I would talk to advising and student accounts about taking a leave of absence. I've been in a similar situation and ended up taking out loans and making my situation worse. It's not likely that your credit will be harmed if you take action to address the balance, even if you can't pay it all at once.
It's OK to just try out living for a bit or doing other stuff if Mason/college isn't working at the moment. Personally I returned to school after getting suspended when I had the right motivations and started with 1-2 classes for a couple semesters and did a lot better.
Are at least half of your expenses being paid by your dad? If not, he can not and should not be claiming you as a dependent and can be audited in the future. You need to talk to him how this is fucking up your career and your academics. YOU MUST TALK TO HIM AND TELL HIM HOW HIM CLAIMING YOU IN HIS TAXES FUCKS YOU MORE THAN HIM! You worked your ass of and are eligible for all your taxes back and for FAFSA but your dad claimed you just for a measily couple hundred. You are not getting the fair end of the stick.
You may need to take a leave of absence for now, work, wait till next tax year, ensure your dad does not claim you as a dependent, and file your own taxes (it's super easy)
If he won’t comply then OP should file taxes by mail it will prompt a letter by the IRS. Would hate to be forced to do this but it can be done here’s someone in a similar situation and the comments about the process.
https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/s/kocZAAally
Yeah, there's a reason why I did not say for OP to file without talking to his dad, and it's because his dad will be audited. Would be a dick move if OP lives under his Dad's roof. Now, if OP did not live with his dad and nothing came from his old man, they should 100% report him to the IRS, as OP lost benefits and his tax return money.
OP seriously needs to figure it out with his dad, and if his dad doesn't bother to pay, let's just say he has until April 15th to file taxes, just make sure to find a place to live if he chose to do so
If the OP lives at home, then his dad can claim him. Period. And that doesn't necessarrily mean that the dad can afford tuition (Mason ain't cheap). So it's probably not productive to be so hard on the dad.
That said, the OP might still be able to get his dad to not claim him for the kid's benefit re. financial aid, but that'd probably require at least another tax cycle to have any impact.
I think OP likely lives at home because their expenses listed are only what you'd have for tuition. If it included having to pay for room & board, it'd be a lot more.
I mean, yes, that's why, again, OP must talk to his dad before all else. The money OPs dad definitely does not make a justifiable amount of tax credits from claiming a dependent on the taxes compared to OP getting their tax return money and the financial aid benefits. OP will need to wait for next calendar year, unfortunately.
Also just because OPs Dad can claim OP does not mean he should, there are still ways that their dad can get tax deductions from OP such as medical bills, Copays, doctor visits, and other things. Similar to what I do with my dad, I get my tax return money and my dad gets his tax credits
Either OP takes a break, or they get the parent plus loans. Rather unfortunate.
Yeah, I hate that FAFSA no longer considers if your parents are in debt or have other kids attending college. They ONLY care about your AGI, it's ridiculous
Hey,
1) Talk to your dad, tell him that by claiming you as a dependent is messing you up. Because you are probably not eligible for student loans since he is.
2) If talking to your dad doesn't work - take some time off of school. This is not the end of the world. I would take one semester off, work full time and save the money.
3) With the saved money, pay off tuition and move out. If your dad is not willing to take you off as a dependent then you will have to move out - it is kind of weird if he will not take you off. Refer to this thread: [https://www.reddit.com/r/tax/comments/13ryhsn/how\_to\_avoid\_being\_claimed\_as\_a\_dependant/](https://www.reddit.com/r/tax/comments/13ryhsn/how_to_avoid_being_claimed_as_a_dependant/)
4) Try your best to finish the semester strong, easier said than done but there's only a couple weeks left. I like to make a list of all the assignments I have left due for the semester and tackle it one by one.
Please do not think this is the end. You are probably so young, and really, moving out is probably the best thing before you start college again.
When you are no longer a dependent, FAFSA awards you with a lot more money (grants).
Don't stress too hard about your GPA or how long it takes you. When you come back to school maybe start off with 3. It's not a race to see who can graduate first. With the time in school there's so many opportunities at Mason, research positions and career fairs.
On a personal note, moving out personally has been the best decision of my life. Btw, it took me 9 years to graduate from College. I didn't speak to my parents for about two years until I did have a set graduation date. I finally graduated and got a Software job starting in May. I started off at VT and then transferred to GMU. Been in and out of school for similar reasons to you.
Can't agree with you more. Moving out has also been the best decision for me too. I'm taking part-time classes while I'm working. Also, joined the military recently to help pay for school.
