<p>so I've had a troubled history with college, its not that my grades are bad by any means and I was going to an excellent in-state school but the long story short is that I suffer from depression so last semester I withdrew from my classes, hopefully I can re-enroll which after talking to a counselor most probably looks like I can but the problem that I have is that my parents will no longer support me. The good news is that I am now 23 and for the 2010-2011 year I will be 24 so even though it looks like I will have to put their income down on FAFSA it does not look like they will put it into my EFC. The problem that I have is that my college is about 8000 ish dollars a year, even with stafford loans for juniors which is about 7500$ from what I have read and since my income is low, with luck, I may receive pell grants but even that I still don't think will be able to cover all of my costs. It seems like it is near impossible to find a private loan without a cosigner (which my parents said that they will not cosign) so I am wondering how will I be able to pay for college? Any Ideas?</p>
<p>The Stafford limit for an independent student is higher than for a dependent, $12,500 for a junior.</p>
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If you will turn 24 during 2010 then you should not have to put any parent information on the 2010-2011 FAFSA. </p>
<p>If you are returning this spring then that is still part of the 2009-2010 school year and will use the 2009-2010 FAFSA in which you are still a dependent (with the lower Stafford limits) and parent info is still required.</p>
<p>I am in the EXACT same situation…extremely frustrated at the moment…I think I can get my credit score up with in the next few months but it wont be loan ready for about 6mos I think…I have been researching scholarships etc…but I’ve been working the past few years and have not had much time for extra curriculars…The system honestly does not seem to make sense to me. I received a pell grant, then had it taken away because I made a mistake on wages on my FAFSA which in turn bumped me into the next tax bracket…ahhh I feel like I can win…its taking me forever to finish school working so much, I don’t mind working I have been since age 14 and I’m 26, but am waiting for that scholarship that benefits students who work! Sorry to vent I’m just ready to be done!</p>
<p>well its good to know that I can get 12500 but the problem that I have is that i don’t know if even that will be enough. I’m working right now but almost no company wants to hire full time nor do i think that I can work full time and go to school full time because i’m doing engineering which was very tough even working part time. The problem is that I have a car and live in the DC/metro area so the cost of living is high and yes, I do need a car because I live in Maryland. If I could pull out another loan to pay for my car insurance, food,rent, and health insurance while I’m in school then I would be okay. but If I have to work full time then i can’t go to school full time and I don’t think that stafford loans work if you only go part time, is that right?</p>
<p>Yep, I live in san francisco and go to art school, so I understand your troubles. I get 12500, with a potential of up to $2800 in a pell grant. So far all we can do is look for grants and scholarships and a private loan. You can use Sallie Mae, which is a loan with out a cosigner but have to pay interest payments while in school. My friend took out $20,000, and has payments of $180 just to give you an idea. How is your credit? I have found that you need to have a “Good” credit score to get your own loan…meaning a score 690. Until I get mine up a bit I am just going to have to work…Im researching other options too because I can’t get a cosigner…will keep u informed</p>