Comments on: How To Pay For College When You’re On Your Own http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html The journey of one young family out of debt and into building wealth Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:36:11 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Robbie http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-2853 Robbie Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:49:47 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-2853 The difficult thing about going back to college is not going to be the cost of tuition/books/fees. I will have to quit my job, which is quite good, and lose my health insurance benefits, which are great. And then, I have to pay to live. It is recommended that we do not have a job during our program, which will include the summer semesters. Paying for housing, transportation, food, utilties, insurance, etc. seems like an insurmountable feat. If I have to borrow the money for all (or most) of that during the years I am in college, the price of tuition will be the least of my worries. The difficult thing about going back to college is not going to be the cost of tuition/books/fees. I will have to quit my job, which is quite good, and lose my health insurance benefits, which are great. And then, I have to pay to live. It is recommended that we do not have a job during our program, which will include the summer semesters. Paying for housing, transportation, food, utilties, insurance, etc. seems like an insurmountable feat. If I have to borrow the money for all (or most) of that during the years I am in college, the price of tuition will be the least of my worries.

]]> By: Simone http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-2800 Simone Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:08:39 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-2800 I just became an independent student. I have no help financially and because of my location can not really get a job unless i have a car. I have a 16,000 tuition bill that i have to pay out of pocket and have applied for many scholarships without success. I have also exhausted all of my options as far as getting more aid from my school. I currently do not get in state tuition although i have lived in MA for a year because i can not prove that i lived here. So for the rest of my school year, although i live in the state i go to school in, i have to pay out of state. What can i do besides go to the military in order to get more money to pay for college? I just became an independent student. I have no help financially and because of my location can not really get a job unless i have a car. I have a 16,000 tuition bill that i have to pay out of pocket and have applied for many scholarships without success. I have also exhausted all of my options as far as getting more aid from my school. I currently do not get in state tuition although i have lived in MA for a year because i can not prove that i lived here. So for the rest of my school year, although i live in the state i go to school in, i have to pay out of state. What can i do besides go to the military in order to get more money to pay for college?

]]> By: rose http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-2794 rose Thu, 06 Aug 2009 01:30:42 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-2794 I don't think that parents SHOULD pay for school but be careful about how easy you make it sound. Many students will run into logistics that will hold them back. I graduated 13/456 students in high school, scholarships and the whole package freshmen year. Half way through sophmore year, my parents cut me off financially. By this time I had two paid internships but no job because they wouldn't allow me to work while in school. I found that if your parents still claim you as dependent, and make enough money on FAFSA to pay for school, the student will only be awarded PLUS loans which can't be taken out without a parent cosigner. If you don't have enough credit history, even with a credit score above 700, you won't be able to take out loans. And believe me working every night after class is hard work: on the other hand, the money wasted in the "other charges" one pays for a semester doing school half paced is also expensive. Do-able (I'm graduating in 4 years with 2 degrees and am already enrolled in grad school) but harder than you make it sound. I don’t think that parents SHOULD pay for school but be careful about how easy you make it sound. Many students will run into logistics that will hold them back. I graduated 13/456 students in high school, scholarships and the whole package freshmen year. Half way through sophmore year, my parents cut me off financially. By this time I had two paid internships but no job because they wouldn’t allow me to work while in school. I found that if your parents still claim you as dependent, and make enough money on FAFSA to pay for school, the student will only be awarded PLUS loans which can’t be taken out without a parent cosigner. If you don’t have enough credit history, even with a credit score above 700, you won’t be able to take out loans. And believe me working every night after class is hard work: on the other hand, the money wasted in the “other charges” one pays for a semester doing school half paced is also expensive. Do-able (I’m graduating in 4 years with 2 degrees and am already enrolled in grad school) but harder than you make it sound.

]]> By: Thomas http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-2213 Thomas Wed, 22 Apr 2009 20:00:55 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-2213 Hello, I was a student at a very good school in my state but unfortunately i got to party crazy and got really bad grades throughout my freshman year. I no longer can get any loans because of the grades i've had and i cant afford to pay 10 k out of my pocket every year to go to a school... right now i cant afford to pay anything. My parents have cut me off and wont give me any money whatsoever and im having a very difficult time finding a job at the moment and even if i did manage to find one i still wouldnt be able to afford schooling unless i went to a technical school for two years (which is fine by me) i guess i'm just asking if theres any other suggestions for me? I have looked into the navy and could get money for school but i honestly just dont want to be moved away from my home.... i love where i live and dont want to be sent anywhere else. If i manage to find a job soon i could save up enough to go to a technical school but i would be extremely broke and I honestly dont even know if it'd be doable. My wish would be to go back to the school I was at and get myself back on track with better grades and whatnot, I guess im asking if you know of something like a loan you might know about that would supply me with enough money to go to a good school and that my parents wouldnt have to sign off on. If you do know of anything i could be doing besides going into the armed forces to help pay for my college PLEASE let me know because right now that seems to be my only option and i really dont want to... Hello,
I was a student at a very good school in my state but unfortunately i got to party crazy and got really bad grades throughout my freshman year. I no longer can get any loans because of the grades i’ve had and i cant afford to pay 10 k out of my pocket every year to go to a school… right now i cant afford to pay anything. My parents have cut me off and wont give me any money whatsoever and im having a very difficult time finding a job at the moment and even if i did manage to find one i still wouldnt be able to afford schooling unless i went to a technical school for two years (which is fine by me) i guess i’m just asking if theres any other suggestions for me? I have looked into the navy and could get money for school but i honestly just dont want to be moved away from my home…. i love where i live and dont want to be sent anywhere else. If i manage to find a job soon i could save up enough to go to a technical school but i would be extremely broke and I honestly dont even know if it’d be doable. My wish would be to go back to the school I was at and get myself back on track with better grades and whatnot, I guess im asking if you know of something like a loan you might know about that would supply me with enough money to go to a good school and that my parents wouldnt have to sign off on. If you do know of anything i could be doing besides going into the armed forces to help pay for my college PLEASE let me know because right now that seems to be my only option and i really dont want to…