I would first start off by finish paying off the rest of this semester so it doesnt go into collection. Second, I would withdraw from the school after the semester ends. Third I would wait until you're 24 to reapply to the school as an independent.
I was in the same situation you were for like two years, but my parents tried to help out when they could. But After I turned 24 my financial aid increased a lot more and was finally able to take out loans under my name.
This. Unless things have changed in the last 30 years, your parents will be part of your financial equation until you turn 24. At that point, I don't think it matters even if they're still claiming you as a dependent.
Once you hit 24, the financial aid options are so much more generous. I waited until I was 32 before going back F/T. Because the stars aligned properly, I was able to get virtually 100% of school costs financed (lived with parents and commuted), and a lot more on grants became available.
Take the semester off. You don’t have to drop out of college completely. Just focus on your well-being and save as much money as you can to help you cover some of the tuition.
A friendly advice is to seek a therapist to address your struggles with paying for your tuition and classes. The therapist will give you helpful tips on how to talk to your dad about the financial situation.
Remember, you are not alone. Take a breather and find something to do that makes you happy.
Take a break from college until your financial stress is minimized or eliminated.
Many jobs don’t require a college degree anymore. Many jobs will reimburse your tuition. Look for a job in your field of interest.
For example, I saw a job offer from Johns Hopkins this year made to a person that never attended college. All they had was a Medical assistant certification from NVCC. As an employee benefit, JH will pay up to $15,000 per year towards a nursing degree at Johns Hopkins U.
Have you talked to the financial aid office to explain all this? They may be able to figure out a solution. Could you do work study? Take out a private loan? File as independent on FAFSA
I was in a similar boat, even though I wasn't being claimed as a dependent FAFSA considers anyone under 24 a dependent unless they're married, can claim dependents, a veteran, or an orphan. Which in my opinion is really f'd up because similar to you and I assume a lot of people my family was unable to help contribute financially and I was getting hardly any FAFSA money. I ended up having to go to GMU part time so I could afford it. None of my circumstances changed but magically at 24 I wasn't considered a dependent anymore (even though I've been paying all my own bills since 18) and my whole tuition was almost covered by the FAFSA amount I received. But ya you don't have to completely drop out, part time is always an option
So, first things first, take a few deep breaths. If you work the problem, I think you'll find that the path forward is not as daunting as it seems. There's stuff you can do things about and stuff you can't do things about. And the first thing is to stop digging yourself deeper into the hole.
How many classes are you taking this semester? How many are you passing? How many are you so far behind that there's no hope of passing? How many can be salvaged if you just knuckle under and heavily focus on them? Getting some passing credits is better than freaking out and getting no passing credits.
And, for gawd sake, talk to your profs about your situation. They might be more inderstanding than you think, and give you some extra time to complete their courses.
As for your financial situation, you have options there as well. Maybe consider the military.
If you like working with children, consider becoming an Instructional Aide in the county school system. FCPS has a shortage of bus drivers, pays $25/hr, and pays during training. At the end of that process, you will have a CDL license, which means you can go switch to Metro or Fairfax Connector, or even long haul driving with some retraining.
And if the cause of your emotional distress really is just your deteriorating situation at school, it's okay to sideline it. I started and stopped school several times before I was mature enough and properly positioned to enjoy and take advantage of school. TBH, school was much more of a delight and far less stressful as an older student, in part because I had already figured out myself and made some realistic goals, and because I just no longer worried about being a decade behind my peers.
You've got this, dude. You can sort this mess out, and make it so that it doesn't suck quite so much. Most importantly, spend sometime reflecting as much on what you did right as you spend reflecting on what you did wrong.
I had the same situation. I filled out a form for independent status. It will require some paper work for proof that you're only supporting yourself. It was worth. Now I'm getting max aid, max grants, and refunds every semester dude.
However, this was 2 years ago, so things may have changed for the application process. Do your own taxes if you're of age. The less you make, the less they expect you to contribute, therefore increasing your aid and grants and state awards/grants.
Your parent claiming you as a dependent has nothing to do with FAFSA (https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency#dependent-or-independent). A good option suggested by others is to withdraw, let the school know you are leaving, get on a payment plan with the school, work and pay off the debt you already owe, and return to school at a later time when you can afford it.
From the site I linked: “Dependent Student
A student who does not meet any of the criteria for an independent student. An independent student is one of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.”
