Frantic for a student loan... What should I do?

[Inkstain82]

Originally Posted by zetta

I think it probably depends on the school and the professior.
As an engineer, I took differential equations at a CC during the summer, and all my other math classes at my top-25 university. My experience was that the CC class was definitely an order of magnitude easier in terms of amount and difficulty of homework and exams than the ones at my regular school.

I was glad to go to a CC and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it, but some of the classes were actually easier than the same subject being taught in my generic high school courses (Econ 101, I'm looking at you).

[arthurb999]

I got grants and loans from the federal govt with no co-signer… I went to the state univ i lived in though so it wasnt as expensive...

talk to your student loan dept at the school

[Seamaster]

So I manned up and walked down to financial office first thing this morning...

Less helpful than I would have liked... I was sort of hoping to sit down and explain my situation to someone and see what I could do from there, but I just stood in line until I could speak with a guy behind a counter.

Basically, he gave me a BU aid sheet and told me to start with FAFSA... Which of course requires my parents' tax returns, as well as some other sheet about separated parents! And after I fill that out I have to return all of this in a week I think, I was a bit rushed through it.

Sooo... I'm somewhat grateful there's a federal way I can get through this, but I just hope my parents' tax things are sorted out... Tomorrow being Veteran's Day, I don't have any classes, so I'll see if I can get it squared away then. I was a bit surprised though, I had thought the deadline for federal loans was ages ago.

If not, they said if I withdraw before the first day of second semester I get a full refund.

The best I can do is try, and I guess the worst that could happen is they say no... So I'll do my best and see what happens. I'll be having an awkward talk on the phone with my parents tonight...

On the topic of classes though -

Not having anything to compare it to, I don't know what merit it has, but all I can say is that I've never ever been so overwhelmed with work before in my life. Of course, compounded with my financial situation it just makes everything seem worse I suppose . But I'm taking 100 level classes in Chemistry, Biology (both of which have 3 hour weekly labs), Writing, and Japanese. With the exception of my Writing class being taught by a graduate student, and my labs being looked over by Teaching Fellows, all my classes are taught by professors.

I must have been feeling ambitious the day I registered for classes. I'm not sure what I was thinking, how I could handle this my first semester of college coming from a public high school. Should have seen this coming after my father told me I was an idiot for trying to take on so much at once.

I'm managing for right now, but I think I may just take something fun rather than that second writing class next semester...

Thanks again guys, had it not been for your advice I'd still be sitting here fretting about this while my mother put her house on the line. At least now I have something of a solution and a couple more options that what I had considered originally. Hopefully I'll get it all sorted out... I'll keep you guys posted.

[KatieNK]

Sorry they couldn't have been more help. My school had financial aid officers you could sit down with. Good luck with the Fafsa.

Also, everyone feels overwhelmed their first semester/year in college. I know I did! I think it is also common to take too many classes at first because you are so excited and ambitious feeling, I did that too. The workload and classes will get easier, I promise.

[arthurb999]

It's very last minute for you... that's the problem. I had aid lined up well in advance...

Personally I would get my undergrad from a cheaper college... then get your masters from the best school you can get into.

[geojen]

I got federal loans for school without my parent's tax documents or a co-signer. They just cannot claim you as a dependent on their tax returns. I would call the financial aid department to make an appointment to see someone (at my school they were called fin. aid officers). You should be able to see someone besides at a counter.

[Seamaster]

Trying to fill out this FAFSA thing now, but aside from it being complicated beyond belief I still only see that the deadline was back in July. I'm not sure that guy knew what he was talking about... How could I apply for a federal loan for this spring if the deadline's past already?

I'm filling out a Profile Application as well on the college board site, seems a bit more straight forward...

I've emailed the financial office asking if there's any way I could make an appointment to speak with someone, because I feel like I'm filling out outdated forms for nothing...

[Inkstain82]

Originally Posted by Seamaster

Trying to fill out this FAFSA thing now, but aside from it being complicated beyond belief I still only see that the deadline was back in July. I'm not sure that guy knew what he was talking about... How could I apply for a federal loan for this spring if the deadline's past already?

I'm filling out a Profile Application as well on the college board site, seems a bit more straight forward...

I've emailed the financial office asking if there's any way I could make an appointment to speak with someone, because I feel like I'm filling out outdated forms for nothing...

The FAFSA deadline in July is for guaranteed consideration. You can apply past the deadline, but there is no guarantee you will receive any moneys you qualify for.

[zetta]

This idea might be a bit extreme for you...my brother's ex-girlfriend wanted to be a doctor and had to take loans for all her schooling. She discovered that she could join ROTC as a sophomore and get lots of money for school in exchange for future military service. There are also programs where the military will pay for medical school as well, you just have to serve as a military doctor for some period of time.

Just be sure you are up for being in the military, though. After a year of ROTC she decided it wasn't for her, and she had some difficulties getting out. (Apparently in normal ROTC there are provisions for quitting the program after your freshman year and owing the money back to the program, and she had to appeal to the fact that her sophomore year was her first year in ROTC to be allowed to take the same out.)

[arthurb999]

The ROTC thing is a good idea!!