HELP - I'm freaking out about finances!!!

Many banks have supplemental student loans. If I understand correctly, they will loan you the difference between what your need is and what your federal loans give you. I would call your bank and ask. The interest rate won't be as good as the federal loans, but usually will be a lot better then Sallie Mae. Good luck!

If you have really good credit you can get loans but if you dont your pretty much SOL even with average credit it is hard. How much is the short fall after the grants/federal aid

If you have good credit then you should just be able to go to your bank (CU's have better rates) and apply for a personal loan. It is not an educational loan or student loan, it is a line of credit and you can use the money for anything. Keybank gave us enough to foot the rest of the DSN tuition.

Do you have a detailed budget that covers the duration of the program and a few months after while you look for work?

If not, make one NOW.

In Spanish the word for "to hope" is the same as the word for "to wait" as in waiting expectantly for that which you know is going to come to pass. In English, the word "to hope" is synonymous with "to wish" as in, "I don't really know but maybe it'll miraculously take care of itself."

Don't fall into the latter category. Make sure that you're clear about what you need and that you have a budget that you can follow to get you to your goal.

As to how you come up with the cash, I haven't any good suggestions. In my own case, I took out a second mortgage on my house (and I'm hoping/wishing that I find a job before I run out of cash and join the foreclosed-upon ranks).