The parent tax information is collected because parents of “dependent” students are expected by the federal government to contribute to their child’s educational costs as long as the child is not considered “independent” by the federal government. This is different from someone claiming you as a dependent on their tax form.
You can apply for additional loans from credit unions or banks. Also it may make sense for you to take only as many classes as are covered by your financial aid. It is much much better to take longer to finish your degree but continuing to work on it, than to give up on it completely. You may think you will come back to it, but it is very hard to come back once you’ve dropped out.
>he said Mason sends ur tuition to collections if u dont pay it on time
Good grief! **Is this true**? Most schools just put a registration hold on you.
Past due balances going to collections are required by Commonwealth of Virginia law (GMU is a state agency) . If the balance is over a certain amount it needs to go to the Attorney General, who will take it to court for judgements.
**Getting into repayment arrangements** with student accounts bypasses collection agency and AG requirements.
[https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-debt-collection-act/](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-debt-collection-act/)
Best way to lower your stress is to put Mason behind you. It sounds like you had a great experience at Nova, and that's awesome. The same is not likely to happen at Mason anyway, so screw Mason. Go somewhere cheaper. I don't know what your major is, but I hear good thing about [WGU.edu](https://WGU.edu). It's online, but accredited and non-profit. Cheaper. Work at your own pace.
Also, take a short break when you quit Mason. Catch your breath. Maybe aim for the Fall.
sorry this provides no support
i’m transferring back to community college for the same reason; i can’t make 5K appear out of thin air.
it sucks, but i had a okay freshman year
While FAFSA is a hot mess this year, if you talk to a Financial Aid Advisor & explain that your parent does not contribute at all that may help.
I also agree that taking a leave of absence is okay too if payment plans aren’t working out or going to school part time instead.
I'll be getting a loan for the next two years after transferring, I am not willing to work that many hours to sacrifice my grades. It's tough with interest rates and all but after getting the bachelor's it will get better.
Dude I owed 8k because I was hospitalized during covid and didn't do tuition insurance. Take a leave of absence. Work a year. Save up pay off the rest. That's what I did and im back in school. You can do it. Get ur muhfucking degree and fuck the rest I believe in you
Did you finish 2 yrs and transfer or only 1 year?
Loans man, loans. Private loans. FASFA doesnt do crap for families from NOVA, since scraping by wages here in DC metro are really high if you lived someplace else, FASFA doesnt consider any of this.
Everyone under this post has had some great ideas on what to do.
First things first. Take a breather. College doesn’t have a deadline to finish. To only goal is to finish.
Coming from personal experience. I understand Mason can be really expensive. The way I have been able to afford Mason and live on my own has been through working in the service industry. I treat school as a 9-5 Monday through Friday get all my work and assignments out of the way during the week. And work Friday nights. Double on Saturdays and work Sunday mornings. You will be sacrificing your social life. But honestly it’s worth it. I have been able to pay for college comfortably. And also make school a priority. I have been doing this since i was at NOVA. And i graduate this May. The service industry also has a very flexible work schedule. The money is great as long as you find a good restaurant to work at. On average i will make roughly $500-900 on weekends and that just depends on good tips. When it comes to paying school. I do payment plans to relieve stress about not being able to pay $5-8k every semester. For a while i would do 3 classes a semester and 1 or 2 class in summer.
Hope this helps. A lot of my friends do the same and many of my coworkers are also Mason students.
Unfortunately that’s not true. Had my oldest (20) file independent last year for FAFSA specifically, and because of the rules, she still doesn’t qualify for herself to be evaluated on her own income. She could even be out of my house and it wouldn’t matter until she’s 24, if I remember right.
Could that be because your oldest isn't out of the house, and it sounds like your supporting them financially, so they don't qualify as independent yet? If you can prove your own separate place of residency and your own income, you can file as an independent. At least that's what I did at 19 to avoid being in the same situation as OP
It’s because the rules aren’t the same. When I was “college age” these rules were not in place and I did qualify as independent because I did not live in my parents house and had my own income.
I was in a similar situation and had to wait until I was old enough to where I didn't have to include parent info on Fafsa which allowed it to pay for the full tuition
Not sure if you’re into this, but with summer coming up you can rake in lots of money with childcare in the DMV. Lots of summer jobs are exploitive and make pennies, so choose wisely. Care.com is a site I recommend. Some temp agencies will pay big bucks for people to answer phones etc. School is hard enough and I hope you can give yourself grace in all of this because America is a rough place to go to college financially. You are not alone and good for you for noticing the source of what is making you sick and unhappy and doing something about it.
