I don’t think living off campus would be much better. Philly’s prices are high in the good parts and the worst/cheap parts(around Temple) are shoddy, high crime rate, and have lots of boarded up houses. Camden is just plain terrible so that’s out too.
I’d recommend you dorm if you go to Temple. Better areas if you were to commute would be Glassboro, Cherry Hill, Burlington, and Willingboro NJ.
Also, newjerseygirl, please find out tonight or tomorrow first thing, whether you can still increase your state scholarship if you increase your SAT score, and if so, register for it. Many state scholarships will consider the last test taken before graduation, even if it’s the May test. And if you prepare, you should score higher, right?
I definitely won’t live in Camden, it’s the most dangerous city in the US! Cherry Hill is quite expensive, too. I would rather dorm, if I’m able. @ASJackson923
Yes! I will ask my guidance counselor after class. Do you know how high my scores will need to be? I doubt I can improve my score 600 points in two months. @MYOS1634
I talked to my guidance counselor, and said he doesn’t know about it… @MYOS1634
Oy :s … Can you during your lunch break call Montclair’s office of financial aid and ask them whether you might increase your financial aid package if you retake the SAT before graduation and increase your scores? And if so, would an increase from about 780 to about 1000 be considered sufficient to justify such an increase? (Explain Montclair is your first choice but your current financial aid package makes it impossible to attend, so you’re trying to do your part to make things possible).
Phone:
973-655-4461
Fax:
973-655-7712
Email:
financialaid@mail.montclair.edu
I checked for various things on your behalf:
Thank you so much! Wait, I have an 850 CR+M. So should I still aim for 1000, or higher? Also, should I wait until I receive my FA letter? @MYOS1634
Sorry I had somehow registered 360+ 420 :(. But, yes, 850-> 1000 is a doable goal to have. (1000 means “college ready” and “average”, whereas 850 means the opposite. You sound smart and mature, there are no reason why you can’t get a 1000 if you practice beforehand. The prep videos on Khan Academy are excellent and should help you.)
Call them ASAP. (Isn’t your FA package on your portal already?)
Did you apply Temple Option to Temple? Because honors scholarships will be based on your essays for that.
Thank you! I think I’m smart, just an awful test taker.
No, my financial aid package isn’t up yet! I think it’s because TAG takes up to two weeks to process.
Yes, I used the Temple Option. My essays are actually quite good. @MYOS1634
Anyway to answer your OP, you don’t need to take a private lender’s loan! You can just take the NJ Opportunity Loan that I linked earlier this afternoon! 
How’s the search for financial aid going?
I applied for my NJ Grants. I just finished the CSS profile, & my dad is doing his part soon. I’ll receive my CUA financial aid letter next week. I actually got a scholarship of $16,000 a year at La Salle, too! @MYOS1634
Congratulations!
But remember, no matter how great it feels to receive a scholarship, what matters isn’t the amount of the scholarship, but the amount left to pay!