<p>Ever since touring Barnard last winter, I’ve absolutely fallen in love with the school. I love the opportunities, the internship possibilities and the glimpses I saw at student life. I hope to apply ED in the Fall!</p>
<p>However, there is one element of BC that is somewhat troubling: the tuition.</p>
<p>I will apply for financial aid; I have a single mother and a twin sister entering college at the same time that I am (she’s looking at Kenyon/Grinnell). My parents are separated, and my father, who is already paying for his two other children’s debt, is not paying a cent for my tuition by any means. As a result, to defray these high costs, I think I should do the work-study program.</p>
<p>I’ve searched and scoured the web for more info about Barnard work-study, but I haven’t found enough information. If I get in, I plan to be REALLY involved. I would love to work as a Barnard Bartender and make some of my own money, but also participate in theater productions, clubs, and explore NYC a little bit, too, and, at some point, participate in an internship.</p>
<p>But the question is: will work-study occupy so much of my time that I won’t be able to take advantage of all of these wonderful opportunities? I would love to play an active role on campus, but I’m aware that, if financial aid doesn’t “chalk up” to what my family and I hope it to be, then work-study is going to be a major consideration.</p>
<p>Hopefully someone here can help me with this?</p>
<p>It depends on the type of work study job you get. But you should be aware that Barnard will consider your father’s income in calculating financial aid. Work-study is part of every package - it is not really a choice if you are getting financial aid. (I mean, you can choose not to work, but you won’t get increased grant money to make up for that). </p>
<p>NYC is an expensive place to live. My daughter had work study jobs, was signed up with both the bartending and babysitting agencies, and had a variety of other part-time jobs while she was in school. She also worked extra hours during the school year to help finance summer internships. </p>
<p>I’d suggest that you keep an open mind and cast a wide net – and worry about your schedule after you have seen the financial aid awards from colleges which have accepted you. You need to talk to your mom about what she really can afford, keeping your sister’s needs in mind as well.</p>
<p>I agree with everything Calmom said…my D had work-study jobs and she also did some private tutoring to earn money. Pay attention as well to what she said about Barnard considering your father’s income. Calmom has experience with this issue. It’s not “fair” to you, but that is the way it is. Whether he refuses to contribute to your education or not, they will take his income into consideration. The good news, though, is that Barnard DOES consider the fact that you have another sibling in college, so that will help some. I don’t know what sort of “debt” he is helping to pay off for his other two kids, but maybe it will also be considered?? </p>
<p>The best advice is what Calmom said above: apply to a broad range of schools so that you can compare financial aid packages once you have acceptances in hand. Go into this with your eyes wide open, understanding what your mom can and cannot do to help you out financially. </p>
<p>From my experience: Barnard will probably take into consideration student loan debt that the father is paying off, at least if it is a PLUS loan (don’t know about private loans). Consumer or personal debt, no. And that is something that will have to be brought to Barnard’s attention – it might require a written statement from the father, as well as appropriate records documenting the payments. The loan payments would be subtracted from the father’s overall income. </p>
<p>The Barnard financial aid people told me that one way to ballpark the financial aid was to run my own FAFSA, and then run a separate FAFSA based as if my ex-husband was the sole custodial parent – and then add the two parent contributions together. So, if my EFC was, say, $5000, and the dad’s EFC came to $4000, that would be a $9000 EFC.</p>
<p>In case you didn’t hear calmom’s message clearly- you probably shouldn’t apply ED. You might need to see what your financial aid package is to be able to make a decision.</p>
<p>Barnard does limit you to a certain number of hours a week (I believe it is 15) for jobs on campus although that does not apply to Barnard Babysitting or bartender jobs. My D has had two different campus jobs and also babysits. She landed a regular babysitting gig- 3 of 4 Saturdays a month- and they pay her very well. She often makes $70 for about 3 hours of babysitting. She makes more than minimum wage at her campus jobs. </p>
<p>She has done other things to help combat the cost of living in NYC. She is taking advantage of her free amazon prime membership and orders a lot of her hygiene supplies through there- shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, etc. With free shipping, it is cheaper and easier to do that than to have me send it or for her to purchase it in NYC. </p>
<p>There is a cool lottery through Columbia for free tickets to various shows. She went to one show with a class and they had a very reduced rate. She went to one that was full price and got discounted tickets somehow to a fourth show. That was all just this past year. The museums are free. The subway is pretty cheap. She puts $20 on her metro card about once a month from what I can tell looking at her bank statements. While things can be pricey, there are also lots of FREE things to do. </p>
<p>I was “lucky” the past couple years because my ex-husband was unemployed so his minimal income didn’t increase our EFC. He’s been working fairly steadily this year so that will be different next year but my son will be starting college in 2014 also so we’ll see how that all pans out. He doesn’t believe in helping kids pay for college so he won’t contribute anything anyway. I’m hoping he’ll pay for some of the flights to come home this year though.</p>
<p>You should also make sure to consult the Financial Aid Office. While they are limited in the amount of money they can provide, they are eager to make sure that you have the best possible information, and would excellent advisers to answer the questions you are asking.</p>