When you're dumped from the education system...crushed

[CapnHook]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 9:42pm

All of this happened within 3 days:

1) My mom called to say we got a bill from my college for $45,000+. Apparently, the FAFSA money didn't come through. We got a confirmation from the government that we filed for a FAFSA, but the College didn't receive anything from them. So at this time, I owe $45,000+.

2) My dad lost his job. He filed for unemployment.

3) My mom took on a second job.

I'm doing everything I can on my end to make every scrap of money possible. I also have a $4,000 credit card debt to pay off. I'll need to get a job when I get back to school that I can walk to, since I don't have a car nor driver's license.

How is it that I am not eligible for work study??? It's ridiculous. Meanwhile, my friend whose family earns a higher income AND owns a lake house for christ's sake IS eligible and gets $200/week. At this point, I have no clue if I am coming back to school or not. I'm calling Financial Aid tomorrow.

But who knows what good that will do. Before I left school this past semester, I wrote two formal letters to them requesting more money, or the opportunity to work for the college to decrease my tuition - doing recruiting, working in the cafeteria or mailroom - ANYTHING to get more money. My initial meeting seemed positive: "you don't have to drop out of school," I was assured. But after several e-mails and phone calls, I still did not receive feedback from them that was promised to me as to whether they could help me or not. I already told them I might have to quit school or transfer. I guess they have no interest in giving me money nor keeping my money that I've been giving them. They just don't want me. They don't care about me. I feel helpless, lost, and abandoned.

The government and education system have failed me. That is not acceptable. I am a ****ing good person. I'm the nicest guy you can know!! I just want to live. I'll eat ****ing peanut butter sandwiches for the rest of my life - I can live with that. But for Christ's sake - I need a degree!!

And everything was looking up until now...

[shira467]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 9:45pm

45,000? Ah, don't you LOVE private school education?

I'm really sorry for you frustrations, and I really hope you get back to school!

If the school is being unhelpful, I would suggest going to your bank and seeing if you can work something out.

[artscallion]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 10:01pm

I wouldn't take on a bank loan for that kind of money. I'd talk to the Financial Aid Office again first. They can usually do something with grants and awards to help you out, particularly if you printed out/saved copies of your FAFSA confirmation. You should still be able to get this proof online under your FAFSA account.

If you can't get anywhere with the Financial Aid Office, I'd consider dropping a year and filing with FAFSA to get you back on track for the next year. I know it would suck to be set back a year, but not as much as it would suck to be saddled with a $45,000 loan (plus interest) to pay back when you graduate.

I work at a college. I'll ask my buds in the Financial Aid office tomorrow if they have any suggestions.

[StageManager2]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 10:24pm

"The government and education system have failed me. That is not acceptable. I am a ****ing good person. I'm the nicest guy you can know!! I just want to live. I'll eat ****ing peanut butter sandwiches for the rest of my life - I can live with that. But for Christ's sake - I need a degree!!"

Were you channeling Susan Hayward (à la Barbara Graham) when you wrote that?

[~FloweryFriend~]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 10:57pm

I send you love.

*love*

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:01pm

You don't want to be in Generation Debt, in over your head before you graduate and living in terror for the rest of your life of unemployment or underemployment.

I hope the FAFSA thing gets straightened out, but if it doesn't the only alternative can not be that you don't get a degree somewhere.

Transfer. Get into the best state school you can. Move to France. Pay off the credit card debt ASAP. It's a drag, but you can do it.

[kelzama]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:01pm

Dramatic much?

You feel entitled to a $45K per year education? Get a grip. You weren't dumped by the educational system. You can't afford the college of your choice, and you've been bitten by bureaucracy. Government management at it's finest. Higher education is not a right, it's a privilege, and one that many people much brighter than you, much nicer than you, and much more deserving than you couldn't afford, either.

How many scholarships have you applied for? Thousands upon thousands of dollars in scholarships go unused every year because no one bothered to apply for them.

Worst case senario, you go to a (far) cheaper college or state university, maybe parttime, and work your way through, although it may take more than 4 years. Gives a whole new meaning to earning your degree.

Updated On: 7/16/07 at 11:01 PM

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:02pm

Oh no! I hope it all works out.

[rgaywrites]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:16pm

I wouldn't panic just yet. Academic year 07/08 hasn't started. Before freaking out, you need to call the Financial Aid office and ask to speak to a supervisor. Don't waste your time with the first level of defense, so to speak. Calmly explain the situation. They should be able to process your federal aid with plenty of time. You might also want to update your FAFSA application, which you can do online, due to the change in income that your family is experiencing due to the loss of your father's job. Students apply for aid throughout the year. The sky is not falling in mid-July. If that fails, private education loans are a decent option. The interest is variable and higher than the interest on federal loans, but the repayment schedules are similar. There are other differences that you can read about, by doing a quick search.

I am curious though, how you got a bill for $45,000. Tuition is billed by the semester and if you're going to a school that costs $90,000 a year, I'm frightened.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:24pm

"Higher education is not a right,"

No, it's a right. But in this country it's a right for the economically privleged.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:43pm

Higher education is not a right, it's a privilege, and one that many people much brighter than you, much nicer than you, and much more deserving than you couldn't afford, either.

