Terri Said:

How can I get this money?

We Answered:

Call the school and talk to the financial aid office. They deal with things like this all the time, and can offer you advice. We are in a similar situation with income and medical bills. We finally just did a Parent Plus Loan because it was all we could get for money. It doesn't have to be paid back until after you graduate. In our case, both student and parent will be paying back the parent plus loan, but it was the only money we could get.

Maybe your school can give you some more scholarship money. $3000 isn't very much in terms of college tuition- you've obviously done everything you can, and are just a little bit short. Perhaps they have some fund for people in your situation. You might have to prove the medical issues to them with documentation.

Holly Said:

Student Loans for Housing?

We Answered:

I work as a loan advisor for Nelnet.

The one thing you want to check for is to see if your school will certify cost of living for an apartment that is off campus.

I would call the financial aid department to see what stipulations they have as each school is different.

If they will not certify the loan, then you wont be able to take out a student loan, you would have to take out a personal loan at a bank...

Honestly, I would stay where you are. I understand how you want to get your own place, but it adds up, and when you get the bill, you will know then it wasnt worth it.

If the school will certify the loan, then you can get a federal staffor loan at a fixed 6.8%. If you are single, and under 24, then you may be able to talk to your parents about a parent PLUS loan in their name, but good luck talking them into that if they know your housing was free.

The loan itself would not be too hard to pay off, but it is one more thing to worry about when you just graduated and your trying to find a job- not to mention if you have to take out loans next year to cover tuition and books and stuff. only 15% of students get a free ride with scholarships and whatnot...

Summary: Take the free money, it will be worth it in the end!!!

Lois Said:

If you attended Mississippi State, would you recommend it?

We Answered:

For your undergrad degree, this is not a wise choice.
Go to the usnews.com/rankings site and compare the TN schools to Miss - you will see what I mean.

The best method is to get the finest education available in your home state at the least cost. Then, armed with that credential, finish your formal education at a great grad or professional school.

Another idea - there are a few superb small liberal arts schools in TN that have some sort of tuition plan with the state of TN. With the well-endowed schools' grants and scholarships, and the contribution from the state, you might end up with a great degree at the same or less cost than the state school.

Look at Rhodes College in Memphis for example.

Guy Said:

I need help getting money for school. Help gets 10 points right away!!?

We Answered:

Suba's right. You should be freaking out more. Because:

1. That 5,500 in a Stafford loan is the max amount as a dependent freshman if you went BOTH the fall and the spring.. and since you did not... you will only be eligible for half ($2,750) of that.

2. Stafford loans ARE financial aid and so you did qualify for aid.

3. The FAFSA application is not a scholarship application. So you would not have gotten any offers from filling out that form. Check with your school to find out if they have anything available for you... but words of advise most folks who are getting scholarships for the spring did their applications back in feb and march. Any kind of scholarship applications you will see out now will likely be for the next academic year.

4. Private loans are not an option without a credit worthy cosigner and it doesn't sound like your parents would qualify... but as Suba also said, you can have them apply for a federal PLUS (parent) loan and if they are denied the amount you can borrow in Stafford loans will increase slightly. A thousand or so more... (you never mentioned how much short you were). Hopefully it will be enough. Being offered more money after a denied PLUS loan application is a fairly new rule, so your schools fin aid office may not offer this option to you depending on how experienced their staff is.

Another option is to stay at home and commute rather than stay in the dorm... that will save you a TON of money and if your school is too far to commute, look at doing something a little closer to home.

Good luck

Ruben Said:

College Financial Aid between 18 and 25 years old?

We Answered:

Have you filled out a FAFSA? If not, then get on that definitely. Look for local scholarships and scholarships that only apply to your school. Look into other loan opportunities. How well have you been doing in school? A lot of schools offer scholarships for academics and the department you are in.

Otherwise, you might have to go to a community college for a year and save up. Since you went to an out of state school, with no background funding, and it doesn't seem like you tried to get scholarships or fin aid your first year if you have already maxed out your loans, then yes, it will be a lot more difficult for you to get funding.