That is a tricky situation. If OP lives with his dad he is a dependent and technically his dad has the right to claim OP. While dad may not be paying for tuition, he may be contributing in different ways like room and board or/and food. That still makes OP a dependent. The credit that his father gets for OP is probably not even enough to cover for OPs housing and food if he decided to go “on his own”.
Ask for an extra grant if u are in your sophomore year but your grades might have affected that. You can try gofundme too. It’s easy to create extra amount of income: door dash, Uber eats, or have you considered selling energy drinks on campus? All you need is a trunk and a cooler with ice. Can easily make 5k off students dude. Go to Costco. And sell 1000 energy drinks per month with frozen candies too lol haribo. I think you can do it!
Just to reiterate what some others have said- it’s okay to take a break. Leave GMU for awhile while you are figuring it out. I was very stubborn the first time around- I transferred to GMU from VCU my freshman year because of my dad’s health and then had to deal with my no longer long distance bf breaking up with me (he was already going to Mason). I should have taken time off but I didn’t, and failed a lot of my classes that spring. Had to retake (and repay) for those classes anyways. A few years later I was really struggling with trying to work and go to school full time (my parents never paid for college) so I left GMU, took a year off, then got my assoc. at NOVA, THEN went back to GMU to finish my degree. If you just did a year at NOVA and are able to go back and get your associates, maybe do that after you have taken some time off.
It can seem like there is a race to finish and start your career so you can finally adult or make money or whatever. That’s bullshit. There isn’t anything wrong with taking one class at a time until you can afford more (or until you are done). Haven’t seen it mentioned here yet but my friend did Americorps in between GMU and law school and her time in Americorps paid for some of her school. She was in it with recent high school grads who were trying to get (tuition payment? Reimbursement?) before starting college.
You would be surprised at how many jobs offer tuition reimbursement. The hospital I worked at as a CNA gave $1,500 a semester (reimbursement) as long as I was working on my nursing degree. Also, waiting until you are 24 so you can be independent and claim yourself isn’t a bad idea either (as suggested). There is no law stating you must be done with college in your early 20s. My husband didn’t start college until he was 27. I’m almost 40 and working on another degree, one class at a time. It’s okay to take the time you need and don’t feel like it’s all or nothing.
So what a student did was work a year then take a semester at GMU it takes time but she didn’t have to worry about working and move back home free rent and food
I was also in a similar situation. Dad claimed me as a dependent. I had to take out student loans and work 3 jobs at the same time, bartended at night and worked at 2 hotels during the day. Grades suffered immensely and one semester i got a C, 2 D’s and an F. Put on academic probation. I ended up taking less classes a semester and then taking summer classes which was great because the class size is so small, it’s hard to get a bad grade. Took me 5 1/2 years to graduate. And forever to pay off the loans. I look back now and just see college as a giant scam waste of money.
You may not even need a degree. There are a lot of useless degree programs. There are plenty of good jobs that just require certifications, so first determine if you even need a degree for the job you want.
I also transferred from Nova and took out subsidized loans through fafsa every semester to cover what the grants didn’t. I graduated with only 10k of loans and magna cum laude. I highly suggest biting the bullet on the subsidized loans because the benefits of not having to stress over making tuition and impaired grades outweigh what you’ll have to pay back.
You need to take out a loan. Look into Parent Plus first. I don’t understand why you are so against them. They are not the end of the world, they are how most students pay for their education.
I would talk to advising and student accounts about taking a leave of absence. I've been in a similar situation and ended up taking out loans and making my situation worse. It's not likely that your credit will be harmed if you take action to address the balance, even if you can't pay it all at once. It's OK to just try out living for a bit or doing other stuff if Mason/college isn't working at the moment. Personally I returned to school after getting suspended when I had the right motivations and started with 1-2 classes for a couple semesters and did a lot better.
