So, what am i supposed to do?

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: flot

Originally posted by: Acanthus
uhh yeah, it would be 4 summers of classes... I didnt claim missing one summer would cost me 3 semesters. Missing all of these summers and working instead would cost me 3 semesters.

You did not post that you had a dilemma involving 4 summers of working. You said you could not get loans for this summer semester.

Skip this summer. Get a job. FIX YOUR CREDIT. Save some money. Use that money towards next summer, and maybe you can get a loan by then too.

I made $19k one year as an undergrad. I am sure you can make $4k.

I posted that i cant get any private loans at all. I didnt post the specifics, you assumed them. How the hell does a college kid on min wage summer jobs "fix his credit"? Furthermore, i will not save money working in the summer for any future school, it will all be burned on rent.

Im looking for constructive advice, and if it was as simple as a summer job, i wouldnt make a damn thread asking for advice.

The only advice we're able to give you is to seek out federal and/or private loans. That's really your only option, and various companies have been listed already.

Also, if you're 24 and independent, did you fill out a FAFSA for this year (you might've mentioned this already, I'm not sure)? If so, they should've given you more than enough in loans to pay tuition and live off of for each semester.

As far as grad school, unless you're going for a Ph.D., don't plan on having much of the costs subsidized by the school. And if you are planning on earning a doctorate, nearly all programs, regardless of merit, pay for their students' tuition and offer a stipend. Unless it's a "professional" school, in which case the admissions criteria are usually made a bit more lax in exchange for very little financial aid being offered.



Also, just as a general statement, I'm still not seeing why so many people are blaming the parents here. As I've mentioned before, my mother has told me numerous times that she would never co-sign anything for me. It's not a matter of her not trusting me, as she's said she doesn't doubt I'd be able to pay everything back in a timely manner. It's a matter of principle; I'm an adult, and should be able to handle these types of situations on my own. I greatly appreciate that she chose to raise me in that way, and I plan on doing the same with my children, should I ever have any.

Edit: Ok, I see in a post you made while I was typing mine that you've already submitted the FAFSA. How much aid exactly did they offer you? And if you've already exhausted that, which is apparently the case, then yes, private loans are your only option. Look into the companies listed in this thread, as well as local banks.

Edit again: The wonders of the internet. So your total accepted was roughly $11k. Was that for the year, or the semester? As someone else mentioned, my limit as a grad student is roughly $18k/year I believe, so yours will probably come in at around half that.

 

[FoBoT]

http://65.216.150.143/fns/
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/applicant_recipients/fs_Res_Ben_Elig.htm

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
Also, I worked internships at fabs over the summers.

During my freshman year I sent out 80 cover letters and resumes. I got two interviews and one offer at what later became Lucent's fab in Orlando. I also did Intel and Motorola Semiconductor. Once you get one internship, it's easy to get another.

Pay came out to something like $16-$32 per hour depending on how much school you had done, housing was inexpensive, and I met/dated (some) hot engineering chicks through summer internships.

I went into grad school with more summer experience than anyone I know, and I left grad school better knowing what to expect working for the man... and knowing enough to not want to work for the man.

Im definately not far enough along for semiconductor work yet, the program im in is all physics for the 1st 3 years, then 2 years doing CompE.

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: Rumpltzer
Also, I worked internships at fabs over the summers.

During my freshman year I sent out 80 cover letters and resumes. I got two interviews and one offer at what later became Lucent's fab in Orlando. I also did Intel and Motorola Semiconductor. Once you get one internship, it's easy to get another.

Pay came out to something like $16-$32 per hour depending on how much school you had done, housing was inexpensive, and I met/dated (some) hot engineering chicks through summer internships.

I went into grad school with more summer experience than anyone I know, and I left grad school better knowing what to expect working for the man... and knowing enough to not want to work for the man.

This is what I'm talking about. I have interviewed a hundred college grads for full time jobs over the last year, and Rumpltzer would absolutely be at the top of the resume pile based on the above. (well except for the hot engineering chicks, unless he promised to bring some with him)

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Whisper

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: flot

Originally posted by: Acanthus
uhh yeah, it would be 4 summers of classes... I didnt claim missing one summer would cost me 3 semesters. Missing all of these summers and working instead would cost me 3 semesters.

You did not post that you had a dilemma involving 4 summers of working. You said you could not get loans for this summer semester.

Skip this summer. Get a job. FIX YOUR CREDIT. Save some money. Use that money towards next summer, and maybe you can get a loan by then too.

I made $19k one year as an undergrad. I am sure you can make $4k.

I posted that i cant get any private loans at all. I didnt post the specifics, you assumed them. How the hell does a college kid on min wage summer jobs "fix his credit"? Furthermore, i will not save money working in the summer for any future school, it will all be burned on rent.

Im looking for constructive advice, and if it was as simple as a summer job, i wouldnt make a damn thread asking for advice.

The only advice we're able to give you is to seek out federal and/or private loans. That's really your only option, and various companies have been listed already.

Also, if you're 24 and independent, did you fill out a FAFSA for this year (you might've mentioned this already, I'm not sure)? If so, they should've given you more than enough in loans to pay tuition and live off of for each semester.

