Work FT/PT Study FT/PT; Work-Study; Work Prior To Enrollment ?!

Paying for College
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<p>I should probably take this matter up with the college advisors at the financial aid office, but I'd like to see if I can get some insight on here regarding this particular subject first.</p>

<p>I'm currently a CA Resident. I'm 18 years old with an EFC of 0 (absolutely no contribution whatsoever). I plan on attending a CC for 2 years then transfer to a Cal State or a UC.</p>

<p>I've looked at several financial aid calculators for both Cal States & UC's. According to the estimates and with the deductions of grants I would be awarded (excluding loans), the remaining I would have to pay would be around $5-9.5K per year for 2 years.</p>

<p>I've made the calculations that I would have to work full time for about 2 years (putting aside 75% of my earnings) to ensure that all college costs would be covered at the institution. </p>

<p>My question is what is the best way of going about work/study. </p>

<p>Should I attend the CC PT while working FT, understanding that not being enrolled FT will affect my financial aid? & Possibly jeopardize my GPA/Athletics/Community Involvement in order to work FT.</p>

<p>Or</p>

<p>Should I work FT for 2 years and then enroll in the CC and dedicate my full undivided attention to my academics/athletics/extracurricular activities? & Possibly deal with the increase costs of college and take the risk of it affecting my eligibility for financial aid. </p>

<p>Or </p>

<p>Should I work PT for 4 years while attending college FT?! That could also affect my studies and financial aid though....</p>

<p>I am so desperately in need of some advice ! LOL </p>

<p>My objective is to pay all college costs out of pocket for the obvious reasons of avoiding loans and the compounding interest. I want to be able to graduate without an immense amount of debt, none if possible. So if anyone can help me out with this, it would be greatly appreciated!</p>

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<p>What are these athletics and community involvements? and what is your proposed major?</p>

3

<p>avoiding loans and the compounding interest</p>

<p>Well, accept (some of) the sub loans then. They don’t accumulate interest while in school.</p>

<p>I think you should go to school full time, work as much as you can over the summer (even two jobs if necessary), work about 8-12 hours a week during the school year (shouldn’t hurt your studies), and graduate with little/no debt.</p>

<p>Working full time over the summer could mean earning/saving about $5k.</p>

<p>Unless you’re not organized, working 8-12 hours per week during the school year is not going to hurt your studies. </p>

<p>Taking the sub loans isn’t a bad idea.</p>

4

<p>I am also interested in athletics and community involvements. What are they exactly?</p>

<p>Community colleges have Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societies with their own scholarship opportunities. 0 EFC usually helps. </p>

<p><a href=“International College Honor Society | Phi Theta Kappa”>International College Honor Society | Phi Theta Kappa;