<p>Nothing to be ashamed of but I know what you mean. People at our school are very noisy and judge people highly on the schools they attend. I’m a junior and even now everyone wants to know what everyone else’s ACT score. It is very easy for people to know someone else’s score. I dodge the question with telling them how I feel about the situation (needs to be higher etc.). I’m sure something like this would work if your are really nervous about telling people but remember, NO SHAME (smart)</p>
<p>Well the only reason I’d be going to community college is to get my AA. I don’t see myself magically coming up with the money I need at the end of those two years, so If I go to CC I don’t see myself transferring afterwords. </p>
<p>Thank you all for the responses, for now I’m simply sticking with I’m not sure. If they want to know what schools I’ve gotten into, I have no issue sharing.</p>
<p>Yea, if you already have college credit, you shouldn’t retake things! That’s a waste of money. It would be better to take a gap year.</p>
<p>One thing you CAN do, that I would recommend - if your CC has a certification program in AutoCad or some other drafting/design program, I would recommend you get that certification, go get an EXTREMELY DECENT paying job, and save your money for your engineering degree. If you actually already have some of the college credits, you may be able to bankroll that certification into an actual AA/AS.</p>
<p>Either way, nothing to be ashamed of. There are a LOT of people in the workforce that have been quite successful with ONLY an AA from a CC, and no bachelors at all.</p>
<p>Another thing to consider is that salaries for engineers are now high enough to fairly easily offset the cost of acquired student loans. I wouldn’t let a lack of initial funding set me off from going to a public university. Especially with a scholarship that covers half the cost. Do the math. Make a guess at what you’ll be making after 4 years. Write out a budget and see if paying those student loans fits into the budget. Also, don’t forget co-ops in the summer. Engineering co-ops can sometimes pay BIG BUCKS.</p>
<p>Be proud! Do what’s best and financially sound!</p>
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<p>However, if you start at CC and then transfer, you may need to take only 4-5 semesters at a four year school, versus 6-8 semesters otherwise. This can significantly reduce the overall cost and debt you need to handle in the process of getting your degree.</p>
<p>You can also become an officer in the military with a 2 year degree. The pay an benefits are surprisingly good, and you’ll be able to use the GI bill to finish up your education when you get out.</p>
<p>Alternatively, you can get ROTC to pay for your school and then go into the military afterwards.</p>
<p>“My goal is to earn my bachelor’s debt free, so I’m starting at the community college so I can save <insert xxx=”" thousands="">. Where are you going?</insert></p>
<p>I’m confused, why do you think you are not eligible for federal loans? Not to discount going to the CC but it sounds like you would rather go to a 4 year school. Everyone that fills out the FAFSA is eligible for federal loans unless they have a felony conviction. The amount offered through that program is more than the $20,000 you would need. I would also caution you that the scholarships you will be eligible for as a transfer student are likely to be much smaller than you would get as a freshman.</p>
<p>‘College of Hard Knocks’</p>
<p>SteveMA - that’s what I was thinking. He may not be able to get a parent plus - parents might not cosign or something - but he should be able to get loans no trouble.</p>
<p>I know that my D3, engineering student has been a bit disheartened because band activities have kept her from getting a part time job, and she’s worried about student loans. But when we sat down with a pencil and looked at co-op pay and beginning salaries for mechanical engineers, suddenly those student loans didn’t seem so bad! :)</p>
<p>I don’t know if they do, but I guess I could look into it. I’m terrible with my hands though, so if it requires any innate skill it isn’t going to happen.</p>
<p>@Cromette, it isn’t an option for me. I’ve looked left and right for private loans, and no one is willing to give me anything. I am not eligble for a federal loan either, as I am considered dependent, but I won’t be receiving a penny from my family for school or living expenses. I do not have a cosigner for anything either.</p>
<p>@AeroMike, I have thought about the military, but ultimately my strong dislike for the organization, the government in general, is too much for me to handle.</p>
<p>@SteveMA, my parents techincally have a very high income which means I am eligble for nothing (according to FAFSA).</p>
<p>Subsidized, you don’t need a parental cosigner for most federal student loans. My kids have thousands of dollars in student loans every year, and turn thousands more down and I don’t cosign on any of them, and they are dependents.</p>
<p>You need to talk to a financial adviser at a college.</p>
<p>Subsidized–I think you need to call the financial aid office at the college, not the community college, the 4 year school you want to attend. Federal unsubsidized student loans go to ANYONE that fills out the FAFSA. It doesn’t matter how much your parents make, at all, even if they are bazillionaires. I think someone gave you incorrect information. You do not need a co-signer for the federal loans. If you got enough merit money and can cover the rest of your costs through the fed loans, go to the 4 year school like you want!! There is a max on what you can take-works out to be $27,000ish over the 4 years (goes up a bit each year usually). I think projected for the class of 2013 is close to $30,000 over the 4 years. Please look into this if you really want to go to the 4 year school.</p>
<p>Yep, SteveMA is right. You need to get some help at the financial aid office. You’ve been misinformed. Plus, they deal with this kind of thing all the time. They may have other ideas for you too.</p>
<p>AND, if you’re engineering school material, after your sophomore year, you may not even have to take out loans anymore. You might land a co-op position that will just about pay for your school.</p>
<p>Hmm that would be very good news. So even as a minor, I could still obtain a loan without a cosigner? </p>
<p>I’ll look into a bit more, I just don’t want to get my family involved (the forms for FAFSA) until I’m certain. Looks like the deadline is coming pretty soon though.</p>
<p>[Subsidized</a> and Unsubsidized Loans | Federal Student Aid](<a href=“http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized]Subsidized”>http://studentaid.ed.gov/types/loans/subsidized-unsubsidized)</p>
<p>Limit is $31,000 for four years, of which $23,000 may be subsidized. (You probably do not want to borrow more than this anyway.)</p>
<p>You know… I wouldn’t be worried about what other people think about your choices. Make the choice that’s best for you. True brillance plays the hand thats dealt in smartest possible fashion. Stay focused on the end game–what ever that is. (no debt, transfer, AA degree, employment?) Have plan and stick to it. Be flexible to make adjustments as needed with out getting off track. If you follow your plan in 6 years you’ll be miles ahead of your peers (who are struggling with student loans or who live off daddy) and well down road to productive adulthood. Good Luck. Hold your head high.</p>
<p>“To h*** in a handbasket. Why? Where are you going?”</p>
<p>Subsidized–trust us, it IS certain that you can take out the federal loans without a co-signer. They have been that way for over 30 years. Get started on the FAFSA, now, today. If your parents have filled out their tax returns and will let you use them, you don’t need their help. It’s all online and you can fill out the information yourself. If you need assistance doing that, post on the financial aid forum here otherwise, there is a small help section that tells you exactly which line of the tax return you need to use to fill in the blank.</p>