Last Minute Changes... I think I'm $#@%'d

Paying for College
1

<p>Quick rundown on my situation as follows</p>

<p>My ambition is to become involved in the field of global health. MSF, Red Cross/Crescent, international non-profits, emergency aid and whatnot.</p>

<p>3.9 GPA Honor student, Key Club president, academic team captain, etc etc in high school</p>

<p>after 4 years at UCSC studying Psych and completing every req I have NO HOPE for my future…</p>

<p>shaky 3.2 GPA shattered by horrible grades this fall, first time ever below 3.0 and first grades below C</p>

<p>not even able to apply to the MSW/MFT/MPH programs that I have been yearning for, but ready to graduate on paper. My academic advisers smell blood and are trying to push me out the door. </p>

<p>As I see it, I have two options.</p>

<p>PLAN A
Complete my degree and bolster my GPA with ******** classes that are not part of my educational focus. get back over the 3.0 hurdle and save my prayers for a weak Masters Degree program. Not sure if any of these will even give me a solid network.</p>

<p>PLAN B
Drop out and focus on a 2 year vocational degree. Become more employable and live closer to home. Want to focus on nursing/paramedic school, but willing to try other fields as well. Start my own 501c org and go all or nothing. </p>

<p>THE CAVEAT
I receive financial aid (Cal Grant, Pell Grant, UCSC Grant, Stafford sub) that covers my tuition. I end up neither saving nor spending much in the end, and it has led me to live a (perhaps too) comfortable life. </p>

<p>I want to continue receiving this aid. But at UCSC it will only last two more quarters.</p>

<p>Plus, I plan on relocating to UK in the near future. All state universities are free there, given that you are a legal resident for 4 years. Might be the golden ticket to starting this process from scratch (which I wouldn’t mind, love the classroom). </p>

<p>THE PUNCHLINE
Can I have my cake and eat it too? When does the money stop? What should I avoid that would make it stop flowing? Can the Governator intervene and save my education?</p>

<p>If I drop out now, can I still get state funds to get a vocational degree? Will this extend to my future education? Will I keep receiving state funds for my Bachelors if I try a 4 year school again? Not much hope, but what programs can I get an MPH without losing 60k?</p>

<p>Or just give up before this degree becomes unwillingly bestowed upon me and never see another classroom again? Except for in the UK perhaps? Who’s still with me?</p>

2

<p>Really, you are about to throw away years of hard work just because you get a few low grades? And what does this mean?: " My academic advisers smell blood and are trying to push me out the door. "
I think you have senioritis and are afraid of having to finish school. Happens to lots of people. Lower your high standards a bit and apply to some grad programs you qualify for, or, better yet, graduate, get a job in the field (you won’t make tons of money, but your career choice isn’t really about money, right?) and then get your grad degree after you have really been in the field and know better what you want to focus on. Believe it or not, in the real world, grades don’t matter at all. No one will care where you went to school, or what your GPA was. They will care that you know what you are talking about, you keep your committments, you can work as part of a team and take on leadership if needed, and that you have a strong work ethic and realize you still have a lot to learn. Those are the things that matter in a job. With some work experience, you may even find an employer who is willing to pay for your grad school education (even if it means part time). Every one hits bumps in the road. Your boss may get ticked at you, or not like something you do and call you on it. Are you going to quit your job just because you have a bad day? Learn from your lower grades, focus on graduating, and move on to adulthood. You will encounter many, many ups and downs in life. They aren’t the end of the world. And yes, life throws curve balls that mean sometimes having to change plans. Again, that’s life. Welcome to it.</p>

3

<p>

It depends. Both federal & state grants have a time limit

Not likely.</p>

4

<p>Calgrant is limited to 4 years or receipt of first bachelors, whichever is less (except for programs that require 5 years).</p>

<p>Pell grant is limited to 6 years or attainment of first Bachelors. Loans are also limited.</p>

<p>

No, they are not. They used to be, but that has changed over the last few years. Do you have British (or some other EU) citizenship. You can’t just relocate to the UK. Like the USA, there are issues such as visas and work permits.</p>

5

<p>Finish your degree! </p>

<p>You can work and volunteer for a year or two…then apply for grad programs. MSW programs do not require sky-high GPAs. But they want a person who demonstrates emotional maturity, resilience, and commitment. Real-world experience (paid or unpaid) in public service or advocacy is a huge plus. </p>

<p>A few low grades will not close doors, but up and quitting at the finish line certainly will. </p>

<p>Don’t quit.</p>

6

<p>If you do not finish your degree you have lost the economic opportunity cost. Even if you didnt lay out a lot of cash for your degree , the value upon its completion is still b/w $80 k to $ 160k , plus the additional value of money you could have been earning of contributing to society. An unfinished degree program would reflect badly with future employers.</p>

7

<p>I was unaware the UK changed its laws on that. My father and his side of the family is British. It would not be difficult for them to get me citizenship, so they say. </p>

<p>And I am sure that what you are all right that grades are meaningless in the long run. After I get this bachelor’s degree, it looks like I could still use my last two years of Pell Grant to get an AA in some other health related field.</p>

8

<p>You had best read up on the Pell. It is my understanding that once you complete your bachelor degree, you will lose your eligibility.</p>

<p>You will however be able to borrow unsubsidized federal loans for certain types of studies. Check the specifics on that too.</p>

9

<p>^^happy mom is correct, once you have your bachelor’s degree, you are no longer eligible for the Pell grant.</p>