I would like to obtain an associates degree but I always seemed to be right over the line of making too much to qualify for any financial aide. And the same for my husband, but we cannot ever afford the college tuition and books.  I was told that I could get financial aide on my own because I'm disabled and on SSD.\nDoes anyone know anything about this? Is there any truth to this?
122479
If you're married then you have to report both your income and your husbands on the FAFSA. Have you checked with your state rehabilitation agency? They often offer job training for a new career where your disability won't matter. You can also apply for scholarships, both at the University and through fastweb.com. Talk with the financial aid office at the University about a college access loan. You can also apply for a Sallie Mae loan. You can get a CAL or Sallie Mae loan regardless of income. I've included some links below that may help. Good luck!
624975
You should always put your needs and the needs of your family first.  It is very nice to try and help out but not on your account or your families.  Why don't you try fundraising or something.  I'm sure there are people out there who would be willing to help out, especially if that person is a good person and they know of his/her situation.  There are also programs to help with financial aid.  Do some research first before you do anything drastic like that.
595123
I am in the same position right now as you.  I have been a stay at home mom for 7 years now and have put my education on the back burner.  Now that 2 of my children are going to be in school full time it's time to go back and further my education.  I don't want to spend a lot of time going back to school, so instead of going to a regular college I am going to go to a trade school where I will just be learning the Trade and by pass all of the other stuff.  There are a lot of options for getting a degree in less than two years.  Medical assisting, dental assisting, massage therapy, billing insurance and coding, pharmacy technician, x-ray technician, paralegal, court reporting, legal assistant etc.  I hope everything works out for you.  It's tough when your out of school for so long and then go back. You'd be surprised at how much of the basics you forget and have to learn all over again.  It's worth it though to better yourself.  Best of luck!
661222
It is possible (common, in fact) for students to receive Financial Aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that covers *not only* their tuition but *also* numerous other educational expenses including off-campus housing.  Essentially, your school's Financial Aid Office must establish a "Cost of Attendance" (a.k.a "COA" or "budget") for each and every applicant.  This COA will determine the maximum amount of financial aid that you can receive.  Any COA will at least include tuition + fees -- but most schools also include some additional expenses.  Regulations allow a school to include the following items:\n\n-- tuition & fees\n-- room & board (whether it be on- or off-campus)\n-- a "reasonable amount" for books, supplies (in some cases, a computer), transportation, miscellaneous expenses\n-- dependent care\n-- study abroad expenses\n-- loan fees\n-- employment expenses for co-op study\n\nCOA items are added/removed at the school's discretion, and not all schools will include all of these items. Some schools will allow you to request the addition of any of the above items that apply to you (i.e. if you need a computer, you can ask them to add it and they will do so [or not] at their discretion).\n\nIf you think this might enable you to attend school full-time, begin applying to schools and for financial aid (ideally, simultaneously). Your first step should always be the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  For the fastest processing time, file it online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov (use only the official site from the Dept. of Ed).  Beware of other FAFSA sites; they tend to be scam companies that charge you to file an application that would otherwise be free). If you truly do need assistance with the form, free help is available at your schools, local high schools, libraries, and online (http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/completing_fafsa/2006_2007/index.html ).\n\nYour school will use your FAFSA results to determine your eligibility for federal aid, state aid and, often, instutitional aid. Among the types of aid that you will be considered for:\n\n* Federal Pell Grant (for the neediest applicants)\n* Federal Stafford Loan \n* Federal SEO Grant (if your school is authorized to administer this type of aid)\n* Federal Perkins Loan (if your school is authorized to administer this type of aid)\n* Federal College Work-Study Program (if your school is authorized to administer this type of aid)\n* State grants/loans (usually for needy students who attend a school in the state in which they reside)\n* Institutional grants/loans (a wide variety of aid awarded based on a wide variety of criteria, including need, merit, scholastic acheivement, community service, etc.).  Check with your schools to see what programs they offer to their applicants.\n* Private scholarship aid: this can come from any number of sources.  For some ideas, try your local library, church, organization/associations near you, your former high school, your future schools' Fin Aid offices, or the internet:\n\nhttp://www.fastweb.com\nhttp://www.srnexpress.com\nhttp://www.scholarships.com\nhttp://www.scholarships101.com\nhttp://apps.collegeboard.com/cbsearch_ss/welcome.jsp\nhttp://services.princetonreview.com/default.asp?RUN=%2Fcollege%2Ffinance%2Fscholar%2FscholInterview%2Easp&RCN=auth&RDN=7&ALD=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eprincetonreview%2Ecom\nhttp://www.collegeanswer.com/paying/content/pay_free_money.jsp\n\nNow, generally, grant aid isn't enough to cover all of your tuition costs AND housing/fees/books/food.  As such, you may need to resign yourself to borrowing student loans.   This isn't a horrible option -- in fact, about 2/3 of college students borrow loans to fund some or all of their education.  The average undergraduate leaves school with about $19K in debt.  While they probably aren't happy about it, they manage: in fact, the most recent national default rate was reported as 4.5%, which i
292369
well, you probably mean financial aid?  spelled aid not aide.  I assume your grades arent that great, so that avenue is out, maybe you are poor or a minority, you could try that card.
214494
im doing the same thing now. the financial dept at the college you want to go to can help you. i got a full pell grant and i qualify for student loans as well.42 years old with 2 kids. good luck
548140
You can get your school to declare you as an independent, but it requires more forms. It's kind of hard. I'm sort of in the same situation as you. I'm in touch with my parents, but get no monetary support from them. I couldn't get declared as an independent because I do have contact with them. It's worth a shot though. Just go talk to your financial aid office at the school, and they can explain it in detail. They're pretty helpful if you just take the first step and ask for some help.
