of 3, I don’t think your dad is making the kind of money you think he is. Even $50K a year is not a lot of money in certain parts of the country. But the Pell grant is set in stone, btw - it’s a federal grant and is entirely based on your EFC. The amount only changes if you drop below full time or have an estimated cost of attendance under $5550.</p>

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<p>kittycat:</p>

<p>I stand by my advice. It is very good advice. But not everyone will want to try it on for size.</p>

<p>As always on a public forum, you can take it or leave it. Name calling is unnecessary.</p>

<p>Annikasorrensen</p>

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<p>kittycat,</p>

<p>It sounds like there’s a lot of baggage and you may be COMPLETELY justified in your anger towards your father but you need to understand that he’s really not responsible for giving you <em>anything</em> once you turn 18yo unless it was in the divorce decree. I suspect there’s way more to this story (because you’re completely understanding of your mom’s inability to pay) but just a few caveats:
1- If he owes back child support or you think he should have provided more support up to now, that’s between him and your mom-- it’s not $ that goes to you anyway.
2- There are kids who post on the financial aid forum all the time that their parents refuse to fill out the FAFSA. The kids can’t even get Pell grants because they don’t have their parents’ info. You need to realize that if he gets angry and stops filling it out, it could affect your ability to finish your degree. </p>

<p>So… you are right: you can’t depend on his to repay the loans. If you sign, you are responsible. Just take out what you need. Thankfully, you have a good major and $24K in loans for an accounting major isn’t that much. If possible, ask for part of the loan to be awarded as work-study. The work-study jobs my kids have had were almost the most flexible jobs of their lives; if they had a big exam, they would be able to study or take a day off.</p>

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<p>To SKR8mom: I do REALIZE I will get a PELL grant. However, the “amount” of the grant is not set in stone. My dad makes 85,000 a year as I know since I had to submit copies of his W-2 for Dependent verification. As I said earlier in the thread he’s far from rich, but he’s not broke either. As a commuter my school fees are 10K a year at this university. I funded the bill through school loan befor. However, know it’ll be the grant and if any isn’t covered by the grant and school loan will cover the rest.</p>

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<p>To Kelseysmom: I COMPLETELY understand and KNOW that they asked for his W-2 for dependent verification. They didn’t ask for my W-2 cause I put down I don’t work;WHICH I DON’T. I do know that FASFA is ONLY holding ME responsible for the loans. This isn’t about whether he has to pay the loan. This is about how I can make sure HE KEEPS HIS PROMISE AND HELPS WITH PART OF THE LOAN since he PROMISED he would do so.</p>

<p>“wHEN I APPLIED for the loans, they asked for my Dad’s income. So they wanted me two get my dad’s w-2 forms just to verify his income and how many were living in the household. He called fasfa and asked whether or not by him giving the w-2’s he’d be responsible for the school loans. Why would you ask that? That was when i first took out the loans a year ago.” I said WHY would he ask that if he claimed to me he would help pay half my school loans. I clearly understand that they were MY school loans leaglly mine. Yes, i did the entrace conseling explaining they were mine to pay. However, you missed the point as usual. I’m asking how i can make sure he will pay half as he promised to. He should help me with the part he promised he would help with (50%).The comment you quoted was directed at MOM2Collegekids.</p>

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<p>annikasorensen: I NEVER called you a name. I said you were rude plain and simple. It’s like if a person bumps in front of you at the coffee shop without saying excuse me; I would say he/she is rude.</p>

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<p>2collegewego: I know he’s not legally responsible to pay the loans because I’m in Caifornia. Many states don’t require parents to pay for their kids expenses past 18. However, some states like New York hold parents legally responsible with helping their kids with their college expense till they’re 21 years old.However in cali there’s no such law. But I should be able to do something legally since he promised he would pay half of my school expenses. As one mod in this thread earlier maybe get him to sign to what he said. It’s about him keeping his promise. Since he promised me that he would pay half of my school loans he should now be responsible for his promise. I came here to find out how i could make sure he kept to his promise. FASFA does have an expected family contribution which state how much your family should help with college expenses. However, I know that legally he dosen’t have to, but fasfa expects it. Furthermore, with his promise he should be held to his word.</p>

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<p>kitty,</p>

<p>“FASFA does have an expected family contribution which state how much your family should help with college expenses.”</p>

<p>Schools also expect students to contribute to their education and, unless you pay your loans, it looks like you’re not.</p>

<p>I have no idea how your father is earning $85,00 with 3 people in the house and you’re getting a Pell Grant. The income limits are lower.</p>