]]> By: * College Savings and Investing With 529 Plan and ESA http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-2174 * College Savings and Investing With 529 Plan and ESA Wed, 08 Apr 2009 02:07:18 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-2174 [...] at Million Dollar JourneySeven Ways To Fund College Without A College Savings Fund at Frugal DadHow To Pay For College When You’re On Your Own at One Caveman’s Financial JourneyYou don’t have to pay for your child’s college [...]

]]> By: That One Caveman http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-1906 That One Caveman Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:59:17 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-1906 Chelsea, By you own statement, it appears you realize that you have choices you can make that could make your educational journey easier, but you don't want the drawbacks. With all decisions, there are consequences. A consequence of joining the military is the possibility of active duty deployment. A consequence of choosing a different school is the possibility of different opportunities. A consequence of choosing your degree is the potential low starting salary. There are many schools across the nation that offer the same degree you're pursuing. You could go to an in-state school and save a great deal of money. Search for schools in your home state (or a state that has a deal with yours - there are many opportunities like that) and see about transferring credit. That is only one possibility of many. You talk like you've painted yourself into a corner, but there is always a choice. Your school's name and GPA will only matter for the first few years after you graduate. After that, employer's look at your resume and the demonstration of your skills. I went to a highly-respected state school whose tuition is usually around $10K per year and I found a job after graduating that only paid $33K. Within 5 years, I was making more than twice that amount because of my skills - not where I got my degree. One way or another, you're going to have to make a sacrifice. If you stay at that school, you'll continue pay out of your nose (with no guarantees of a job after graduation anyway). If you move, you may not be as happy or you may not get the same education. If you join the military, you may be ordered to do things you don't feel you want to do. In the end, you have to decide which sacrifice to take and live with it. Thank you for contacting me and I'm sorry that there is no easy answer. Unfortunately, having to make life-affecting decisions and accepting the consequences is part of being an adult. Good luck! Chelsea,

By you own statement, it appears you realize that you have choices you can make that could make your educational journey easier, but you don’t want the drawbacks. With all decisions, there are consequences. A consequence of joining the military is the possibility of active duty deployment. A consequence of choosing a different school is the possibility of different opportunities. A consequence of choosing your degree is the potential low starting salary.

There are many schools across the nation that offer the same degree you’re pursuing. You could go to an in-state school and save a great deal of money. Search for schools in your home state (or a state that has a deal with yours – there are many opportunities like that) and see about transferring credit. That is only one possibility of many.

You talk like you’ve painted yourself into a corner, but there is always a choice. Your school’s name and GPA will only matter for the first few years after you graduate. After that, employer’s look at your resume and the demonstration of your skills. I went to a highly-respected state school whose tuition is usually around $10K per year and I found a job after graduating that only paid $33K. Within 5 years, I was making more than twice that amount because of my skills – not where I got my degree.

One way or another, you’re going to have to make a sacrifice. If you stay at that school, you’ll continue pay out of your nose (with no guarantees of a job after graduation anyway). If you move, you may not be as happy or you may not get the same education. If you join the military, you may be ordered to do things you don’t feel you want to do. In the end, you have to decide which sacrifice to take and live with it.

Thank you for contacting me and I’m sorry that there is no easy answer. Unfortunately, having to make life-affecting decisions and accepting the consequences is part of being an adult. Good luck!