As far as grad school, unless you're going for a Ph.D., don't plan on having much of the costs subsidized by the school. And if you are planning on earning a doctorate, nearly all programs, regardless of merit, pay for their students' tuition and offer a stipend. Unless it's a "professional" school, in which case the admissions criteria are usually made a bit more lax in exchange for very little financial aid being offered.



Also, just as a general statement, I'm still not seeing why so many people are blaming the parents here. As I've mentioned before, my mother has told me numerous times that she would never co-sign anything for me. It's not a matter of her not trusting me, as she's said she doesn't doubt I'd be able to pay everything back in a timely manner. It's a matter of principle; I'm an adult, and should be able to handle these types of situations on my own. I greatly appreciate that she chose to raise me in that way, and I plan on doing the same with my children, should I ever have any.

Edit: Ok, I see in a post you made while I was typing mine that you've already submitted the FAFSA. How much aid exactly did they offer you? And if you've already exhausted that, which is apparently the case, then yes, private loans are your only option. Look into the companies listed in this thread, as well as local banks.

I do plan on attending for a PhD or ScD in a semiconductor related field.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
http://65.216.150.143/fns/
http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/applicant_recipients/fs_Res_Ben_Elig.htm

Thats actually a tremendous help, thank you.

 

[FoBoT]

these guys are giving you too hard of time, it is your busyness how you live your life

 

[uberman]

Your parents sound smart for not co-signing a student loan. No one guarantees you a job after college. Student loans are insane in this country, nowhere in the world can you graduate from college in such debt. I met a guy the other day with $40,000.00 in student loans and he did not have a degree yet.

Did you plan for college? Did you get your AA degree at a community college and then transfer to a 4 year college? This plan is very economical, or did you go directly to a 4 year college for your general education requirements? You just have to be realistic as to what you can afford. You have your own apartment, that's pleasant. Have you looked for a rooming house with the bathroom down the hall. You have to do what you have to do.

I graduated from 5.5 years of college with one student loan for $2,200.00. I paid it off in six months. The schooling was made affordable by first picking up my AA at a community college. I then transferred to a 4 year college. I paid for this with grants, that single loan and money from my own pocket.

Look for grants perhaps, but be careful with loans. Trim the fiscal fat.

 

[bobsmith1492]

Scholarships?

Oh, and what are you studying? If it's communications or something, it's basically worthless, so they're probably right, especially if it's an expensive school...

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
these guys are giving you too hard of time, it is your busyness how you live your life

I could expect no less of ATOT.

I did get a lot of constructive help though, im going to seek out better private lenders, and figure out if i really have borrowed the maximum amount for the year, as it seems i have a smacktard in the finaid office giving me advice.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: bobsmith1492
Scholarships?

Oh, and what are you studying? If it's communications or something, it's basically worthless, so they're probably right, especially if it's an expensive school...

Its a cheap school, and its a double major. RTFT.

 

[FoBoT]

do you have any collateral? anything of value? you might be able to use it to help get a loan?

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
do you have any collateral? anything of value? you might be able to use it to help get a loan?

Absolutely nothing, im not kidding.

 

[Whisper]

Originally posted by: Acanthus

Originally posted by: FoBoT
these guys are giving you too hard of time, it is your busyness how you live your life

I could expect no less of ATOT.

I did get a lot of constructive help though, im going to seek out better private lenders, and figure out if i really have borrowed the maximum amount for the year, as it seems i have a smacktard in the finaid office giving me advice.

Sadly, a lot of times financial aid offices don't have the best information in regards to loans. But they're definitely the first place to start, which is why I recommended them earlier. You could also check the office of financial aid's website; I know my university has links for private lenders with whom they have special agreements.

I'm pretty sure you'll be able to find a private company willing to give you a check, especially if your girlfriend agrees to co-sign (although depending on her age, credit, and income, it might not be an option). As I mentioned, the interest rates on private loans tend to be upwards of 10%, but it's better than having to sell a kidney.

 

[pontifex]

you mean none of the uber rich atoters gave you the $3200? i mean, thats like pocket change to them.

 

[uberman]

You could will your body to a medical school which would get it after you die. They give you the money up front and I believe they have a tatoo put on your foot. After you graduate have the tatoo removed.

 

[AnimeKnight]

Does your school have ROTC program?

Maybe join the ROTC and have the military pay for your education?

 

[FoBoT]

too bad you can't sell shares of your future earnings
i wonder
if you sell 100 shares of 1% of your future earnings (so each share would be .01%), what would one share go for?

with those kind of degrees you should be pulling six figures by 2015 or sooner if you move to CA or someplace expensive

if you made $100,000 per year each share would get $10 per year, over 40 years career, then somehow figure out a good interest rate, comparable to the stock market, gee i don't know, $100 per share? or $50? 50 times 100 is $5000 , i guess that would be enough

then you gotta pay out $40,000+ over the next forty years to pay it back

maybe a loan would be better :Q

 

[Crimzon]

You keep repeating RTFT to insinuate people aren't comprehending what is going on.

