tonysdg

I've been paying close attention to everything everyone has been saying, and I talked it over with my parents last night. This is the basic game plan we came up with, and I'd like your opinions on it if you could (thank you so much for all of the advice thus far):

I'm going to stay at my current school for one more year. In order to do that, I'm going to use almost all of my savings to avoid student loans for one more year. The basic premise is that at this point, transferring will be very difficult, so I can avoid taking out any more loans (other than the federal ones) and begin saving for next year as well with a job or two on campus, a job this summer, and so on. Also, we figure that spending the money now or later is going to inevitably be a wash - I'll end up paying just as much then as I will now, and I stand a chance to lower my EFC slightly if I wipe out my savings. It's a risky move, but I managed to put myself in a pretty crappy situation in the first place...so nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Here's what I'm wondering: while I'm looking at other schools, I'm still going to keep asking around my school. The financial aid office already said they aren't offering anything else, and they don't offer merit-based aid beyond a $10,000 scholarship I already have ($20,000 is the max, but they are far more limited, and though I was lucky enough to apply I didn't get it...old news now). But what about the academic departments? Would it be a bad idea to go to my adviser (or one of my mentors, the profs I've become close to) and explain my situation and ask politely if they know anywhere else I can look (i.e., obscure funding, scholarships outside of school, etc.)? Or should I skip this altogether and assume I'll be leaving after this year?

Thank you again for all of your help - I have two siblings (both younger) who will definitely be benefiting from all of this information as they start searching for colleges (especially given that one of them currently has the same counselor...we won't make the same mistakes twice). So again, thank you very much!

lerkin

It certainly does not hurt to ask in Physics and Comp Sci departments about scholarships. I know where I went to school some departments had small scholarships available.

The professors might even know of off-campus part time jobs that pay decently. In my last year at undergraduate school, my adviser recommended me for a part time job that paid quite a lot. If you do get that kind of job, it might put a nice dent in your tuition bill next year (but might increase your EFC).

I feel bad that you were put in this situation, so I really hope you will find a solution.

tonysdg

Paulo Coehlo is my inspiration right now...he's the author of The Alchemist, where he said something along these lines: "When you want something with all your heart, the whole universe conspires to help you achieve your Personal Legend [your goals]." I'm not naive enough to think that the universe - or anyone - owes me a damn thing (thanking Randy Pausch for that lesson haha), but I know I'll somehow muddle through...always have, always will. Thanks for the support

cptofthehouse

Tony, I would take out the student loans and use them and keep the money you have. Maybe pay your parents for room and board over the summer so they can put it in an account for you under their names so it doesn't get the 20% hit that student assets get from FAFSA and PROFILE. I don't like loans, but the thing is, you are only entitled to the Staffords in your name. Anything else requires a qualified co signer. If you transfer to another school, you will be subject to the Stafford maximums and your cache will be gone. In order to keep the interest as low as possible , apply for that Stafford in the spring of your second semester, and just take the money if you have paid for the term already. You then have some wiggle room and are not flat broke at the start of your third year.

Yes, departmental awards are possible. Start looking this year. Look into being a residential advisor too. But you had better look at what your school's policies are in terms of scholarships over the Family EFC. You might end up with such awards, reducing the aid you already have and still be at the exact same spot as you are now. It's frustrating that the system has made it so it's so difficult to get ahead, but that is the way it works.

My son did get a departmental award for his last two years of college. It was unusual for a sophomore to have won it, however, and he did not know until right at the end of his sophomore year, and he had to resubmit for another grant the subsequent year. It was not something renewable, not guaranteed, and not awarded till the last minute. It was for $5K. He also had to change his major to be eligible for the award. So you need to cast a broad net, looking for these things. The competition was fierce even at his small school for the grant, From what he told me, most of the departmental awards and grants are in the hundreds of dollars, not thousands, and the work in applying for them was about the same as it was for the one he got. It does not come easy at all. Also, he worked as a "tutor" and help at the college counseling center for those who needed academic support in his disciplines and that job paid well. It was not work study.

Where you are lacking is in earning money for school. You do need to find some jobs to pay for college. Your parents also probably have to tighten the belt and put aside something for college, especially with two more to go this way. At their income levels, they are expected to pay for their children's college. THey are the front line. And you and your siblings, given your family's financial situations need to be proactive in finding WORK to earn some money for college. You should have had a job flipping burgers, making shakes, serving coffee, bussing tables, working the cafeteria line, something at college, given that your family was borrowing more than they wanted. It is expected by most all colleges that the student pay more each year towards the cost of education, so the demand on you is only going to go up.

Absolutely stay in close contact with financial aid and those in your department and let them know that the college is too expensive for your family, and you need some financial help. Make sure they know your needs and your face. If something does come up, you want to be first in line for consideration.

I'm sorry that it's so difficult. I hurt for my kids too. I wish I could just tell them to go where ever to school with no regard to cost and that they could have the summers off and have all the time they want to study and socialize during college, like so many of their peers can. They have to work. Two of them want to do something at the end of the summer that requires a cache of money. Great opportunity at a bargain price, but it still costs a lot to travel. So they are working crazy hours two get enough. Plus one got a bit behind in his plans when he changed his major and had some issues with a course. SO he quit his school job since the hours did not work out and he is taking a summer course here. Those decisions have cost a lot of money. I wish I could just pay it for him.

BobWallace

One thing I remembered that may be of interest:

Rose-Hulman Scholarships

cptofthehouse

Rose Hulman is also a very good school. Perhaps there are other such awards for transfer students.