<p>I am trying to help my daughter’s friend - she is first generation and no one will help her.
She was accepted late (long story) to her school - a large state U. it was close to the housing deadline of May 1 and when she called she said she needed a few extra days to cough up the money. Money was received May 5th.<br>
Now 3 weeks prior to school she calls and they tell her there is no housing for her and nothing can be done. </p>
<p>This girl has had no one to help her. She hasn’t lived with her mom since 6th grade and her uncle was legal guardian. He never went to college and has his own kids etc. She is now living with me as she has no where else to go.</p>
<p>I am furious that this school led her to believe she would have housing and never told her there would not be housing. I feel like calling the President of the University.</p>
<p>If you really are willing to help, call the director of housing. The fact that it’s a large state U can lead to things falling through the cracks. However, most college administrators truly care about the students at their school, no matter how many kids they have to take care of. Begin by being understanding of the huge job he/she has in administering housing to so many … move on to the fact that this girl has had a difficult life/first generation/etc. & really does not know what to do … then ask for his help in figuring out what to do for her. You are wonderful for wanting to help, and I think that you definitely should contact the school.</p>
<p>I agree with above posters – call the director of housing. Large state U’s have numerous drop outs within the first couple of weeks (occasionally before classes start!) and this girl needs to be on the house wait list AT MINIMUM. You might casually mention that the university accepted the housing deposit in May, but I wouldn’t make a big deal out of it. As you said yourself, things do “fall through the cracks” in large institutions. Good luck, and thank you for your willingness to help.</p>
<p>Agree. When S went to his “Katrina” school, obviously there was no housing for these kids. Different schools did different things - housing them in common rooms etc.</p>
<p>But in his case, there was a single room that was set aside for when a kid was sick or something and they opened it up for him “just because.” I think he was in the right place at the right time and was nice about asking, because not all the Katrina kids snagged housing at this school.</p>
<p>So call and ask what can be done to put her at the top of any kind of wait list.</p>
<p>And another thank you from me for helping this kid. Sometimes we parent more than our own… it takes a village.</p>
<p>I don’t understand - she paid the housing money a few days late on May 5 but just now is finding out she has no spot? The college didn’t tell her? What’d they do with the money?</p>
<p>Give the school a call if you can and explain that you’re acting on her behalf. They may or may not be willing to talk to you about since they can be particular in this area with privacy laws. Maybe you could conference call with her leading the call but it’ll be awkward.</p>
<p>If you don’t get anywhere, maybe you can help her to find out what other housing options there are. Most large state U’s have areas just off-campus where a lot of students live. These U’s also usually have lists of people looking for roommates. Maybe she can get a place this way and work on getting in a dorm next semester or next year.</p>
<p>Thanks guys - I was close to freaking out. Okay, I freaked out.
I called housing as soon as I got home from work - asked to speak with the Director (hehe) - he is on vacation. Okay - the Asst Dir. will do - finally the voice on the other end said please ma’am tell me what we can help you with.
So - I told. Got his name and he was very nice. There is confusion in the office. The kids did have until May 12 and she will get housing somewhere.</p>
<p>He even looked up her name and found her. Today they were assigning housing to kids who paid May 2nd. Her group is next.</p>
<p>I really try to get my kids to do the calling and stuff. She has been good about it but why could I get a straight answer and not her? Because I am adult?
Anyway - I was nice - years of customer service has left me with an ability to schmooze on the outside and seethe on the inside - lol.
After it shows on the bill we will see if she will have enough to cover it.</p>
<p>I don’t mind helping at all - it’s easy because she is so appreciative. Ahem - unlike my own flesh and blood most of the time- ;)</p>
<p>Just to let you know, this is not atypical. My son had no housing until the 11th hour. He was not late with his app. Housing is NOT guaranteed at his school. The housing director was confident that he would get housing, but I worried like crazy. There were freshmen who did not get housing. There is plenty of off campus housing, however, some just as close or even closer than campus housing around the school, and much of it nicer and cheaper. The problem is that there isn’t the resident director/counselor on site in such situations, but as it turned out much of the housing was high rise apartment style and not conducive to nurturing anyways. He was on South Campus with most of his classes on North Campus. This is not unusual with many large schools.</p>
<p>Update - So here we are 8/14 and still no housing.<br>
I called again - less than 10 females need to cancel housing and she gets a dorm on campus. If that doesn’t happen then on Monday or Tuesday they will assign her to a dorm in a satellite campus outside the city.</p>
<p>The housing situation should be resolved soon. However, since they have not assigned housing - it is not yet reflected on the bill. She is also still waiting for the wonder folks at PHEAA to finish processing her state grant as they kept asking for more information - the last was they wanted to know why and how long she hasn’t lived with her Mom and where her Birth certificate Dad was - :eek:</p>
<p>I hope accounting and financial aid can work with her on short notice - full steam ahead though! Move in is in two weeks.<br>
Thanks again for all your support.</p>
<p>I’m going to do a commercial here, hope no one minds! :)</p>
<p>I work for a government program called Student Support Services. This program runs on hundreds (maybe thousands) of campuses across the country, though not nearly all. They have different names on different campuses, but they are all SSS programs, part of the TRIO family of federal programs.</p>
<p>They are mandated to help first generation and/or low income students. My job often entails doing (for pay :)), just what the OP is doing: helping students with little support and less knowledge of how college works to negotiate the college process at every level–housing, academics, finances, personal issues, etc. It’s a great job–I get to be the “college mom” for scores of students.</p>
<p>It’s also great for the students. Expecting them to sort through these issues on their own is unrealistic. Often their parents can’t help (lacking the information, maybe non-English speaking, possibly working a ton of hours, often all of the above.) Many also come from precarious family backgrounds like the OP’s D’s friend.</p>
<p>I strongly urge those who are in this position, or know someone who is, to investigate if this program is on their campus, and apply for it. I believe it makes a big difference for whether many of our students stick it out and graduate.</p>
<p>i had problems with housing last year, and my mom called and spoke to the housing director. You just have to call them, talk to them, and figure something out with their help because if you’re not vocal about it, nothing is gonna happen.</p>
<p>What is the policy for freshamn housing at the university? Most universities guarantee housing for incoming freshman, so they may be obligated to find housing for her. Many schools are tripling up dorm rooms due to over enrollment. Could tripling be an option to ask about?</p>
<p>I, also, have found that when I call the university my son attends vs. when he calls it’s a whole different ballgame. They jump through hoops for the parents and generally handle the kids in a more relaxed fashion.</p>
<p>They have guaranteed housing - they will probably be putting her in temporary housing 30-40 minutes outside the city at a satellite campus. She will be bussed in on a shuttle. A triple would be wonderful.<br>
For those who feel stuck in a triple - it could be worse.</p>
<p>You are so right about an adult calling - she doesn’t have a parent who can/will call - that is why I called. I was surprised at how helpful they were to me. Completely different tone. It is frustrating. They should be helping the kids and not confusing them.</p>
<p>garland - thank you so much, you are awesome.</p>
<p>Moving day is tomorrow. Her mom is actually helping her move. She is in a satellite dorm for a semester and will have to ride a bus - essentially commute. Not ideal but she is not homeless.</p>
<p>In another note - she just got another letter from PHEAA about her state grant. Since her mother gave up custody and made her aunt her guardian - she now qualifies as an independent student.
I am hoping the financial aid department will override the federal rules and rule her independent as well.</p>