Tuition

[cassandra]

I'm having tuition issues. The colleges I applied to offered me $11,000 dollars in loans and want me to come up with $8,000 dollars myself. My mom can't take out the extra loans for me because her credit is really bad and we're already on food stamps.

She says that I just can't afford to go to college. I'm waiting on a NROTC nurse option scholarship but I know that there's a chance I won't get it. If I don't than am I really not going to college?

You may suggest that I complete my first two years @ a CC but I already did that through dual enrollment. You may also suggest that I apply to my public state school. I did and the prices are ridiculous (stated above).

I never thought of joining ROTC for the money but now I need it and I don't know if ROTC will accept me.

Any advice? I'm scared that I will have nothing to do after graduating from high school.

 

[Gminchin]

I wouldn't join ROTC for the "money". Join to serve your country and become an officer. Another option is to join the National Guard in your state. A number of states offer free tuition to attend state colleges and universities if you are a member in good standing in their National Guard, and you also qualify for federal tuition assistance.

 

[cassandra]

Gminchin,

I'm not joining ROTC for the money! I applied before all of this mess. I simply said that I never dreamed that I would be in need of ROTC money. My problem now is that I don't know if I will get an ROTC scholarship and if I don't I won't be able to go to college.

 

[cassandra]

I did some research on the national guard. My mom told me that she doesn't want me to be in the army. I know that it doesn't make sense but she said she can tolerate me being in the Air Force or the Navy but not the army. That's why I never applied.

 

[paradoxer]

I'm having tuition issues. The colleges I applied to offered me $11,000 dollars in loans and want me to come up with $8,000 dollars myself. My mom can't take out the extra loans for me because her credit is really bad and we're already on food stamps.

She says that I just can't afford to go to college. I'm waiting on a NROTC nurse option scholarship but I know that there's a chance I won't get it. If I don't than am I really not going to college?

You may suggest that I complete my first two years @ a CC but I already did that through dual enrollment. You may also suggest that I apply to my public state school. I did and the prices are ridiculous (stated above).

I never thought of joining ROTC for the money but now I need it and I don't know if ROTC will accept me.

Any advice? I'm scared that I will have nothing to do after graduating from high school.

School cost = $19,000 Aid= $11,000 Cost to you = $8000
How much can you make over the summer/during school? What's a reasonable amount you could afford to pay? These are the sort of questions you need to evaluate. Maybe you need to work for a year so you can save some money. Either way I would call the financial aid office at the college and make sure they have done everything possible for you. Then you can decide the best course of action.

 

[Jcleppe]

I'm having tuition issues. The colleges I applied to offered me $11,000 dollars in loans and want me to come up with $8,000 dollars myself. My mom can't take out the extra loans for me because her credit is really bad and we're already on food stamps.

She says that I just can't afford to go to college. I'm waiting on a NROTC nurse option scholarship but I know that there's a chance I won't get it. If I don't than am I really not going to college?

You may suggest that I complete my first two years @ a CC but I already did that through dual enrollment. You may also suggest that I apply to my public state school. I did and the prices are ridiculous (stated above).

I never thought of joining ROTC for the money but now I need it and I don't know if ROTC will accept me.

Any advice? I'm scared that I will have nothing to do after graduating from high school.

When you applied to school did you fill out the FAFSA forms, if your family is on food stamps you would most likely qualify for most need based scholarships and grants.

Find out what the minimum amount of credits you can take in regards to the loans and any need based scholarsips and grants you can get. This would leave you time for a part time job. Check with the university to see if they have a work/study program that allows you to work on campus and have the money put towards your college expenses.

Working a part time job for about 15 hours a week during school and full time over the summer should be able to make up the difference.

I would start looking at any need based grants available soon, see whats out there and talk to the university about your options.

The suggestion of looking into the National Guard is a good one.

Can you attend a university that is close enough to home so that you do not need to live on campus, that would save $$ in your total college budget.

 

[Gminchin]

Each state also has an Air National Guard that provides outstanding educational benefits. Both Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve are very similar but Air National Guard has the additional state benefits that USAFR can't get.

 

[patentesq]

These are very good suggestions. In addition, start planning now for your sophomore-year payments. This means apply for anything and everything you can. Do not restrict yourself to the Navy. Army nurses do the same thing, I believe, as Navy nurses. And so do Air Force nurses.