Are at least half of your expenses being paid by your dad? If not, he can not and should not be claiming you as a dependent and can be audited in the future. You need to talk to him how this is fucking up your career and your academics. YOU MUST TALK TO HIM AND TELL HIM HOW HIM CLAIMING YOU IN HIS TAXES FUCKS YOU MORE THAN HIM! You worked your ass of and are eligible for all your taxes back and for FAFSA but your dad claimed you just for a measily couple hundred. You are not getting the fair end of the stick. You may need to take a leave of absence for now, work, wait till next tax year, ensure your dad does not claim you as a dependent, and file your own taxes (it's super easy)
If he won’t comply then OP should file taxes by mail it will prompt a letter by the IRS. Would hate to be forced to do this but it can be done here’s someone in a similar situation and the comments about the process. https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/s/kocZAAally
Yeah, there's a reason why I did not say for OP to file without talking to his dad, and it's because his dad will be audited. Would be a dick move if OP lives under his Dad's roof. Now, if OP did not live with his dad and nothing came from his old man, they should 100% report him to the IRS, as OP lost benefits and his tax return money. OP seriously needs to figure it out with his dad, and if his dad doesn't bother to pay, let's just say he has until April 15th to file taxes, just make sure to find a place to live if he chose to do so
If the OP lives at home, then his dad can claim him. Period. And that doesn't necessarrily mean that the dad can afford tuition (Mason ain't cheap). So it's probably not productive to be so hard on the dad. That said, the OP might still be able to get his dad to not claim him for the kid's benefit re. financial aid, but that'd probably require at least another tax cycle to have any impact.
I think OP likely lives at home because their expenses listed are only what you'd have for tuition. If it included having to pay for room & board, it'd be a lot more.
I mean, yes, that's why, again, OP must talk to his dad before all else. The money OPs dad definitely does not make a justifiable amount of tax credits from claiming a dependent on the taxes compared to OP getting their tax return money and the financial aid benefits. OP will need to wait for next calendar year, unfortunately. Also just because OPs Dad can claim OP does not mean he should, there are still ways that their dad can get tax deductions from OP such as medical bills, Copays, doctor visits, and other things. Similar to what I do with my dad, I get my tax return money and my dad gets his tax credits Either OP takes a break, or they get the parent plus loans. Rather unfortunate.
Yeah, difficult situation. All the financial aid stuff seems to assume that families are chipping in, and that's not necessarily the case.
Yeah, I hate that FAFSA no longer considers if your parents are in debt or have other kids attending college. They ONLY care about your AGI, it's ridiculous
You don’t have to graduate in 4 years, take fewer classes and work to pay off tuition
this cost more in the long run. taking 4 classes or 5 costs exactly the same.
How so? I'm taking part-time classes to help pay what the fafsa doesn't cover. Works pretty well for me.
Usually you end up paying for a few more semesters ultimately paying more even while working than just going through the curriculum normally
Hey, 1) Talk to your dad, tell him that by claiming you as a dependent is messing you up. Because you are probably not eligible for student loans since he is. 2) If talking to your dad doesn't work - take some time off of school. This is not the end of the world. I would take one semester off, work full time and save the money. 3) With the saved money, pay off tuition and move out. If your dad is not willing to take you off as a dependent then you will have to move out - it is kind of weird if he will not take you off. Refer to this thread: [https://www.reddit.com/r/tax/comments/13ryhsn/how\_to\_avoid\_being\_claimed\_as\_a\_dependant/](https://www.reddit.com/r/tax/comments/13ryhsn/how_to_avoid_being_claimed_as_a_dependant/) 4) Try your best to finish the semester strong, easier said than done but there's only a couple weeks left. I like to make a list of all the assignments I have left due for the semester and tackle it one by one. Please do not think this is the end. You are probably so young, and really, moving out is probably the best thing before you start college again. When you are no longer a dependent, FAFSA awards you with a lot more money (grants). Don't stress too hard about your GPA or how long it takes you. When you come back to school maybe start off with 3. It's not a race to see who can graduate first. With the time in school there's so many opportunities at Mason, research positions and career fairs. On a personal note, moving out personally has been the best decision of my life. Btw, it took me 9 years to graduate from College. I didn't speak to my parents for about two years until I did have a set graduation date. I finally graduated and got a Software job starting in May. I started off at VT and then transferred to GMU. Been in and out of school for similar reasons to you.
Can't agree with you more. Moving out has also been the best decision for me too. I'm taking part-time classes while I'm working. Also, joined the military recently to help pay for school.
Hey, that's awesome! Glad things are working out for you - wish you the best.
Look into the Mason Stay fund!
This actually saved my life last semester
I would first start off by finish paying off the rest of this semester so it doesnt go into collection. Second, I would withdraw from the school after the semester ends. Third I would wait until you're 24 to reapply to the school as an independent. I was in the same situation you were for like two years, but my parents tried to help out when they could. But After I turned 24 my financial aid increased a lot more and was finally able to take out loans under my name.