Yeah, you're not bitter and jealous in the least bit.

kelzama, did you miss the part where he said "all happened in three days"? Any scholarships he could use this semester probably had due dates last January. When the government says "You're entitled to $45,000 in financial aide and we're telling your school to give it to you", yes, he IS entitled to it and he shouldn't have to drop out of college because of some paperwork snafu beyond his control.

[Yawper]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:43pm

Don't transfer yet. Try to get your financial aid worked out. Apply early for your aid next time so you can get everything squared away before school starts. If nothing comes through to clear up the current situation and help you with the next semester take a year off and work, go to school part time, or pick up transferable credits at a community college while living with your parents (and saving up money). There's no need to rush through school and, at many schools, only the last two years or so have to be taken there in order to get a degree from there. Just make absolutely sure any credits you take somewhere else transfer.

As an undergrad I got through on savings and a little financial aid. I lived with my parents during the summer and worked the highest paying job I could find, no matter how grungy, and banked virtually every penny. I was on the three year plan in grad school because I ran out of money to go full time after the first year. At school I got the cheapest decent housing available - in the student co-op system - room and board $300 -$400/month with a housewide phone system, one tv with cable in the tv room, and 28 housemates. It was pretty fun, actually. No car, personal cable tv, or cellphone. No personal computer - used the computing center. Transportation was free univ. bus, pedal power, or carpool. I finally got a car my last year of grad school when my parents bought a new one and gave me the old (11 years old by then).

It's all a matter of priorities and how bad you want it.

[little_sally]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:46pm

It truly is ridiculous who gets financial aid and who doesn't. As someone who once found herself in a similar situation (yet not as dire), I feel your pain.

[DG]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:49pm

"one that many people much brighter than you, much nicer than you, and much more deserving than you couldn't afford, either."

On the off chance that Kelzama doesn't know the Capt., I'd say someone needs to apply their razor sharp intuition to themselves, not anonymous board acquaintences.

[misschung]

Posted: 7/15/07 at 11:54pm

"Yeah, you're not bitter and jealous in the least bit."

lol! seriously.

I wouldn't panic yet - it's only July. If FAFSA promised you this money, and you have confirmation of that - they can't just NOT send it to you. They may have just not processed it yet, but if you speak with financial aid and explain your situation, I'm sure they will be able to help you.

The worst case scenario solution that I can think of is that you'd have to take a semester off and wait until your aid goes through for the spring. However, I think that's highly unlikely and that you will be able to fix this. I know that the graduate program I am in now rarely receives or processes my financial aid until weeks into the semester. It sucks, but it happens.

How is it that I am not eligible for work study??? It's ridiculous. Meanwhile, my friend whose family earns a higher income AND owns a lake house for christ's sake IS eligible and gets $200/week. At this point, I have no clue if I am coming back to school or not.

Yes, that's the way of the world, isnt it?

[paradox_error]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:00am

"Higher education is not a right,"

So much for the greatest country in the world, right? Who would have thought with all that money, you guys wouldn't be able to afford to educate the next generation...

Good luck, Capn. I hope everything works out in the end!!!

[Yawper]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:11am

The problem is that corporations want cheap labor - that often means hiring someone other than an American.

I know a lot of unemployed engineers and auto designers who are seething over the claim that there aren't enough qualified technical Americans and that's why foreigners are being recruited. The reality is that the foreigners expect less and work for less, because they didn't have to pay for school and can go home like millionaires in their countries after a few years work in the States.

When I was in engineering grad school, on more than one occasion, there would be only three Westerners (we two Americans and our French friend) enrolled in a class of 30-40 students. The majority of the others were Asians (mostly Chinese) with schooling paid for by their government.

[Julian2]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:11am

God I hate the educational system. Prayin' for you Cap'n.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:26am

My school offers emergency student loans directly through the school for cases exactly like this. They get paid back automatically when your federal aid comes in and I don't believe there is any interest involved. If your FAFSA was approved for this amount, talk to your school's financial aid office. They likely have a program in place for these incidents, and if it is just a paperwork snafu it can be worked out even after the semester begins.

I'm sorry your parents are having a hard time.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:31am

Student loans may be a sucky thought, but it's not a huge burden in the big scheme of things--and it's practically status quo for most folks. Do what you gotta do to finish school.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 12:32am

Oh no; I'm really sorry you're in such a crappy situation. Don't give up, though. I hope it works out for you.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 1:51am

I hope it works out for you! I had to take a couple of years off in order to work to get some money to help pay for school. I went to community college first and then to a pricey private college in the Finger Lakes area. I worked two jobs in addition to being in school full time and it took me years to pay back my loans, but it was all worth it. Best of luck to you and don't let the unsupportive people get you down.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 8:32am

omg! bww should totally hold a fundraiser for you! if they don't it's just one more example of the fact that they really don't care.

if that fails, contact your local news and see if you can get them to do an expose on the gov't program. i bet that bush read some off your bww posts and personally put the kibosh on your application.

there's always armed robbery.

[Chita1933]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 8:42am

I have no doubt you are a nice guy capn'. The only thing is that when I hear someone say "I am the nicest person you can know," I think "...shouldn't that be for the "you" to decide?"

Just the same, keep your chin up and good luck.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 7/16/07 at 8:52am

capnhook is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being i've ever known in my life.