Remember, it is not the end of the world if you have to take a year off and work before entering college. You may actually come out ahead given one year more to mature (many HS kids erroneously think college is like high school and end up having lower grades in their freshman year).

 

[Jcleppe]

The ARMY has a terrific Nurse Option.

I think people tend to dwell too much on specific brances. The truth is, you are joining the Military, be it Army, Navy, Airforce, Coast Guard, Marines. You are first and foremost in the Military, the branch is second.

Remember, you will be the one serving, not your mother or anyone else. My wife would have loved it if my son's had chose the Navy, they both wanted the Army. In the end the decision was theirs and we both support them 100%

If you are happy with what your doing, and have taken advantage of the opportunities presented to you, trust me, your family will support you. They may not jump for joy but they will support your decisions.

 

[USNA1982BGO]

I'm having tuition issues. The colleges I applied to offered me $11,000 dollars in loans and want me to come up with $8,000 dollars myself. My mom can't take out the extra loans for me because her credit is really bad and we're already on food stamps.

She says that I just can't afford to go to college. I'm waiting on a NROTC nurse option scholarship but I know that there's a chance I won't get it. If I don't than am I really not going to college?

You may suggest that I complete my first two years @ a CC but I already did that through dual enrollment. You may also suggest that I apply to my public state school. I did and the prices are ridiculous (stated above).

I never thought of joining ROTC for the money but now I need it and I don't know if ROTC will accept me.

Any advice? I'm scared that I will have nothing to do after graduating from high school.

Have you met with the Financial Aid department at the school that you applied to, as well as with the Nursing Department to see what scholarships are available to Nursing majors, low income students, first generation college students? How about going to your local hospitals and inquire if they are offering stipends to attend Nursing school with the stipulation that you work for them during and after you have completed your degree.
Have you considered earning an Associate's degree in Nursing (usually a 2 year program); then you would be able to practice Nursing and continue with your B.S.?
You should not be considering ROTC unless serving in the military is something you truly wish to pursue. A Nursing degree's curriculum is a very challenging program. When ROTC is thrown into the mix it is even a more challenging program to a college student.

 

[cassandra]

Thanks for the advice.

I know that it makes no sense for my mother to allow me to sign up for the AF & Navy but not the Army. The things is, I'll only be 17 as of tomorrow so it's her choice.

I've been working minimum wage since august and I saved up $2,000 (I bought a laptop and I use some money for the city bus). That $2,000 isn't even enough for the summer (they offering me $1400 and the rest is up to me to pay).

You suggested that I call; I did and there's nothing they will do for me. I will call again though and ask if I can have work study. I was thinking that maybe I can have a work study job and another job? I did get the $5550 grant from financial aid . That's why I don't have to take out more loans. I only got one scholarship and I am praying to God that they put it on my account (two of the schools are being especially difficult).

I will talk to me mom. It's either I consider the Army or stay home for a year. I already have two years of college under my belt but I want to finish the last two/three consecutively.

 

[cassandra]

Have you met with the Financial Aid department at the school that you applied to, as well as with the Nursing Department to see what scholarships are available to Nursing majors, low income students, first generation college students? How about going to your local hospitals and inquire if they are offering stipends to attend Nursing school with the stipulation that you work for them during and after you have completed your degree.
Have you considered earning an Associate's degree in Nursing (usually a 2 year program); then you would be able to practice Nursing and continue with your B.S.?
You should not be considering ROTC unless serving in the military is something you truly wish to pursue. A Nursing degree's curriculum is a very challenging program. When ROTC is thrown into the mix it is even a more challenging program to a college student.

Thank you! these are some very good suggestions and I never thought of them. I will make a few phone calls to see who can help me.

 

[paradoxer]

Summer

That $2,000 isn't even enough for the summer (they offering me $1400 and the rest is up to me to pay).

You suggested that I call; I did and there's nothing they will do for me. I will call again though and ask if I can have work study. I was thinking that maybe I can have a work study job and another job? I did get the $5550 grant from financial aid . That's why I don't have to take out more loans. I only got one scholarship and I am praying to God that they put it on my account (two of the schools are being especially difficult).