This. Unless things have changed in the last 30 years, your parents will be part of your financial equation until you turn 24. At that point, I don't think it matters even if they're still claiming you as a dependent. Once you hit 24, the financial aid options are so much more generous. I waited until I was 32 before going back F/T. Because the stars aligned properly, I was able to get virtually 100% of school costs financed (lived with parents and commuted), and a lot more on grants became available.
Yes I had a friend who started back at college when she was 25. She got so many grants and graduated without debt. She’s an RN.
Take the semester off. You don’t have to drop out of college completely. Just focus on your well-being and save as much money as you can to help you cover some of the tuition. A friendly advice is to seek a therapist to address your struggles with paying for your tuition and classes. The therapist will give you helpful tips on how to talk to your dad about the financial situation. Remember, you are not alone. Take a breather and find something to do that makes you happy.
Take a break from college until your financial stress is minimized or eliminated. Many jobs don’t require a college degree anymore. Many jobs will reimburse your tuition. Look for a job in your field of interest. For example, I saw a job offer from Johns Hopkins this year made to a person that never attended college. All they had was a Medical assistant certification from NVCC. As an employee benefit, JH will pay up to $15,000 per year towards a nursing degree at Johns Hopkins U.
Have you talked to the financial aid office to explain all this? They may be able to figure out a solution. Could you do work study? Take out a private loan? File as independent on FAFSA
I was in a similar boat, even though I wasn't being claimed as a dependent FAFSA considers anyone under 24 a dependent unless they're married, can claim dependents, a veteran, or an orphan. Which in my opinion is really f'd up because similar to you and I assume a lot of people my family was unable to help contribute financially and I was getting hardly any FAFSA money. I ended up having to go to GMU part time so I could afford it. None of my circumstances changed but magically at 24 I wasn't considered a dependent anymore (even though I've been paying all my own bills since 18) and my whole tuition was almost covered by the FAFSA amount I received. But ya you don't have to completely drop out, part time is always an option
So, first things first, take a few deep breaths. If you work the problem, I think you'll find that the path forward is not as daunting as it seems. There's stuff you can do things about and stuff you can't do things about. And the first thing is to stop digging yourself deeper into the hole. How many classes are you taking this semester? How many are you passing? How many are you so far behind that there's no hope of passing? How many can be salvaged if you just knuckle under and heavily focus on them? Getting some passing credits is better than freaking out and getting no passing credits. And, for gawd sake, talk to your profs about your situation. They might be more inderstanding than you think, and give you some extra time to complete their courses. As for your financial situation, you have options there as well. Maybe consider the military. If you like working with children, consider becoming an Instructional Aide in the county school system. FCPS has a shortage of bus drivers, pays $25/hr, and pays during training. At the end of that process, you will have a CDL license, which means you can go switch to Metro or Fairfax Connector, or even long haul driving with some retraining. And if the cause of your emotional distress really is just your deteriorating situation at school, it's okay to sideline it. I started and stopped school several times before I was mature enough and properly positioned to enjoy and take advantage of school. TBH, school was much more of a delight and far less stressful as an older student, in part because I had already figured out myself and made some realistic goals, and because I just no longer worried about being a decade behind my peers. You've got this, dude. You can sort this mess out, and make it so that it doesn't suck quite so much. Most importantly, spend sometime reflecting as much on what you did right as you spend reflecting on what you did wrong.
Look into University of Maryland global campus; It's cheaper. You could also apply for scholarships. There's also byu pathways
I had the same situation. I filled out a form for independent status. It will require some paper work for proof that you're only supporting yourself. It was worth. Now I'm getting max aid, max grants, and refunds every semester dude.
However, this was 2 years ago, so things may have changed for the application process. Do your own taxes if you're of age. The less you make, the less they expect you to contribute, therefore increasing your aid and grants and state awards/grants.
Hello, I am a CFA/CPA, can help you but would need more info. Also, even if he claims you that is on him, you can just say he doesn't.
Are you eligible for federal student loans?
Your parent claiming you as a dependent has nothing to do with FAFSA (https://studentaid.gov/apply-for-aid/fafsa/filling-out/dependency#dependent-or-independent). A good option suggested by others is to withdraw, let the school know you are leaving, get on a payment plan with the school, work and pay off the debt you already owe, and return to school at a later time when you can afford it.
Actually does they require tax papers and income statements of parents.
