I know it's been awhile since my last post - sorry! I haven't posted because quite honestly I haven't had anything to post before today, and even that's not much!
However before I get into that little bit, I need to clear something else up. It was brought to my attention that I was giving the world a very bad impression of my parents, specifically my dad that I never intended to give. It is true that my parents are not contributing to my school, however their reason for this decision is not because they are horrible people who just don't want to help, but rather it is based upon some bad choices that I have made. They feel that because of my decisions it would be wrong for them to contribute. The details of this are between me and them and have no place here. I want it to be known that the point of my posts here are not to bash my parents, or really even to vent my frustration with them. Instead, I intend for this to be about my frustration with the government, or the "system" who make it impossible for people in any situation without parental contribution to succeed. I do apologize for giving the wrong impression and portraying my parents in a bad light.
Like I said, there is really not much to update. Today I am extremely grateful for my employers that are offering me the Educational Assistance Program that I mentioned in an earlier post. It is frustrating the ridiculous costs of attending college, and I have often wondered if it is really worth it. Tonight I finished the process of enrolling and paying for the 1 class I will be taking this semester. After all was said and done, that one class cost $1,289.92. One class! This does include the textbooks, but those were purchased after an extensive search finding the lowest price available. This price makes me sick, and not having any federal financial helps makes it so much worse. Even if I were able to get a loan at this price, I don't even want to think about how much would accumulate over the course of my education plus interest!
At this point I'm still very stuck on where to go from here. I know that I need to begin writing letters to my Senator and Congressman, however I admit the idea scares me some, and I'm not really sure where to begin. But I'm determined to follow it through, any encouragement or advice is appreciated!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Baby Steps
So I'm still pretty frustrated, but I do have a couple of good things to report! First of all, I'm excited to say that I will be able to take 1 class this fall. It's certainly not all that I had hoped for but I will gratefully take what I can get. And before I share the details of this, I just have to say that I have the best job ever! I'm a nanny for a 17, almost 18 month old little girl. She's the sweetest thing ever and I love her to pieces. And her parents are amazing to work for. They pay me really well, even on days they don't need me, and make sure we have plenty to keep us busy. And now they're making it possible for me to take a class!
I'll do my best to explain this, but I don't really understand the whole process so forgive me if it's not clear. I just wanted to make sure to share it in case it could help someone else. First of all I just give you the official information so you can look it up to see if you understand it better. Apparently section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code offers an Educational Assistance Program (EAP) that employers can offer to their employees. From what I understand, employers can reimburse their employees for school related expenses up to a certain amount, tax free. I'm not sure how that amount is determined and the process etc, but I do know that it is allowing me to take 1 class! I looked this up online,and was still confused, but feel free to take a look for yourself, maybe you'll understand better! If anyone knows a better way to explain this please leave a comment!
Another small piece of direction came when I once again called the financial aid office at my school today. I asked about getting letters from a third party and a couple of other things that I've already tried, and I still have no help or hope from them. However, I did mention my frustration with the FAFSA and though regulations, and my desire to make contact to those in charge of that. She told me that I should write letters to my congressmen or senators. So, my next step is to start that process. This may take me awhile but I intend to find the correct contact information and get writing. I'll be sure to share those letters and feedback when the time comes!
I'll do my best to explain this, but I don't really understand the whole process so forgive me if it's not clear. I just wanted to make sure to share it in case it could help someone else. First of all I just give you the official information so you can look it up to see if you understand it better. Apparently section 127 of the Internal Revenue Code offers an Educational Assistance Program (EAP) that employers can offer to their employees. From what I understand, employers can reimburse their employees for school related expenses up to a certain amount, tax free. I'm not sure how that amount is determined and the process etc, but I do know that it is allowing me to take 1 class! I looked this up online,and was still confused, but feel free to take a look for yourself, maybe you'll understand better! If anyone knows a better way to explain this please leave a comment!
Another small piece of direction came when I once again called the financial aid office at my school today. I asked about getting letters from a third party and a couple of other things that I've already tried, and I still have no help or hope from them. However, I did mention my frustration with the FAFSA and though regulations, and my desire to make contact to those in charge of that. She told me that I should write letters to my congressmen or senators. So, my next step is to start that process. This may take me awhile but I intend to find the correct contact information and get writing. I'll be sure to share those letters and feedback when the time comes!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
The Frustration Continues!