<p>I want to explain something to you: I understand that you want him to fulfill his promise. I understand what mom2collegekids (who, by the way, is not a mod) advised. Personally, I think it’s awful advice but everyone has a right to an opinion. I’m divorced. My parents are divorced. I understand the problem you’re having but the simple fact is you can’t make your dad be the person you want him to be-- even if you try to say that his promise is a verbal contract. You may end up cutting your nose to spite your face. (Because if you try to get it in writing, he may tell you to get out or he may tell you next year that he won’t sign your FAFSA-- because his call leads me to believe that he was wary of filling it out.) You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. </p>

<p>You said he promised to pay half your loans back but then you posted he agreed to pay for half your school expenses. Those are different things. I’m assuming if he promised to contribute to your college, it’s not part of the support agreement or order, right? Could he consider giving you room and board his contribution? (Do you contribute to household expenses or does he pay your cell phone, car insurance and/or health insurance?)</p>

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<p>2collegewego: i have no idea yet how much the pell grant will be for it could be 1,500 1,000, or as little as 100 worth. I’ll find out the pell grant amont in the next week or 2. I’ll be glad to update you and everyonelse with that info. I’m not sure either, but out of all 3 in the household he’s the ONLY one with income. I know when there were only 2 people i qualified for no grants, but could get loans. When i said i he would pay for half my school expenses that was to include school loans and my dad knew that. However, for you guys here on the forums i must specify things, so i will he said he would pay half my school loans.</p>

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<p>The mod i’m talking about is chedva, you can see his or her post of the 1 pg of this thread. Yes, i live at home and he does pay for household expenses.</p>

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<p>“The mod i’m talking about is chedva, you can see his or her post of the 1 pg of this thread.”</p>

<p>You are right. Chedva suggested a promissary note and mom2collegekids suggested the email. I still disagree. :smiley: </p>

<p>“Yes, i live at home and he does pay for household expenses.”</p>

<p>Ok, if he’s supporting you, then you are dependant on him. Realize that if you had to pay for your room and board (and cell, car insurance and health insurance), it could easily cost you $10K/year. So you don’t want to risk that. Instead, why don’t you consider (just consider) coming up with a plan that has a better chance of working? For example, you could ask him if you could continue to live at his house for six months to one year after you graduate? You could use the money you save on rent to make loan payments. You would easily save $1K a month-- the same amount ($12K) he offered to pay. </p>

<p>I also want you to know that most parents in this country with college-age kids expect their kids to get a job or work. I’m telling you this because if you ever ended up in court with your dad, it may not be very clear cut. He didn’t do x, but he did y and z that he didn’t have to do. You would be much better off trying to find a creative solution that works for both of you.</p>

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<p>2collegewego: I appreciate what my dad has done, but i feel a promise is a promise. I mean if someone promised you something i’m sure you wouldn’t expect them to possibly not keep it. Let me guess something about you, correct me if i’m mistaken. You’re a divorced single parent who has a kid/and or kids in college and you offer no assistance with loans. In addition, you don’t support your kid/and or kids since they’re over 18.</p>

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<p>Actually, kittycat, not only are you wrong, but this isn’t about me. This is about you. Lots of people are trying to help you here but you are stuck in your anger. I am an adult who learned years ago that the best solution is one in which everyone wins. </p>

<p>Frankly, your posts are filled with errors. </p>

<p>“I know he’s not legally responsible to pay the loans because I’m in Caifornia.”</p>

<p>No, no matter what state he lived in, he wouldn’t be responsible to pay the loans. </p>

<p>Also, unless your school meets full EFC with no loans (so, basically, unless you’re attending Stanford since I believe that’s the only Cali school that agrees to do that), your student loans are YOUR part of the contribution. Stafford loans are always <em>the student’s</em> part of the contribution, not the parent’s. If you received a Pell Grant, the school estimated that his part of the contribution is under $5500-- and he is already providing more than that with room, board, health insurance and personal expenses. So when you write that FAFSA expects the parent to contribute-- you are ignoring the fact that he already is contributing. </p>

<p>So… if you KNOW he’s not going to pay back those loans (which you do), stop taking them out. And if you know he won’t pay, try to figure out a way that works for everyone.</p>

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<p><a href=“http://www.rbs2.com/son_edu.pdf[/url]”>http://www.rbs2.com/son_edu.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Read the article above state laws requiring support for kids college education varies from state to state and is changing over time in each state. New York requires parents to support kids up to 21 and pay for college up till 21. However, in california legally the buck stops at 18 unless there’s a divorce agreement specifying to pay for college or written agreement specifing to do so.</p>

<p>You’re are ignorant on state laws regarding post majority support.</p>

<p>You never answered my question. Are you a divorced parent who dosen’t support their kids since they’re over 18; even if they’re in college. many other fellow posters stated if they had kids and whether they help with their college or not. You on the other hand haven’t. I ask because you’re so quick to say you don’t agree with those saying he should keep his promise or those mentioning they helped there kids in college.</p>

<p>I want to see what i can do to make sure he dosen’t renage on his promise.</p>