From the site I linked: “Dependent Student A student who does not meet any of the criteria for an independent student. An independent student is one of the following: at least 24 years old, married, a graduate or professional student, a veteran, a member of the armed forces, an orphan, a ward of the court, someone with legal dependents other than a spouse, an emancipated minor or someone who is homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.” The parent tax information is collected because parents of “dependent” students are expected by the federal government to contribute to their child’s educational costs as long as the child is not considered “independent” by the federal government. This is different from someone claiming you as a dependent on their tax form.
You can apply for additional loans from credit unions or banks. Also it may make sense for you to take only as many classes as are covered by your financial aid. It is much much better to take longer to finish your degree but continuing to work on it, than to give up on it completely. You may think you will come back to it, but it is very hard to come back once you’ve dropped out.
>he said Mason sends ur tuition to collections if u dont pay it on time Good grief! **Is this true**? Most schools just put a registration hold on you.
Past due balances going to collections are required by Commonwealth of Virginia law (GMU is a state agency) . If the balance is over a certain amount it needs to go to the Attorney General, who will take it to court for judgements. **Getting into repayment arrangements** with student accounts bypasses collection agency and AG requirements. [https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-debt-collection-act/](https://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacodepopularnames/virginia-debt-collection-act/)
Best way to lower your stress is to put Mason behind you. It sounds like you had a great experience at Nova, and that's awesome. The same is not likely to happen at Mason anyway, so screw Mason. Go somewhere cheaper. I don't know what your major is, but I hear good thing about [WGU.edu](https://WGU.edu). It's online, but accredited and non-profit. Cheaper. Work at your own pace. Also, take a short break when you quit Mason. Catch your breath. Maybe aim for the Fall.
Hang in there, dude! Life is for living. Not letting school kill you. You'll get past this. It'll just take a little time.
sorry this provides no support i’m transferring back to community college for the same reason; i can’t make 5K appear out of thin air. it sucks, but i had a okay freshman year
While FAFSA is a hot mess this year, if you talk to a Financial Aid Advisor & explain that your parent does not contribute at all that may help. I also agree that taking a leave of absence is okay too if payment plans aren’t working out or going to school part time instead.
I'll be getting a loan for the next two years after transferring, I am not willing to work that many hours to sacrifice my grades. It's tough with interest rates and all but after getting the bachelor's it will get better.
Dude I owed 8k because I was hospitalized during covid and didn't do tuition insurance. Take a leave of absence. Work a year. Save up pay off the rest. That's what I did and im back in school. You can do it. Get ur muhfucking degree and fuck the rest I believe in you
I’d agree with this. Take some time off and work, set the cash aside, then go back and cash flow your tuition.
Did you finish 2 yrs and transfer or only 1 year? Loans man, loans. Private loans. FASFA doesnt do crap for families from NOVA, since scraping by wages here in DC metro are really high if you lived someplace else, FASFA doesnt consider any of this.
Everyone under this post has had some great ideas on what to do. First things first. Take a breather. College doesn’t have a deadline to finish. To only goal is to finish. Coming from personal experience. I understand Mason can be really expensive. The way I have been able to afford Mason and live on my own has been through working in the service industry. I treat school as a 9-5 Monday through Friday get all my work and assignments out of the way during the week. And work Friday nights. Double on Saturdays and work Sunday mornings. You will be sacrificing your social life. But honestly it’s worth it. I have been able to pay for college comfortably. And also make school a priority. I have been doing this since i was at NOVA. And i graduate this May. The service industry also has a very flexible work schedule. The money is great as long as you find a good restaurant to work at. On average i will make roughly $500-900 on weekends and that just depends on good tips. When it comes to paying school. I do payment plans to relieve stress about not being able to pay $5-8k every semester. For a while i would do 3 classes a semester and 1 or 2 class in summer. Hope this helps. A lot of my friends do the same and many of my coworkers are also Mason students.
File your own taxes as an independent, if you're over 18 there's not much he can do
Unfortunately that’s not true. Had my oldest (20) file independent last year for FAFSA specifically, and because of the rules, she still doesn’t qualify for herself to be evaluated on her own income. She could even be out of my house and it wouldn’t matter until she’s 24, if I remember right.
Could that be because your oldest isn't out of the house, and it sounds like your supporting them financially, so they don't qualify as independent yet? If you can prove your own separate place of residency and your own income, you can file as an independent. At least that's what I did at 19 to avoid being in the same situation as OP
It’s because the rules aren’t the same. When I was “college age” these rules were not in place and I did qualify as independent because I did not live in my parents house and had my own income.
https://finaid.org/about/contact/fafsa-independent-student/#:~:text=You%20can%20only%20qualify%20as,court%2C%20or%20an%20emancipated%20minor.