So yesterday brought much more frustration on the financial aid front. In the research I have done I have found that while according to the questions on the FAFSA I am not considered independent, that my financial aid administrator has the power to make a judgement call to say that I am in fact independent and can apply for aid as such. After explaining my situation to the financial aid administrator at my school, she is refusing to do this. She said that my situation is not abuse or abandonment and without a letter from a pastor or a court order or police report, she will not make an exception. She also told me that the fact that I can't get a co-signer for a loan is a "personal problem". Gotta love how those at a Christian college are oh so eager to help. NOT! And when I made a comment about my years so far and the money spent being a waste, her response was "I hope it wasn't a waste and that you got something out of them". Well yes I got something out of them but I don't think that's going to do much when applying for jobs without a degree! It's frustrating when I've already put so much money into the classes and have gotten perfect grades so they know I'm serious, that the college has absolutely no interest in helping.
So today I'm looking into a different angle. I'm attempting to research the option of emancipation. I have heard from some that this an option that I can pursue and while I will not be able to receive my parent's health insurance benefits, I will be able to complete the FAFSA as an independent. I've also heard that since I am already over 18 that I cannot be emancipated, and another thing that I have heard is that even if I can be emancipated that still doesn't apply to financial aid. So the search begins! So far I have only been able to find information about emancipation for minors, but I will continue to search. Is there anyone who has actually done this? I've heard of people who know people who have, but I really need to talk to someone who has actually been through it and can give me some direction! I'll be sure to report back on my findings soon!
So today I'm looking into a different angle. I'm attempting to research the option of emancipation. I have heard from some that this an option that I can pursue and while I will not be able to receive my parent's health insurance benefits, I will be able to complete the FAFSA as an independent. I've also heard that since I am already over 18 that I cannot be emancipated, and another thing that I have heard is that even if I can be emancipated that still doesn't apply to financial aid. So the search begins! So far I have only been able to find information about emancipation for minors, but I will continue to search. Is there anyone who has actually done this? I've heard of people who know people who have, but I really need to talk to someone who has actually been through it and can give me some direction! I'll be sure to report back on my findings soon!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Roadblocks on My Journey
So before I start really digging in to finding new ways to pay for school, I thought I would share my story of the struggles I'm facing in my attempt to continue my education. I'm hoping to hear that I'm not the only one with these same issues and maybe someone has some more ideas!
First of all, I'll give you a little bit of background on what my education is! I was homeschooled from 4th grade all the way through high school. My parents felt that this was the best option for our family, and while I agree there were some benefits from it, it also caused me to miss out on many extracurricular activities that may have led to scholarships.
After high school I enrolled in a community college to get some of my general courses out of the way through their online program. I did this also because the cost was much less than going to a 4 year college and I was able to pay for this out of pocket with the money I had saved.
After I received 30 credits from the community college, I transferred those credits to Liberty University's online program where I am majoring in Psychology. Up until this point I have paid my tuition to Liberty with private loans with my father as my co-signer. However this has changed and all this leads up to my current situation.
Now I'm sure most of you that have gone through the college tuition process are familiar with FAFSA, a form that must be filled out to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. Even if you are completely independent, living on your own, paying your own bills etc. (as I am) and your parents refuse to take any part in covering the expenses (as is my case) unless you have certain other factors (marriage, children, military etc) they still consider your parents income until you are over the age of 24. My dad is a very hard worker and has a good, well paying job, so even though he has no part in my college education, the government has decided that he SHOULD play a part, and can cover my whole education and therefore will not give me any assistance for my education.
This has always been the case as far as federal aid is concerned for me. So I have used private loans to pay for my education so far. However, in order to get a private loan you have to have 3 years of credit history... I can't say I know many college students that have that! So in order to get the loan I need a co-signer. In the past my dad has been my co-signer, by because of some bad decisions on my part, my father and I have developed a very distance and strained relationship, and he is no longer willing to be my co-signer. Which closes the door on that option.
A final option that many people use are scholarships, from the school or other places. Now my school does not offer many scholarships for online students, and even fewer for online transfer students. I have spent countless hours searching for outside scholarship and applied to literally hundreds of them, and have received no response on that front.
