How do I pay for college?

[Capone]

Here's my backstory. I'm 22, I practically have an associates degree in computer science, but I want to change my major. I've been attending community college on and off for the past few years. My GPA isn't that great becauseI usually end up slacking off in a class or two every semester. I was going to transfer to a local university to finish my degree, but now I'm questioning that decision. I'm not going to college this semester because my mom was paying for me to go and she hasn't had the money to pay off last semester, and I lost my job. I definately want to go back to school though.

How hard would it be for me to go away to college? I have no idea where to start. I was a slacker in High School, but I had decent grades, just never payed much attention to all the college talk or talked about it with the guidance counselors. I never took the SAT's. I'm a really smart guy though, just never applied myself. I really don't want to stay around here and finish school, I need to force myself to get out of my comfort zone and get some experience on my own.

So where do I start? Is it possible for me to get student loans to pay for everything? Am I too old to get scholarships anymore? I can't get financial aid anymore at the college I was going to, so I'm guessing I can't get it anywhere. How do student loans work? Do I have to pay them back after every semester or can I let them pile up until I get a decent job to pay them off?

 

[neonerd]

don't think you're too old to get a scholarship (not sure if there are age limits), but you can probably get a lot of scholarships...go to the local library and find out from them, they usually have a big list of different scholarships... as for student loan, you can probably get one too

 

[poopygood]

www.fafsa.com

 

[bradruth]

How do I pay for college?

With "money."


Apparantly salt isn't a valid currency these days...damn educational bureaucracy.

 

[Zim Hosein]

http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: poopygood
www.fafsa.com

Copyright © 2004 Student Financial Aid Services, LLC | Privacy Notice | Terms of Use
This site is not affiliated with the United States Department of Education or any state agency, college or university.

 

[esun]

I'd worry less about paying for college and more about changing your attitude toward education in general. Your ways of slacking aren't going to get you very far.

 

[PaveHawk]

Just quit. College is much too tough and expensive for somebody that doesn't have their shiat wired tight. Head down to McDonald's and fill out that form that lines the food tray. Quit wasting your mama's time and money.


Or ... get serious about what may amount to be one of the most important times in your life.

 

[Capone]

Originally posted by: esun
I'd worry less about paying for college and more about changing your attitude toward education in general. Your ways of slacking aren't going to get you very far.

Actually that's why I made this thread. Something just kinda clicked and I realized that I need a serious change. That's also why I want to go away to college, because staying around here, living at home, is a big part of my problem. I have no doubt that if I was on my own going to college, things would be drastically different.

 

[Capone]

Originally posted by: PaveHawk
Just quit. College is much too tough and expensive for somebody that doesn't have their shiat wired tight. Head down to McDonald's and fill out that form that lines the food tray. Quit wasting your mama's time and money.


Or ... get serious about what may amount to be one of the most important times in your life.

I'm trying to dude, not going back to school this semester has made me think about my future, I don't want to work in a McDonalds or a grocery store for the rest of my life. I'm ready to change.

 

[PaveHawk]

At least at home, you have a place to stay, and eat, which may allow you to concentrate on studying. Otherwise, you will have to earn enough scholarships and grants to pay for an apartment OR work a job to earn the money for living expenses. Perhaps, you can check into student loans.

It can be done, as millions of people have made their trek through college working during the day and classes in the evening.

 

[ChrisCramer247]

Drugs [/thread]


heh. But in reality I <3 fafsa grants. fafsa.gov i belive is the address

 

[Chaotic42]

I was in your situation. I thought I was ready to go back, so I'd just ask people or Anandtech about it.

I knew when I really was ready when I actually went to the school and talked to them about it.

 

[PunDogg]

Originally posted by: esun
I'd worry less about paying for college and more about changing your attitude toward education in general. Your ways of slacking aren't going to get you very far.

true, u will end up spending tons and tons of money and still end up with a bad QPA

Dogg

 

[klah]

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/fsa/index.html

 

[desteffy]

Move to CA and work for a while till you are a resident, then its free =)

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Get financial aid and student loans. Find a job at the same time too

 

[imthebadguy]

get rich parents

 

[gotsmack]

work for the school. you'll get tuition waiver or atleast a steep discount. You can be a janitor or something.

or you can join the navy.

 

[Mo0o]

Renew your FAFSA, if you are no longer getting money from your parents, schools will give you lots of money, especially if you get accepted into a private school. I know at Duke, if you get accepted, they WILL make it work.

 

[faenix]

Give this guy some credit, he's realized what he's done wrong in the past and he's trying to fix it.

Hope everything works out.

 

[CanOWorms]

Take SAT and/or ACT.
Apply to schools. Schools have different application deadlines. Some schoold have a January deadline, some have rolling admission.

For most student loans, you pay them back 6 or 9 months (can't remember) after you graduate. If you go on for a graduate degree, those loans will be deferred, too.