Student loans? FAFSA? Etc.

[Capone]

I decided the other day that I need to go back and finish school. I've only ever went to a community college and I always just went at the last minute, a couple weeks before school started and set everything up.

I'm going to be transferring to a 4 years school but on their site it says that I needed to have applied by June 1st. (They do say that they are a little flexible on that) But it says that I needed to have my FAFSA taken care of by Jan 1st - March 31st? So am I basically screwed until Fall semester NEXT year?

I don't even really know what FAFSA is, other than that is how you go about getting financial aid, student loans etc.

 

[Capitalizt]

Just apply and see what happens.

I get no help from my parents, pay $600/mo in rent, and made $18k last year. I didn't qualify for any financial aid at all when I applied last month...so if you are better off then me, don't waste your time.

 

[Capone]

Originally posted by: Capitalizt
Just apply and see what happens.

I get no help from my parents, pay $600/mo in rent, and made $18k last year. I didn't qualify for any financial aid at all when I applied last month...so if you are better off then me, don't waste your time.

How do I go about getting loans then? I made like $16k and have been living with my mom. I'm already assuming that I'm not getting any "free money" govt help. But I thought you had to go through that to get student loans.

Also I don't want to live on campus, but I'd like to get enough that I could rent an apartment. Would I be able to do that? Or thats not how it works?

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Capitalizt
Just apply and see what happens.

I get no help from my parents, pay $600/mo in rent, and made $18k last year. I didn't qualify for any financial aid at all when I applied last month...so if you are better off then me, don't waste your time.

Doesn't matter if your parents help or not...they look at their income until you either get married or are 24 (I think 24, someone said it's 26 now).

 

[Capone]

So do I go to like lendingtree and try to find a loan? Do I get them on a semester basis? Yearly basis?

Also, my mom's got fairly bad credit, so where does that leave me? She did, however, co sign on my truck.

 

[Capone]

Also I finished a couple classes short of my associates degree at community college. Is that going to present any problems transferring?

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Capone
Also I finished a couple classes short of my associates degree at community college. Is that going to present any problems transferring?

That is something you will need to find out from the school you are going to.

OP apply, and see what happens from the FAFSA. You should be able to at least get some loans through it, and if not whats it hurt? Last year I applied in July and got aid, but you get more the sooner you apply.

 

[Bignate603]

Go apply for the fafsa. They may not give you free money, but you might get some government loans. Government loans are better than private ones (lower interest, and sometimes the interest while you're in school doesn't count).

 

[meister]

its not too late...however money is getting tighter so you might be last in line.

Mark