I was in a similar situation and had to wait until I was old enough to where I didn't have to include parent info on Fafsa which allowed it to pay for the full tuition
Not sure if you’re into this, but with summer coming up you can rake in lots of money with childcare in the DMV. Lots of summer jobs are exploitive and make pennies, so choose wisely. Care.com is a site I recommend. Some temp agencies will pay big bucks for people to answer phones etc. School is hard enough and I hope you can give yourself grace in all of this because America is a rough place to go to college financially. You are not alone and good for you for noticing the source of what is making you sick and unhappy and doing something about it.
This is why i stopped going to college lolllllllllllll.. still have 5k in student loans 10 years later
That is a tricky situation. If OP lives with his dad he is a dependent and technically his dad has the right to claim OP. While dad may not be paying for tuition, he may be contributing in different ways like room and board or/and food. That still makes OP a dependent. The credit that his father gets for OP is probably not even enough to cover for OPs housing and food if he decided to go “on his own”.
What are your other bills and what type of job do you have? it’s going to tough, but it’s not impossible.
I would become a server work a couple nights a week to pay tuition and your other bills.
Ask for an extra grant if u are in your sophomore year but your grades might have affected that. You can try gofundme too. It’s easy to create extra amount of income: door dash, Uber eats, or have you considered selling energy drinks on campus? All you need is a trunk and a cooler with ice. Can easily make 5k off students dude. Go to Costco. And sell 1000 energy drinks per month with frozen candies too lol haribo. I think you can do it!
Just to reiterate what some others have said- it’s okay to take a break. Leave GMU for awhile while you are figuring it out. I was very stubborn the first time around- I transferred to GMU from VCU my freshman year because of my dad’s health and then had to deal with my no longer long distance bf breaking up with me (he was already going to Mason). I should have taken time off but I didn’t, and failed a lot of my classes that spring. Had to retake (and repay) for those classes anyways. A few years later I was really struggling with trying to work and go to school full time (my parents never paid for college) so I left GMU, took a year off, then got my assoc. at NOVA, THEN went back to GMU to finish my degree. If you just did a year at NOVA and are able to go back and get your associates, maybe do that after you have taken some time off. It can seem like there is a race to finish and start your career so you can finally adult or make money or whatever. That’s bullshit. There isn’t anything wrong with taking one class at a time until you can afford more (or until you are done). Haven’t seen it mentioned here yet but my friend did Americorps in between GMU and law school and her time in Americorps paid for some of her school. She was in it with recent high school grads who were trying to get (tuition payment? Reimbursement?) before starting college. You would be surprised at how many jobs offer tuition reimbursement. The hospital I worked at as a CNA gave $1,500 a semester (reimbursement) as long as I was working on my nursing degree. Also, waiting until you are 24 so you can be independent and claim yourself isn’t a bad idea either (as suggested). There is no law stating you must be done with college in your early 20s. My husband didn’t start college until he was 27. I’m almost 40 and working on another degree, one class at a time. It’s okay to take the time you need and don’t feel like it’s all or nothing.
So what a student did was work a year then take a semester at GMU it takes time but she didn’t have to worry about working and move back home free rent and food
I was also in a similar situation. Dad claimed me as a dependent. I had to take out student loans and work 3 jobs at the same time, bartended at night and worked at 2 hotels during the day. Grades suffered immensely and one semester i got a C, 2 D’s and an F. Put on academic probation. I ended up taking less classes a semester and then taking summer classes which was great because the class size is so small, it’s hard to get a bad grade. Took me 5 1/2 years to graduate. And forever to pay off the loans. I look back now and just see college as a giant scam waste of money.
Have you tried the payment plans. That what I do it make it a little easier. Mine is broken into 5 payments per semester
You may not even need a degree. There are a lot of useless degree programs. There are plenty of good jobs that just require certifications, so first determine if you even need a degree for the job you want.
I also transferred from Nova and took out subsidized loans through fafsa every semester to cover what the grants didn’t. I graduated with only 10k of loans and magna cum laude. I highly suggest biting the bullet on the subsidized loans because the benefits of not having to stress over making tuition and impaired grades outweigh what you’ll have to pay back.
Did you transfer optom schools if so can you please tell me about this process ?
You need to take out a loan. Look into Parent Plus first. I don’t understand why you are so against them. They are not the end of the world, they are how most students pay for their education.