Just Saw I-485 Timeline, Freaking Out. Strategies for College Loans?

[TJLAKA 1]

Hi All,

 

My fiancee and I are in the process of finishing up the K1 process, with the hope that she will be able to come to the States this coming year. 

 

I have a steady (decently-paying) job, but a bit in the way of credit card debt. My fiancee is very smart, but hasn't yet finished college, and I was hoping that she might be able to attend a local university after getting her permanent residency, with the assumption that she might get it in 8-14 months. Now, however, I'm seeing that it could take her anywhere from 12-20.5mos to get her AOS, and I'm just feeling extraordinarily daunted by everything that lies ahead, particularly given that from what I've read, a person waiting on their AOS can apply to get a work authorization, but there is no such similar authorization for public college loans. I kind of feel like my financial runway just got significantly more complicated. 

 

Does anyone have any experience with this, or any strategies to get student loans while waiting on the AOS? My plan was to have her continue with her credits at a community college before finishing up at a 4 year. 

 

Thanks. 

[Ontarkie 14,227]

~~Moved to Moving Here and Your New Life, from K1 P&P- The OP is asking about college while AOS is in process~~