College Discussion - View Single Post - REFLECTION "I wish I would have known "this" when I started the process!"

bluevartouhi · 05-04-2005, 01:43 PM

I'm was in the same situation as you NOCCAMom; the amount of money my parents earn makes us seem really well off on paper, even though with the usual daily living costs not much is really left over. Filling out FAFSA really didn't do me a whole lot of good; I didn't qualify for any grants because we don't fall under the income ceiling, and my estimated family contribution was A LOT! The best way to save money on college is to attend a community college for a year or two, and then transfer to a 4 year institution. And there are always scholarships you can apply for; don't rule out scholarships just because you think that you don't have the grades. There are lots of scholarships given for various skills, talents, backgrounds, or a great essay.

Most student loans don't require payment until about 6 months after graduation. In California, if your EFC ends up being even a little bit less than the projected cost of college, then you will be offered a subsidized loan for the difference, where the interest is paid for you. The rest of the cost will be covered in unsubsidized loans, where interest is accrued. In almost all cases, payments don't have to be made until after graduation, though interest does accumulate.

05-04-2005, 01:43 PM	#25
bluevartouhi Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Threads: 8 Posts: 94	I'm was in the same situation as you NOCCAMom; the amount of money my parents earn makes us seem really well off on paper, even though with the usual daily living costs not much is really left over. Filling out FAFSA really didn't do me a whole lot of good; I didn't qualify for any grants because we don't fall under the income ceiling, and my estimated family contribution was A LOT! The best way to save money on college is to attend a community college for a year or two, and then transfer to a 4 year institution. And there are always scholarships you can apply for; don't rule out scholarships just because you think that you don't have the grades. There are lots of scholarships given for various skills, talents, backgrounds, or a great essay. Most student loans don't require payment until about 6 months after graduation. In California, if your EFC ends up being even a little bit less than the projected cost of college, then you will be offered a subsidized loan for the difference, where the interest is paid for you. The rest of the cost will be covered in unsubsidized loans, where interest is accrued. In almost all cases, payments don't have to be made until after graduation, though interest does accumulate. Last edited by bluevartouhi : 05-04-2005 at 01:55 PM.