How Can Student Fund Education in the US?

[sly_wolf 199]

I am looking for advice on how a student can fund the rest of his college education in the US (resident state is NY).

The student is falling significantly short of next year's required college funding even after applying for all the government grants and loans. What is the experience of others and what options are available to him to get the necessary funding assuming that a loan co-sign is also not possible?

[~Johnny~ 27]

There's lot of federal aid out there for college. This is one site that goes over federal programs:

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

[sly_wolf 199]

There's lot of federal aid out there for college. This is one site that goes over federal programs:

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp

Yes, as far as I know he has already applied for all available government aid.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

After loans and grants, then it J.O.B.

[sly_wolf 199]

After loans and grants, then it J.O.B.

Meaning?

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

Unfortunately, education is extremely expensive in the Land of the Brave and Free and the primary reason why many adults have to work full time while in school. Most Undergrads have to wait years after their Bachelor's until they can go to Grad School. My suggestion is: work hard, save as much money as possible and, once it's enough, continue studying.

[LIFE'SJOURNEY 970]

Meaning Bob says it best, work and pay out of pocket for the rest.

[sly_wolf 199]

Meaning Bob says it best, work and pay out of pocket for the rest.

Thanks. Not easy being a student in the USA!

[sachinky 465]

Remember any job off-campus is a violation of his F-1 status.

He can only work 20 hours during the semester and 40 during breaks. This must be a campus job.

Edited April 22, 2010 by sachinky

[sly_wolf 199]

Remember any job off-campus is a violation of his F-1 status.

He can only work 20 hours during the semester and 40 during breaks. This must be a campus job.

The advice is for my stepson who is a US citizen.

[britbird 4]

Private loans are available. Your stepson should contact the financial aid department of the college he is going to attend.

Otherwise, take a job and study at the same time. I review admissions files on occasion for a top 25 law school - you'd be surprised how many kids worked pretty much full time during college, kept up a full time course credit load, and still made great grades. It's not easy at all but it's doable. Requires a lot of discipline and character.

Edited April 22, 2010 by britbird

[Darnell 8,479]

He is attached to you two ? a dependent on your tax return? Or a dependent on his other parents tax return?

The ONLY way to get him MORE money is to INCREASE his 'decreptitude' for monies,

and usually that happens when he's declared an independent student.

Look at the fafsa application, see what the requirements are for being declared an independent student.

The main thing to accomplish, is to change the fafsa 'score' so that he receives full amounts on grants, then full amounts on loans. This score changes dramatically when one becomes an independent student.

Good Luck ! If you need some face to face assistance with this, sit down with a financial aid officer at the college, go over the maths.

I do note you not use the word 'scholarship' in this topic.

Review 'fastweb.com' and the sourcebook for the Minnie Piper Stevens (Stephens?) Foundation. Apply for some SCHOLARSHIPS.

Edited April 22, 2010 by Darnell

[sly_wolf 199]

He is attached to you two ? a dependent on your tax return? Or a dependent on his other parents tax return?

The ONLY way to get him MORE money is to INCREASE his 'decreptitude' for monies,

and usually that happens when he's declared an independent student.

Look at the fafsa application, see what the requirements are for being declared an independent student.

The main thing to accomplish, is to change the fafsa 'score' so that he receives full amounts on grants, then full amounts on loans. This score changes dramatically when one becomes an independent student.

Good Luck ! If you need some face to face assistance with this, sit down with a financial aid officer at the college, go over the maths.

I do note you not use the word 'scholarship' in this topic.

Review 'fastweb.com' and the sourcebook for the Minnie Piper Stevens (Stephens?) Foundation. Apply for some SCHOLARSHIPS.

Yes, my setpson is unfortunately losing out now since my income has become part of the formula. He does live with us when he is not at collage so yes he is a dependent right now. Will see if any scholarships are available.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

eh, balance school and work to pay for it.

Most schools will also work with you on a payment plan for tuition if you cannot pay for it all up front. As long as you make scheduled payments, they'll continue to work with you.

[Brother Hesekiel 2,236]

If given the choice between a private student loan, which is absolutely non-dechargable until life as we know it comes to an end (not even by bankruptcy), and can have a rate that can go up into the sky at any time, thus making it a loan for life, and a bullet right into my head, I'd probably chose the latter one.