How is this for some comprehension? If you are in such dire straits, make a bigger sacrifice. Drop the double major and concentrate on one. You don't need two for grad school. It'll save you TIME AND MONEY, which seem to be the two big things you keep complaining about.

Less courses, less books, less expenses, less time involved.

But if you're going to be so insistent on being stubborn, then good luck. You're making things much harder than they need to be. Focus in on the important things (getting ONE degree and moving on in life).

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: Crimzon
You keep repeating RTFT to insinuate people aren't comprehending what is going on.

How is this for some comprehension? If you are in such dire straits, make a bigger sacrifice. Drop the double major and concentrate on one. You don't need two for grad school. It'll save you TIME AND MONEY, which seem to be the two big things you keep complaining about.

Less courses, less books, less expenses, less time involved.

But if you're going to be so insistent on being stubborn, then good luck. You're making things much harder than they need to be. Focus in on the important things (getting ONE degree and moving on in life).

Chemistry and Physics are intergral to CompE, i know it's more work and more money, im just asking for advice on how to pay for it all.

Thanks for the advice so far guys, it really has been a big help. If i can do this without my parents id love to rub it in their faces later.

There does seem to be a huge cultural rift here, and i think the difference is people who have their parents just pay their way through college, then fvck around and flunk out or take a stupid major. That isnt me, i didnt decide to go to school until i knew exactly what i wanted, and my philosophy has always been play to win or dont come to the game. Im not asking my parents to pay my way, im asking them to cosign on a loan i would have to pay back. All the cosigning is, is protection for the lender, it says they have to pay it back if for some reason i retch on the loan.

And yeah i know RTFT is rude, but there are people that are asking the same questions that ive already answered at least 2-3x in this thread.

 

[EGGO]

It may not be much help, but I wish you good luck Acanthus.

 

[Flyback]

I don't have time to read the whole thread but here is my advice.

I went through something similar lately. First of all, good luck.

What I did:
- went on super strict budget
- planned out finances in advance
- paid down CC as much as I could (to avoid interest)
- took a job at the college ($14/hour)
- applied to every fricking scholarship and bursary i could (and was rewarded with $5,000 because I'm a 4.0 student, too)

First step for you is getting down to financial aid department to find out more info on what you can do and what sort of scholarships and bursaries exist. Go beyond your school, too. Many times the local city or state have their own giveaway money, or private businesses. Hell, even write some letters to businesses and ask for scholarships and otherwise. I didn't go that far, but you can always beg (and many will respond--they have money allocated for that often times and get tax rebates etc. not always, but try it out anyways).

Many little things you can do to make it work. Take a podunk job even if you don't want to. Downsize to a single major, perhaps, so you can maintain a 4.0 and get the money.

 

[flot]

Originally posted by: Acanthus
There does seem to be a huge cultural rift here, and i think the difference is people who have their parents just pay their way through college, then fvck around and flunk out or take a stupid major. That isnt me, i didnt decide to go to school until i knew exactly what i wanted, and my philosophy has always been play to win or dont come to the game. Im not asking my parents to pay my way, im asking them to cosign on a loan i would have to pay back. All the cosigning is, is protection for the lender, it says they have to pay it back if for some reason i retch on the loan.

What I don't understand is that you appear to be quite literally borrowing your way through school. If you have no job, and no support from your parents, you are using your student loan checks to pay for housing, tuition, etc, etc? And now you are hitting a wall because you are going to need to borrow more each year?

I think getting a job is the best advice anyone could give you... I'm not sure how you think you are going to repay your $60k of student loans when you get out, because having 3 degrees does not necessarily make you immediately employable, either.

Of course I don't know what you've been doing for the least 6 years either...?

 

[chambersc]

You can suck it up and do like the rest of us do. See my sig. I'm seeking double degrees (+1 me, -1 you) and I'm forced to work a PT job to pay the bills. Either get a job or don't. It's as clear as day. How much do you want it?

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: flot

Originally posted by: Acanthus
There does seem to be a huge cultural rift here, and i think the difference is people who have their parents just pay their way through college, then fvck around and flunk out or take a stupid major. That isnt me, i didnt decide to go to school until i knew exactly what i wanted, and my philosophy has always been play to win or dont come to the game. Im not asking my parents to pay my way, im asking them to cosign on a loan i would have to pay back. All the cosigning is, is protection for the lender, it says they have to pay it back if for some reason i retch on the loan.

What I don't understand is that you appear to be quite literally borrowing your way through school. If you have no job, and no support from your parents, you are using your student loan checks to pay for housing, tuition, etc, etc? And now you are hitting a wall because you are going to need to borrow more each year?

I think getting a job is the best advice anyone could give you... I'm not sure how you think you are going to repay your $60k of student loans when you get out, because having 3 degrees does not necessarily make you immediately employable, either.

Of course I don't know what you've been doing for the least 6 years either...?

I held down a full time job for 6 years and decided to go back to school. Again, after moving there are not jobs in the immediate area. We have 1 vehicle and she works. I have very little CC debt and besides low interest federal loans i havent had to take a private loan yet.