I will talk to me mom. It's either I consider the Army or stay home for a year. I already have two years of college under my belt but I want to finish the last two/three consecutively.

Did they offer you loan for summer? You should be able to have summer Pell grant and Stafford loan if you are at least half time. If you don't have both of these awards ask why not. It doesn't sound like you borrowed any money during your dual enrollment which means you should have loan eligibility for summer.

 

[cjs]

I see from your other posting that you are attending FSU next year so I assume you are a Florida resident. The number that you are using for the costs per year probably include Tuition, Room and Board, books, transportation, insurance and personal costs. The true cost for tuition, room and board and books is around around $15,000. Tuition for a FL resident at FSU is around $5,000 per year. Your dorm will run you around another $5,000. You are not required to do a food plan and this is one place where you can save.
Were you awarded Bright Futures? If you are hoping to be awarded a ROTC scholarship, then you should be in the range for Bright Futures. That will pay for a portion of your tuition. Depending on what you were awarded will depend on how much tuition is paid. It will either be $94 per credit hour or $125 per credit hour.

The FA office at FSU is great to work with, I have many friends whose kids go there.

You need to carefully read your FA package that you received from the college. Was part of the loan package a Parent Plus Loan? If so, then your mom will need to apply and be approved.

If you mom qualifies for food stamps, then your EFC should be on the lower side, which should mean that you qualify for some grants.


Good luck.

 

[paradoxer]

Also PLUS loan option

The FA office at FSU is great to work with, I have many friends whose kids go there.

You need to carefully read your FA package that you received from the college. Was part of the loan package a Parent Plus Loan? If so, then your mom will need to apply and be approved.

If you mom qualifies for food stamps, then your EFC should be on the lower side, which should mean that you qualify for some grants.


Good luck.

If your mom applies for the PLUS loan and is not approved you can have an additional $4000 in Stafford loan that you can use to fill the gap.

 

[cjs]

Did they offer you loan for summer? You should be able to have summer Pell grant and Stafford loan if you are at least half time. If you don't have both of these awards ask why not. It doesn't sound like you borrowed any money during your dual enrollment which means you should have loan eligibility for summer.

Depending on where they went to high school, the dual enrollment was covered by the state. I know our county does it as well as paying for AP tests.

 

[cassandra]

I'm not %100 percent sure on FSU because I can't afford that school. The only thing I am getting from them is the $5550 (financial aid) & loans. I have been looking for apartments so I would cut down on the room and board costs. Thing is, the estimated cost is about $18,000 and what they're offering me is nowhere close to that. I included everything & called it tuition because I can't live without it if I move up there. I need books, transportation, room & board...

Trust me. I called and asked if there was a mistake and they explained my aid package with me. They expect me to come up with the rest on my own.

BF is the scholarship I was talking about. I am waiting for them to update that on my account. If they do than I wouldn't have to take out more loans than they're offering me.

 

[sember5]

The national guard reserve is a great way to go. My DS was tired of waiting for ROTC scholarship. Just signed up today. They pay tuition to state school and everything else has a way to get covered. Only downside is that he has to defer his school start to second semester. No biggie. Plus he gets paid $1400 a month for 3 months of basic this summer and gets his AIT done. Will take rotc in school and have 4 years of service under his belt when he graduates. In the end, it works out much better than the scholarship route.

 

[cassandra]

sember5,

Thank you thank you thank you! I'm not to sure what the national guard is because my JROTC instructors never mentioned it. The way your son is doing is seems like a great idea. He may have to defer college by a semester but that's better than a whole year.

It's not what I wanted but I will definitely contact them and get the process started. I see that you need eight years of service; If ROTC counts as four than that's just great!

I can't wait to tell my mother! I'm a little bit relieved

 

[Jcleppe]

sember5,

Thank you thank you thank you! I'm not to sure what the national guard is because my JROTC instructors never mentioned it. The way your son is doing is seems like a great idea. He may have to defer college by a semester but that's better than a whole year.

It's not what I wanted but I will definitely contact them and get the process started. I see that you need eight years of service; If ROTC counts as four than that's just great!

I can't wait to tell my mother! I'm a little bit relieved

I would double check but I believe the 8 year service obligation starts after you graduate and commission. Still, a great opportunity.