I currently attend community college in Virginia and I have been homeless since June, I don’t have access to good stable WiFi but I signed up for classes at my community college that start in October in hopes that my living situation would be fixed then. I don’t know if I should just drop those classes and work full time. It’s really hard with the pandemic all public WiFi spaces are closed. I really would love to just attend a four year college already, so I am wondering what colleges in Virginia should I apply to that would give me good financial aid that could possibly cover dorming? I have done three semesters at cc so far and have a 3.5 gpa. I would like to major in marketing/journalism/communications fields. Please any advice would be great. I would also like to study abroad if it’s possible as well.
How old are you?
I just turned 20
@MYOS1634 , do you have any advice for this student?
How close are you to finishing your AA or AS degree?
What guidance has the Transfer Advisor at your CC given you about completing your program and transferring to a 4-year institution?
Talk with the counseling team at your CC and find outwhat help they can give you with the housing, job, and WiFi situations. The CC where I teach in Maryland has active support systems in place, and does what it can to help students get what they need to live and to finish their studies. It is possible that your CC does this too.
Your classes would start in October. You can wait to drop the classes for another week or two. That gives you one month to see if you can pin down a decent job and a place to live. Yes, it might make best sense for you to take a semester or more off while you sort through the other challenges in your life. College will still be there when you are past this challenging time.
I think secure housing has to come first. Are your parents both out of work? If you can find a full time job, I’d take it. You may have to take classes part-time until your family gets back on its feet.
Full time work and then secure housing nearby should take priority. Both would likely be a time-consuming quest. :s
See if your CC has any advice, addresses, perhaps an office dedicated to housing/food insecure students.
However, there’s a CC in VA, Richard Bland, that offers housing. See if they’re remote for the Fall or what the process is to secure housing there? (It’s likely a bit late but you never know). They have agreements with many 4-year public universities in VA.
Does documented homelessness qualify a student for a pell grant? If so, that plus a loan might be enough to rent a room in a house using airbnb/Craigslist.