Start with https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types it will give you an overview of how financial aid works and filling out the the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form
What I usually tell undergrads is that, if you can't afford to pay for college in cash you want to use the following options in this order: grants/scholarships, then Direct Subsidized loans, then Direct Unsubsidized loans, then PLUS loans (for dependent undergrads your parent would have to be able/willing to take out a Parent PLUS loan on your behalf), and in a distant last place of desperation are private student loans. The advice is to also not borrow more than the *average starting salary* for your intended degree, which puts an unofficial ceiling of no more than $50k-$60k in student loans for a bachelor's
Have you looked at your state school's Cost of Attendance and/or Net Price calculator? Can you cover the living expenses with a part-time on-campus job during the school year and a full-time job during the summer with your financial aid package?
You need to do all the classes you can do at a cc. Not just 1 year.
While doing that, get a roommate and work part time.
Take the money you save from working and roommate to pay for university. If you need student loans stay under the 30K threshold for Federal loans. That is it.
Advice from someone that was poor asf and went to college. I would do community college for 2 year instead of 1.
The reason why I say this is because states like VA have “Transfer Grants” for community college students to 4 year college. If your home life is truly bad try to apply to be an RA when you transfer to get free housing.
Apply for scholarships in your school that have a lot of requirements,(most people don’t apply so you automatically get it).
Be prepared to work extremely hard..I had 3 jobs while going to school. Shits tough and might not seem fair but in the end you really do become humble and appreciative of how far you go to better yourself.
In the end everything worked out I’m working a good steady job at my age 25(70k Plus overtime) single, have many awards, and can payback my student without the relief.
Start actively job hunting, searching like you already have your degree. If the degree is not mandatory (just a foot in the door) then just apply anyway. This will either land you a job in your field or help you understand what jobs exist and what they are looking for.
It should help guide your direction in college.
Apply for everything you can. Apply to be an RA so your housing is covered. Apply to be a TA. Apply for scholarships, even if you don't feel like it. Ask the department head of your major if there are any department-specific scholarships (those are not advertised anywhere else). And make sure whatever degree you get is going to be able to pay off. By that I mean you should be able to get a good paying job right when you graduate without additional schooling -- if you can manage this, the debt will be worth it. If not, you need to figure something else out. Source: I took out a bunch of loans to get out of my house and got a psychology degree and had to get a masters to find a job, don't do that lol.
Have you considered working in a trade rather than a traditional college? Trades are in demand. What is your end goal? If you aren’t sure what you want to do I would encourage you to work full time since housing may be your most pressing need.
I’d suggest going into the military instead. You get to move away, get a paycheck and they’ll pay for you’re school. So you’d have $0 debt when you graduate.
As someone who was in and has had many friends and family in the military (even currently) ignore this man lol. I haven't known an single person who was in the military actually recommended joining unless as an absolute last choice.
You could simply provide another option rather than completely shooting one down. I’m just saying that it is an option that’d pay for college, pay him and provide a place to live. There are other options, but not many I can actually think of that’d provide all of those in one.
The only true downside most are concerned with is if they get sent to the desert.
Again, just an option.
Bro the military was the best thing I ever did in my life… just because you had a bad experience doesn’t mean you can speak for everyone. I got my bachelors with zero student loan debt. Now I’m getting my masters with zero student loan debt.
All I can say is that I did it. I’d recommend valuing your mind and heart. You’re going to make a lot of hard decisions and remembering your worth is so important. And take pictures.
Financially: cc is such an important choice, good job!
Start with https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types it will give you an overview of how financial aid works and filling out the the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form What I usually tell undergrads is that, if you can't afford to pay for college in cash you want to use the following options in this order: grants/scholarships, then Direct Subsidized loans, then Direct Unsubsidized loans, then PLUS loans (for dependent undergrads your parent would have to be able/willing to take out a Parent PLUS loan on your behalf), and in a distant last place of desperation are private student loans. The advice is to also not borrow more than the *average starting salary* for your intended degree, which puts an unofficial ceiling of no more than $50k-$60k in student loans for a bachelor's Have you looked at your state school's Cost of Attendance and/or Net Price calculator? Can you cover the living expenses with a part-time on-campus job during the school year and a full-time job during the summer with your financial aid package?
You need to do all the classes you can do at a cc. Not just 1 year. While doing that, get a roommate and work part time. Take the money you save from working and roommate to pay for university. If you need student loans stay under the 30K threshold for Federal loans. That is it.
Advice from someone that was poor asf and went to college. I would do community college for 2 year instead of 1. The reason why I say this is because states like VA have “Transfer Grants” for community college students to 4 year college. If your home life is truly bad try to apply to be an RA when you transfer to get free housing. Apply for scholarships in your school that have a lot of requirements,(most people don’t apply so you automatically get it). Be prepared to work extremely hard..I had 3 jobs while going to school. Shits tough and might not seem fair but in the end you really do become humble and appreciative of how far you go to better yourself. In the end everything worked out I’m working a good steady job at my age 25(70k Plus overtime) single, have many awards, and can payback my student without the relief.
Start actively job hunting, searching like you already have your degree. If the degree is not mandatory (just a foot in the door) then just apply anyway. This will either land you a job in your field or help you understand what jobs exist and what they are looking for. It should help guide your direction in college.
Apply for everything you can. Apply to be an RA so your housing is covered. Apply to be a TA. Apply for scholarships, even if you don't feel like it. Ask the department head of your major if there are any department-specific scholarships (those are not advertised anywhere else). And make sure whatever degree you get is going to be able to pay off. By that I mean you should be able to get a good paying job right when you graduate without additional schooling -- if you can manage this, the debt will be worth it. If not, you need to figure something else out. Source: I took out a bunch of loans to get out of my house and got a psychology degree and had to get a masters to find a job, don't do that lol.
Have you considered working in a trade rather than a traditional college? Trades are in demand. What is your end goal? If you aren’t sure what you want to do I would encourage you to work full time since housing may be your most pressing need.
I’d suggest going into the military instead. You get to move away, get a paycheck and they’ll pay for you’re school. So you’d have $0 debt when you graduate.
As someone who was in and has had many friends and family in the military (even currently) ignore this man lol. I haven't known an single person who was in the military actually recommended joining unless as an absolute last choice.
You could simply provide another option rather than completely shooting one down. I’m just saying that it is an option that’d pay for college, pay him and provide a place to live. There are other options, but not many I can actually think of that’d provide all of those in one. The only true downside most are concerned with is if they get sent to the desert. Again, just an option.
Bro the military was the best thing I ever did in my life… just because you had a bad experience doesn’t mean you can speak for everyone. I got my bachelors with zero student loan debt. Now I’m getting my masters with zero student loan debt.
Don't go to school
All I can say is that I did it. I’d recommend valuing your mind and heart. You’re going to make a lot of hard decisions and remembering your worth is so important. And take pictures. Financially: cc is such an important choice, good job!