What about NJ Tag? Do you qualify for that? I would think so with $0 EFC.
So what is the budget? $5,800 Pell, TAG, $5,500 loan. Is Dad court ordered to pay for half tuition?
What does the net price calculator say for Montclair state?
https://www.hesaa.org/tagestimator/current/studentstatus.asp
Here is a NJ Tag estimator
@mommdc Net price is 7497. My TAG estimator was 4100, but it said EFC was 3700, so tag may be higher. Yes, my dad is.
@twoinanddone My mom probably has been over 90 days late on something in the past three years, but not a mortgage (we don’t have one). I think she’s good for the other things.
@thumper1 Okay, thanks. I already did apply, but I didn’t know that CUA required the CSS profile. I’m really more interested in Temple or Montclair, so money shouldn’t be a huge problem. Yes, I do have a job.
What is included in the net price? Grants, loans, work study? How much of the $7497 would your dad cover?
“you owe a debt of $104 for every dollar you borrow”
@aroundhere I know that this is not what you meant, but just so that the OP doesn’t get confused with the wording…A parent with a $4000 PLUS loan does NOT owe $416,000.
They take the origination fee out of the loan proceeds. With a 4% fee, if you borrow $100 you will receive $96 but will owe the full $100.
Agghh lost a decimal there! Yes, you owe 1.04 for every dollar you borrow on a PLUS loan.
I’d go with Parent PLUS for a little amount if you really have to, but won’t Pell + Federal loans + TAG + father’s contribution + your savings cover Montclair?
@AroundHere Its okay! I got scared for a second, haha.
@MYOS1634 I don’t have any savings, really. I just started my job, so I’ve saved about $200 so far. The Montclair NPC was after TAG & Pell Grant, so I might need a little from Parent PLUS.
Temple is my top choice, and I don’t think it’ll be too expensive, especially since many students live off-campus in their last years. It really depends on if I’m admitted!
@newjerseygirl98 “Temple is my top choice, and I don’t think it’ll be too expensive, especially since many students live off-campus in their last years. It really depends on if I’m admitted!”
It sounds as if you think living off campus is free. You should get on Craigslist or Reddit and find out how much students are paying for the type of place you’d like to live. If my son lives off campus in DC his rent would be twice the cost of a dorm room. You said Temple is $16759. You need to plug the amount you intend to borrow into a student loan calculator and figure out what your payments will be. A BS in Social Work does not pay well and there may be some time after graduation before you find a career position. You might be waitressing and you will still be expected to pay your student loans. If you fall into arrears you might be disqualified from government jobs. And the various governments are the best employers for social workers.
@OspreyCV22 Of course I don’t think it’s free…I would rent a room somewhere, not off-campus student apartments. That would probably cost MORE than living on campus. I’m going to get a masters, a bachelors in social work would give me few, if any options.
Keep in mind that you cannot use TAG for out of state college, e.g. Temple.
@intparent Sorry to re-start this thread. I just found out that our CC graduation rate is 3%! The 15% is those who graduate in three years. I’m definitely not considering it now.
Is it the only CC choice within commuting distance?
OP is living in a New Jersey neighborhood that (understand) isn’t conducive to studying and, I’m guessing, is gritty and unsafe for its denizens. For instance, open would not be able to study in the library on campus, then go home at 8pm, because you’re not out on your own in the streets after sundown, event that means you’re in at 5pm in the Winter. Seeking to escape that neighborhood makes sense, especially considering most of the classes are remedial and students simply don’t transfer to any 4-year college. We’re not in a situation where cc+ flagship is in the cards. If op attends such a cc, research shows she’ll be among the casualties. As a lower income, less prepared student whose parents have not attended college, she’s better off attending a 4year college and living there in order to boost her odds of graduating. The problem is cost - in NJ, even cc 's are expensive, and instate tuition also is.
However, op needs to so her part and retake that sat or act test asap (after preparing) since it May well be counted for state scholarship eligibility if and only if, it’s taken before graduation.
It’s the only one in my county. The out-of-county ones charge fees, and honestly I think they’re worse. Hudson County CC is one of the worst in the country! @intparent
Thank you for understanding!! I thought it was too late to re-take the SATs. I think I would do better on the new test. @MYOS1634
I just looked it up. In 2010, 22% graduated in 3 years or transferred, either being considered a successful outcome. Not 3%. Have you looked at the rates and fees for the out of county ones? I would at least look.
Hudson County CC isn’t mine, that’s an out-of-county one. An awful school, but a higher graduation rate than mine.
The other local CCs are in REALLY bad areas, where English is barely spoken.
Like @MYOS1634 said, I really don’t want to stay in this area. It’s honestly so un-motivating, I just think I’d do better at Montclair. @intparent
Ask Montclair if you can have a Perkins loan and/or if they can review your FA award due to these circumstances (medical bill? mother’s hours have been cut?..) <- anything you didn’t include in your FA application but which you could have legitimately included.
She was unemployed for some of last year. The Montclair price was my NPC, I’m not sure of the true price yet @MYOS1634