Search for Affordable Schools

samuelrclemens
Tue, 04 Dec 2018 08:14:19 +0000

The dilemma with FAFSA is that they won’t consider you independent until you’re 24 years old. This means that they’ll base your financial aid on your parents income, not yours. This means that you’ll get less funding. If you’re able to wait until the year of your 24th birthday, FASFA will base your eligibility on your earnings. This means that you’re likely to receive a lot more funding for your education. If I were you, I’d follow the path that I took.

When I graduated from high school, I spent a year working full-time and I saved thousands of dollars. Afterwards I attended a community college for four years, then transferring to the University of California Davis. Since I was 23 years old, FASFA based my financial aid on my meager earnings of $28,000/annually. I received enough loans and grants that I had everything funded. I continued to work part-time, but that’s not necessary if you manage your finances well-enough. I graduated in three years, and I’m currently earning my Master of Arts from Drake University. I didn’t have the support of my parents, but I still achieved the impossible. If you pursue this option, you should remember that this applies to in-state institutions. It’s almost impossible to afford an out-of-state education unless you gain residency in that state, pursue an education in an online format, or resort to private loans, which is another discussion entirely.

Anyways, best of luck!