While it's looking fairly hopeless for me right now, I am not giving up. I have put far too much time and effort into overcoming the struggles I have faced so far, and I will continue to search and dig until I find a solution. And when I find the solution, I am determined to make it easier and more accessible to others like myself in the future!
First of all, I'll give you a little bit of background on what my education is! I was homeschooled from 4th grade all the way through high school. My parents felt that this was the best option for our family, and while I agree there were some benefits from it, it also caused me to miss out on many extracurricular activities that may have led to scholarships.
After high school I enrolled in a community college to get some of my general courses out of the way through their online program. I did this also because the cost was much less than going to a 4 year college and I was able to pay for this out of pocket with the money I had saved.
After I received 30 credits from the community college, I transferred those credits to Liberty University's online program where I am majoring in Psychology. Up until this point I have paid my tuition to Liberty with private loans with my father as my co-signer. However this has changed and all this leads up to my current situation.
Now I'm sure most of you that have gone through the college tuition process are familiar with FAFSA, a form that must be filled out to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid. Even if you are completely independent, living on your own, paying your own bills etc. (as I am) and your parents refuse to take any part in covering the expenses (as is my case) unless you have certain other factors (marriage, children, military etc) they still consider your parents income until you are over the age of 24. My dad is a very hard worker and has a good, well paying job, so even though he has no part in my college education, the government has decided that he SHOULD play a part, and can cover my whole education and therefore will not give me any assistance for my education.
This has always been the case as far as federal aid is concerned for me. So I have used private loans to pay for my education so far. However, in order to get a private loan you have to have 3 years of credit history... I can't say I know many college students that have that! So in order to get the loan I need a co-signer. In the past my dad has been my co-signer, by because of some bad decisions on my part, my father and I have developed a very distance and strained relationship, and he is no longer willing to be my co-signer. Which closes the door on that option.
A final option that many people use are scholarships, from the school or other places. Now my school does not offer many scholarships for online students, and even fewer for online transfer students. I have spent countless hours searching for outside scholarship and applied to literally hundreds of them, and have received no response on that front.
While it's looking fairly hopeless for me right now, I am not giving up. I have put far too much time and effort into overcoming the struggles I have faced so far, and I will continue to search and dig until I find a solution. And when I find the solution, I am determined to make it easier and more accessible to others like myself in the future!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
The Beginning of My Journey
I am a college student who has hit a roadblock on the path to graduation and earning my degree. I know that paying for school and all of the associated expenses is something that many people my age and all other ages struggle with. While there are many options out there - scholarships, loans, financial aid and more, none of these are currently options for me. In the future I'll go into more detail as to why these aren't options, but for now I just want to give you an idea of what my purpose is for this blog.
First of all, I hope to meet others who are facing this same struggle, so that maybe we can take this journey together and help each other out. I'd also like to find others who have faced this struggle and overcome it, and hope that they'll share their victories and struggles with those of us who have to get to that point. I would also like this to be a place where I can share what I learn, and hopefully share victories of finding lesser known ways of getting money for school. And finally, if there truly aren't the options that I'm looking for, I hope to be able to make contacts that can help to make changes, so that in the future people like myself won't face the same struggles, and can get the important education that should not be such a struggle to pay for.
Like I said, I'm hoping to make lots of contacts for all different aspects of this process. So if you stop by, please leave a comment and let me know you're here, and share any wisdom that you have, or any struggles you are facing.
First of all, I hope to meet others who are facing this same struggle, so that maybe we can take this journey together and help each other out. I'd also like to find others who have faced this struggle and overcome it, and hope that they'll share their victories and struggles with those of us who have to get to that point. I would also like this to be a place where I can share what I learn, and hopefully share victories of finding lesser known ways of getting money for school. And finally, if there truly aren't the options that I'm looking for, I hope to be able to make contacts that can help to make changes, so that in the future people like myself won't face the same struggles, and can get the important education that should not be such a struggle to pay for.
Like I said, I'm hoping to make lots of contacts for all different aspects of this process. So if you stop by, please leave a comment and let me know you're here, and share any wisdom that you have, or any struggles you are facing.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)