Small scholarships to help pay living expenses

Paying for College
1

Just some quick info on myself before I go on…

I am an incoming junior and Political Science major at SDSU, on pace to finish undergrad school in 3 years. I am currently spending my summer interning, and already have experience interning for the state government.

Financially, I am in a decent position. The majority of my first year was covered through a scholarship I earned through my previous job. The remaining total was covered through federal loans. A renewal of those loans through the next two years will cover my tuition payments. I figure my part time job will support books, supplies, personal expenses, transport, etc.

Because I will be living at home my final year, I am attempting to bridge the funding gap for the upcoming school year. I was originally planning on taking a private loan for cover living expenses (I know, blasphemous), but I’ve decided to make this a last resort. The saying is true that San Diego is an expensive city to live in, but as of late, rent has been skyrocketing due to a strong housing market and a serious lack of units and homes available. The market is cutthroat at the moment.

Assuming my roommate and I are able to find a house to live in, I don’t currently have the ability to make monthly rent without a private loan. In searching for alternatives, I haven’t been able to find a scholarship that I would be able to apply for and use towards personal expenses.

Does anyone know of any scholarships for my major or state that aren’t tied to tuition or books? Finding scholarships that I am eligible for has been difficult enough. I’m really not looking for the massive $20k scholarship, just little ones that I can piece together to offset as much expenses as possible. Any suggestions would help, and I’d probably be willing to apply even if I don’t meet a race, sex, major, or need requirement.

Yes, my parents are in good financial standing, but my goal from the start of high school has been to pay my way.

TL, DR: Any scholarships that can be used for living expenses, i.e. paying rent.

2

Some scholarships can be used for living expenses. Your issue is…it is June 1, and it is quite late to be applying for scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year.

3

I agree that it’s late to start looking for private scholarships - that’s going to make it difficult.

What about borrowing from your parents? I don’t mean “hey, gimme some money and maybe I’ll pay you back someday.” I mean a written, signed loan agreement with clear repayment terms.

4

If you can live with your parents for your last college year…and you really want to save money…maybe you could consider living with them for the upcoming academic year also.

5

You don’t mention a Calgrant, didn’t you qualify for it?

Did you live at home your first year? And you are living at home your last year? Why not this year?

From what I understand scholarships for upperclassmen are hard to find, unless they are small departmental scholarships, and then they probably don’t apply to living costs.

Is your internship unpaid?

6

Right, I guess maybe it would be better to search for scholarships that could be used for paying down existing student loan debts.

I lived in on campus housing for my first year, and yes I will be at home for the final. It is a bit of a drive though, and I would like the independence and responsibility of living in my own home. But yes, the big question is if it is worth it to add 5-10k onto student loans. That I haven’t answered yet.

I don’t apply for most aid due to my financial situation, but again, my goal is that I pay my way. My parents did actually make the initial payments in my first year, and the scholarship reimbursed them afterward. I know I could set up a loan payment with my parents, but it couldn’t be for the entire year’s worth of living expenses.

No, the internship is not paid, but that wasn’t really a factor for me. I hope the contacts and relationships I make will help with future employment opportunities.

Thanks everyone for the input!

7

Contact financial aid and see if SDSU has anything left. You may qualify for a SDSU grant.

8

I don’t think SDSU has much/any grants other than state/fed grants (cal grants, Pell, SEOG) and it sounds like you don’t qualify.


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SDSU, on pace to finish undergrad school in 3 years

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Why 3 years? Did you spend 2 years at a CC?

Why not live at home now and commute if you were going to do that later anyway?

9

No CC besides a 3 unit course I am currently taking. I entered with 27 units as a freshman from HS, and will begin with 61 in the fall.