I guess I'll go straight to the point. Here's the deal: I'm from Las Vegas and I go to UNLV as a nursing major. I decided to stay as an in-state student because it was cheaper for my family. My millenium scholarship and pell grants have, so far, covered at least all my tuition fees and classes for the first two years of my college (pre-nursing). This is why I decided to not even bother applying to other states as a transfer student since I thought that my tuition fees and classes were at least covered. The good news: I got into the nursing program with A's and B's (I know, not very impressive) and we start on Sept. 7. The bad news: I just realized that my scholarship and grants are not enough to cover my tuition fees and classes (it's fallen short by a couple of hundred bucks) and my parents don't have enough money to pay for all other requirements, which should be completed by August 24th (if it's not complete by then you're dropped from the program). I feel like it's not fair if I'm dropped from the program just because I don't have enough money. What I'm hoping for: other states, universities, or whatever is out there who's willing to take me in as a student (for free in exchange for working for their company when I graduate, or at least have my tuition fees and classes waived, or whatever kind of financial aid they can offer that is more than what I'm receiving right now, I know this is a lot to ask) and I promise to work my hardest, meet/exceed their standards, and forever be grateful. My student background: unfortunately, I'm just a regular student. I don't think my SAT's are impressive (I have a total of 1600, I'm sure other kids have higher), I'm an A and B student and GPA 3.64 (I think) and I've never taken the ACT test. I wasn't involved in any extra curricular activities (because again of the out-of-pocket expenses) but I did at least 100 hours of community service at the local library and elementary school. Though I get A's on my essays most of the time, I personally don't think they're that impressive (I've read way more impressive essays on the internet). I'm shy but I'm willing to go out of my comfort zone and even away from my family if it means getting a better education for less. Btw, I'm an immigrant and my family makes less than $50,000/year. (I don't know if this info can increase my chances, most of the really good scholarships I saw were geared towards U.S. citizens which is understandable since the U.S. is supposed to cater to it's citizens first before everyone else.)
You should really take the student loans offered by the federal government and should have been part of your financial aid package when you filled out your FAFSA form. The loans are low interest and you don't start paying them back until 6 months after you graduate (or fall below 1/2 time). Also the interest on most is deferred so you are not accruing during the time you are in school. You generally have 10 years to pay back.
Student loans are the only way I can get thru my Accelerated BSN program. I can't get grants anymore because this is a 2nd degree for me. Between the federal loans and my 401k money is how I'm paying.
Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
going to intervene now.
please do not go off-topic and make this about illegals. the op didn't bring this up and no one said this.......... and we are not going to get into a discussion about it.
As others have said, take out loans! Yes no one likes debt, but are you REALLY gonna let yourself get dropped because you can't come up with $4,000? Reality is many students use loans, not very many have scholarships that cover the entire tuition plus insurance, books, supplies. I'm sorry to say this but you seem like you think you are entitled to go to school for free. This is coming from another immigrant! I am lucky enough that my parents, who are in the same boat as your parents, has covered my tuition, but if I was in your shoes, I would not think twice to take out loans to fulfill my dreams.
I'm not feeling that way I'm just saying that there may still be a way besides taking out loans. And for you as well as those who have not read ALL my posts please read. I SAID I WANT TO GET LOANS I dont mind the responsibility and all as long it takes the financial pressure away from my parents, but they don't want me to take out loans just yet. Good for you then that your parents can manage to help you out. My parents cannot manage at all if that's what you really want to know. Anyway, thanks for everyone's advice as well as criticism. :)
apply for loans NOW before its two late to get them it takes some time and you need them in two weeks. your parents will have to understand if it comes to that or being kicked out im sure they would rather want you to grad.
Do your parents know that without the loan you cannot attend school?
My son gets a student loan even though he lives under me as a dependent but the loan is in his name. They go by your parent's financial information if you are still a dependent, but the loan is not in their name. My son's loan is in his name so he will be ultimately responsible once he graduates, not me.
If you are financially independent and fill out the forms using only your financial information, then you parents have no say.
You don't have to Hispanic...if you have any other time of racial background in you (African American, American-Indian, Asian, etc...) they have minority scholarships for all of those, so you can look into that. Otherwise I would just take out some student loans.
Yeah I'm going for the BSN. Honestly, I'm seriously thinking of taking out a loan since I'd be the one paying for it anyway once I graduate and not my parents so the pressure is on me. It's just that my parents won't let me and tells me to keep looking for scholarship/grants or whatever is out there, since my aunt was able to go to school for free (she even finished her masters in nursing), but that was years ago..
Call the school financial aids office. They will help you figure it out while they put together supplemental aids. (I would not think twice about taking a student loan.)
Usually the schools can and will defer payment while the loan is being processed. Check out the Dept of Ed for their deferred loan program. See Federal Direct Loans
You ultimately need to make your own decision. Your parents may not quite understand the situation, mine were pretty anti student loan too. Student loans get a bad rap because a lot of people take out way more in debt than their degree will be worth when they graduate. You're not in this situation. You should be proud that you have already saved so much money in scholarships and grants, a lot of people don't have those.
Since you have less than two weeks, I think loans are the only way to go and you shouldn't feel bad about taking advantage of loan programs.
I don't have any money either, and no family to help. So I took out loans. My school has short-term loans to cover 1/2 tuition until the other federal loans come in. There are also private loans. If you do well your first semester, many hospitals will pay your tuition if you sign a contract with them. You must get good grades. Also, depending on who you work for, the loans can be wiped out if you work for an area that really needs nurses. Also, paying back the loan does not start until you get work, and you can set up the payment plan in different ways. Speak with you advisors to help you get the ball rolling. There is a government website for the school loans, but get the info from your school. Maybe your folks, get help out with a parent loan until your school loan money comes in. At public schools, you can get around 9,500 which should fully cover you instate tutition. If you have financial aid too, it should cover it. Post if you have trouble. You must hurry, as some of the schools are closing for break. Look at you college web site under loans also for directions on their process.
elkpark
14,633 Posts
"It's not fair" that you're expected to pay for your education??? Since when?