]]> By: Chelsea http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-1903 Chelsea Wed, 10 Dec 2008 05:03:44 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-1903 Hello. I am a college student currently taking out 45 grand a year to pay for college. I am a double major in classics and english lit, and will no doubt be starting my publishing career at a measly 30 grand or so a year. My parents make too much money for me to get a cent from the school or the government. While I completely agree with the fact that I appreciate my experience at school much more than others who are having their way paid, I will be living as a college student well after my bachelors degree because my monthly bill will be astronomical (1600 or so). In all reality, your options dont work for everyone. I work 30 hours a week and am taking 17 credit hours this term. The time Im spending working is really fruitless, as it goes towards things such as rent, the cable and the electric etc. I do not spend my money partying as others might and most of the time barely keep my head above water every month. Its unnerving to think that Ill still be living this way 10 years after my graduation. I would consider the military, but it seems to me that a degree in english lit and classics would do me absolutely no good there. I would never use them, and while some may be in these degree programs to "just get a degree" I am not. Id like to use the education I am paying so much for. If I wanted to only "get a degree" I might choose a more rewarding one when it comes to income and not simply doing what I love. I wouldnt mind working "part time" I guess you could say to serve my country and help foot the education bill, but every option seems to have the minor possibility of going overseas. Going overseas surely takes me away from NYC/Boston or any other big publishing city. Are there any more ideas for me? I get tiny amounts of money from the scholarships I find online, and while I know every little bit helps, it sometimes feels fruitless. I just wanted to know if there were any more resources I havent tapped in to. Im soon to be 180,000 in debt and making 30 a year. (Before moving up, obviously) Im at a good school (University of Miami) and dont want to give that "name brand" up for a state school education, which seeing as Im not a Florida resident, would really save me very minimal money in the end while losing the experience at this school that I love. Help?? Hello. I am a college student currently taking out 45 grand a year to pay for college. I am a double major in classics and english lit, and will no doubt be starting my publishing career at a measly 30 grand or so a year. My parents make too much money for me to get a cent from the school or the government. While I completely agree with the fact that I appreciate my experience at school much more than others who are having their way paid, I will be living as a college student well after my bachelors degree because my monthly bill will be astronomical (1600 or so). In all reality, your options dont work for everyone. I work 30 hours a week and am taking 17 credit hours this term. The time Im spending working is really fruitless, as it goes towards things such as rent, the cable and the electric etc. I do not spend my money partying as others might and most of the time barely keep my head above water every month. Its unnerving to think that Ill still be living this way 10 years after my graduation. I would consider the military, but it seems to me that a degree in english lit and classics would do me absolutely no good there. I would never use them, and while some may be in these degree programs to “just get a degree” I am not. Id like to use the education I am paying so much for. If I wanted to only “get a degree” I might choose a more rewarding one when it comes to income and not simply doing what I love. I wouldnt mind working “part time” I guess you could say to serve my country and help foot the education bill, but every option seems to have the minor possibility of going overseas. Going overseas surely takes me away from NYC/Boston or any other big publishing city. Are there any more ideas for me? I get tiny amounts of money from the scholarships I find online, and while I know every little bit helps, it sometimes feels fruitless. I just wanted to know if there were any more resources I havent tapped in to. Im soon to be 180,000 in debt and making 30 a year. (Before moving up, obviously) Im at a good school (University of Miami) and dont want to give that “name brand” up for a state school education, which seeing as Im not a Florida resident, would really save me very minimal money in the end while losing the experience at this school that I love. Help??

]]> By: Jane http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-1279 Jane Mon, 08 Sep 2008 01:27:07 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-1279 Under the Military you should also mention the 5 military academies which are free with a 5-6? (that is what it was when I was considering it) year post education commitment as an officer. The Airforce, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine each have one. Under the Military you should also mention the 5 military academies which are free with a 5-6? (that is what it was when I was considering it) year post education commitment as an officer. The Airforce, Army, Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine each have one.

]]> By: Becky@FamilyandFinances http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-1137 Becky@FamilyandFinances Sun, 31 Aug 2008 02:38:24 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-1137 I just had to comment on your statement that a summer job won't cover you for an entire year. My little brother just graduated from college in 2005. He spent his summers working long hours pouring cement, and he made it through college with very little (we're talking maybe $500/yr) help from my parents and NO student loans!!!! It *can* be done :) I just had to comment on your statement that a summer job won’t cover you for an entire year.
My little brother just graduated from college in 2005. He spent his summers working long hours pouring cement, and he made it through college with very little (we’re talking maybe $500/yr) help from my parents and NO student loans!!!!
It *can* be done :)

]]> By: That One Caveman http://www.thatonecaveman.com/2008/08/how-to-pay-for-college-when-youre-on-your-own.html/comment-page-1#comment-1125 That One Caveman Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:40:41 +0000 http://www.thatonecaveman.com/?p=462#comment-1125 Donna - It's sad to see people waste others money, but when you just hand kids everything that seems to happen eventually. - Dawn - I'm glad this was helpful to you. Good luck with going back to school! - Gypsie - Thanks for the information. Not being formerly-military myself, I'm not familiar with all the benefits. If you have any more, let me know! Donna – It’s sad to see people waste others money, but when you just hand kids everything that seems to happen eventually.
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Dawn – I’m glad this was helpful to you. Good luck with going back to school!
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Gypsie – Thanks for the information. Not being formerly-military myself, I’m not familiar with all the benefits. If you have any more, let me know!

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