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<p>I’m not 100% percent sure he won’t help pay the loans like he said. However, I’m far from 100% sure he will either. I’m not sure what he will do, but I want something to make sure he does in case.</p>

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<p>kittycat,</p>

<p>I am familiar with laws involving this but you are mixing up apples and oranges. Even if a state or judge requires a parent to provide support for their children’s college education, it does not mean the parent has to pay the student’s loans. And courts and judges take into account the parent’s ability to pay (meaning income) when they decide on support. Your father DOES support you while in college-- apparently at least the amount of support that FAFSA estimates he should.</p>

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<p>That’s easy…it’s likely because anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of credit understands that loans can affect one’s credit score. From your earlier comments, it sounds like he is careful with his credit usage and that’s a very prudent question for him to ask.</p>

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<p>NY does NOT require full support of children over the age of 18 and does NOT require parents to pay for college. Kittycat, I am a divorced custodial parent in NY and there are many kids here who get nothing from their parents after high school - not even room/board. The FAFSA EFC disregards so many “real life” factors such as cost of living, consumer debt, etc. that few families I know can afford to meet it without their kid’s contribution from Stafford loans and they expect them to work to pay for their books, personal expenses, etc…even then, it’s still difficult for many parents. </p>

<p>I am not an attorney, but the work that you’re citing discusses the financial obligations that MAY be imposed on non-custodial parents…your dad is obviously not a NCP. Court-ordered child support does not end at 18 here, but many NCP’s are not required to pay anything extra toward college costs. As 2collegewego said, it depends on the financial situations of the parties involved and the court. If a NCP fails to meet their court-ordered obligations, my understanding is that the custodial parent (not the kid) can take legal steps to try to collect the debt, but it’s often a case of trying to get blood from a stone and can take years. But, even if you were in NY, your dad is a custodial parent and your mom would be the one under the support order, assuming she has any income other than SSDI. </p>

<p>I support my kids and their educational expenses to the extent that I’m able, which does not include taking or paying loans for them, but their dad is unable to contribute much due to illness. His support agreement does not include anything for college expenses. In addition to paying a portion of their college costs, my kids are also responsible for clothing, cell phones, and gas/maintenance for their vehicles. Whenever possible, they work full time during breaks and summers and about 10 hours per week while they’re in school, which has kept their loan amounts low. They seem to have enough time to see friends, participate in sports and other interests, and, so far, it hasn’t affected their grades (fwiw, my D worked 32 hours a week this summer, did a 12 hour/week unpaid internship, and finished 3 summer classes with a 4.0). Through the contacts they make, they have been able to move into progressively better jobs and get good references, scholarships, etc. and the same is true for many of their friends. As a junior, you need to start thinking about this as a resume with nothing on it other than a degree will not open many doors for you and you’ll be in competition for jobs with grads who have relevant experience and references. Accounting is a field where you hone your skills and develop judgement in the “real world”. Interpersonal skills are key in business so getting some office experience now would be a very good idea.</p>

<p>Regarding the Pell, it is awarded according to the same schedule at every school:
<a href=“http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/P1003PellPaymentSchedules.pdf[/url]”>http://ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/attachments/P1003PellPaymentSchedules.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Your dad’s $85K income must be offset by some fairly substantial adjustments in order for you to qualify…as you know, gross income is not what determines EFC, AGI does. Did he have investment or other losses? Many of us have taken a big hit in this recession and he may be trying to regain some ground, pay off a mortgage or other debt, or save for retirement so that he doesn’t have to rely on you for support in his old age! Since there simply are no steps that you can reasonably take to guarantee that he’ll help pay your loans, it would be wise to leave it alone and focus on keeping those loans as low as possible and maintaining a good relationship with him instead of harboring fear and resentment. Money will come and go, but that relationship is priceless.</p>

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<p>I understand that you’re not working during the school year in order to keep your grades up, but why not during the summer break? </p>

<p>I agree with those who say that you should assume that you will be repaying the loans yourself. This would be the prudent approach for anyone to take; an accounting major should certainly understand this. If your father does end up helping to repay, that’s great, but you shouldn’t count on it. You could force the issue by having your father sign something, but then going to court to pursue nonpayment has its own risks and expenses. You should also be aware that some employers will conduct background checks on prospective employees. These checks can include seeing if you’ve been involved in any civil court issues. If there are several candidates being considered for one job opening, and one of the candidates is currently a plaintiff suing her father, guess who’s not going to be getting that job?</p>

<p>And before you ask, I’m married and intend to support my children through college.</p>

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<p>With 3 in the household, I don’t see how you’d qualify for Pell when Dad earns $85k.</p>

<p>BTW…do parents get to count “live ins girlfriends” as household members on FAFSA? </p>

<p>It would seem weird to do so, because if a “live in” had an income, you don’t get to count that income.</p>