<p>I am currently enrolled for my senior year at UCSD but I cannot afford it. My parents make too much money for me to qualify for any financial aid, but they refuse to help me pay for school. They have been telling me to drop out if I can't afford it myself. I'm 21 years old, unmarried with no children, and not a veteran, so the school won't let me file as an independent. Another drag is that my Stafford Loans are maxed out at $5,500 and my Plus Loan ($17,000) requires a parent as a co-signer, but they are unwilling to co-sign. I just moved to San Diego last year so it's difficult to find a job that pays enough to support me. The entire summer I have been working 12 hours a day at an aluminum factory to try to make enough money, but it's not enough. When school starts I can't work that much or I will fail. I have a 3.5 GPA right now and want to complete a JD/MBA program after UCSD. Even though my parents want me to drop out, I refuse to do so. Are there any programs that can help people like me?</p>
<p>Have you talked to the college to see if it can help you?
Can you go part time while working fulltime or can you take a year off, save your money and then return to college?</p>
<p>Unfortunately, we get screwed. I completely get how you feel cuz my parents aren't gonna give me a dime (I know I'll qualify for some financial aid tho).</p>
<p>my brother had the same problem so he started playing online poker. his winnings have exceeded like 20 grand. he's nuts.</p>
<p>Have you looked into companies that help with tuition and/or loans if you are working for them part time? UPS for instance has such a program. I am sure there are others also. If nothing else you may need to consider part time school combined with a job to help you finish up. Good luck.</p>
<p>Talk to your school's financial aid office - perhaps there are private loans you may be eligible to take out without a cosigner. Also, with your gpa at a 3.5, are departmental scholarships an option at all? </p>
<p>Are there any other family members who can help in any way? Back to the issue of the Plus Loan, does the cosigner HAVE to be a parent, or, can it be any credit worthy adult? If the latter, is there anyone else at all who can co-sign?</p>
<p>I'm so sorry for your situation. It's ridiculous that a hard-working person has so much trouble getting their education, all because of money and apparently stupid parents.</p>
<p>I agree about talking to your school's finaid office. I'm sure they've seen this kind of thing before, and they really may have options you wouldn't find out about elsewhere.</p>
<p>Be cautious about taking time off to make money, those earnings & savings can affect future financial aid. Go in and ask some one higher up in your major department, some one who handles students in trouble, what options you might have. Do not talk to a student worker, do not talk to the front line worker, every major dept at UCs should have an adult...a real adult who has worked at the school for many years, who knows the system, who can help you find and understand any creative options open to you- what about being an RA to pay living expenses? What about a big work study with part time school so the earnings do not affect finaid?</p>
<p>Find the person who can cut through the bureaocracy so you make a decision will real facts as to what can actually be done.</p>
<p>I don't know anything to help, but I want to wish you good luck anyway.</p>