444520
I have lived in your shoes. I worked to get myself through college as a single mom.  We were broke for so long, it was hard.  There were many times when quitting school seemed like a great idea and I was pushed to do it.  \n\nI stuck it out and today I have a masters degree.  I have a good job and the ability to get an even better one.  My children lived through the times when going to McDonalds was not in the budget.  Today they enjoy Caribbean cruises and dine out all the time.  We live in a rather nice home and have enough disposable income to supply the "extras".  \n\nI did get re-married, however I finished my degree first.  I am so glad that my children have seen first hand the value of education. \n\nStick with it, focus on one semester at a time.  You CAN do this!!
461995
I was in this situation myself.  Since you are short on money, I would recommend that you try completing the forms yourself.  See below for a link to a site that was useful to me.  Prepare for a lot of homework.\n\nAs a warning, there are fees which must be paid with these applications.  In addition, one of the forms require that you show that you and your husband are able to support yourself financially.  If you meant literally that you have no money, you may need an additional sponsor (parent, friend, etc.) to help you.\n\nGood luck.
413589
Statements you are making are conflicting....\n\nYou are financially independent.  You make enough to have a decent living but you still live at home and you have very limited budget for college.\n\nThis does not make any sense.  \n\nIt seems you have to set/reset your priorities.  You can't have EVERYTHING.  If it is your desire to get an education, then cut down on some of your liesure activities.\n\nMy suggestion is to start with community colleges.  Tuitions are a lot less.  You can get an AA degree and it will substitute for the first 2 years of the 4 year college.
376531
If I were you, I'd go back to school. First of all, to be honest, $12.00 is no where near what you could make with even an Associates Degree under your belt. Second, a degree is like an insurance policy. You can use it to advance with your current employer, or get a better, stable job in an in-demand field. \n\nYou can go part time, or full time. And you'll be surprised at the number of "older" students you see in your classes! In fact, some schools offer special programs specifically for older students. It may be worth it to ask about them when you call the admissions office. \n\nMost students pay for their education through a combination of loans and school given, need-based aid. You'll fill out a form called a FAFSA (you can google this), which is sent to the schools you're applying to. They use it to calculate your aid. \n\nI highly recommend that you go to a reputable, brick and mortar campus. Most employers frown on the online programs. Yes, there are some reputable online programs (those tied to real, brick and mortar campuses), but online schools are remarkably expensive. You mentioned cost as a factor, so I don't recommend an online program for you unless you absolutely, positively can not attend classes in person. \n\nYou can save money, and get a great education, by attending your local state school. As an in-state student, you're already paying lower tuition. \n\nMany students of your age chose to attend a school that will grant them an Associates Degree after two years of study. They then go on for their Bachelors Degree, if they feel it is necessary. The best place to get an Associates is at your local community college. They are amazingly cheap, you don't have to take any sort of test to get in, and the education offered is a fantastic value. \n\nIf you chose to go back to school, and your goal is to make more money than you are now, try to major in something career-focused. In fact, there are a lot of careers which require only the Associates Degree as the ticket to entry. \n\n- Lots of careers in the medical field only require a 2-year degree. Nursing, radiology, medical assistant, physician's assistant, laboratory technician, several others. \n- Many office-related careers require an associates. Try office administration: administrative assistant, legal secretary, marketing assistant, sales operations. \n- Information technology. There are some IT jobs that require only a 2-year degree, like computer support technician. \n- Accounting: Also some in accounting, like accounts payable processor, claims administrator. \n\nAnd here are a bunch of others, all of which hire directly out of associates programs (although for many, you'll do an internship/apprenticeship while you get your associates)\n\n-Automotive technology\n-Electrician\n-Childcare\n-Engineering technician\n-Funeral director\n-Paralegal\n-And a lot in the agricultural sciences, such as turf management (graduates of strong turfgrass management associates programs can work on a golfcourse and earn HUGE money), aboriculture, forestry, fruit tree management. \n-Drafting\n-Law enforcement\n-Fire safety\n\nI've attached a really good link on this topic. It deals with occupational outlooks for careers where an associates degree is the ticket in.\n\nGood luck. Again, 36 isn't too old at all. It simply means that you may want to major in something very career-focused, since your goal is to get in, get the degree, and get a good job.
330261
Fill out a FAFSA - even if you don't qualify for aid the government loans have the best interest rates.  There are also private lenders like www.edfinancial.com.\n\nAnd, last but not least, there are scholarships.  There are scholarships only available for adult students, ones only available for certain professions (there's a ton for nursing and teaching) and then just general scholarships.  Talk to the financial aid department in your school of choice and they can possibly help you find these scholarships.  There's also a website www.fastweb.com which lists a whole bunch of scholarships.\n\nI'm also going back to school this fall (nursing) - I hope this helps!
413685
Hello there,\n\nYou still do have many options, but i would need to know more information in order to accurately give you a suggestion..\n\nYour in a situation that alot of students find themselves in these days with such high tuition rates..\n\nWhat i would have to do is take a closer look at your situation and then advise you from there..\n\nI work with Student Aid Lending, we are a nationwide title IV lender administered by the Department of Education... I would be happy to assist with your federal student loans... \n\nTake a look at my yahoo 360 profile.. There is alot of helpful information there for anyone to view.. You can also find the direct link to my website..\n\nhttp://360.yahoo.com/my_profile-hluduhmi...\n\nIt is actually a VERY SIMPLE process, it can be completed in 10 minutes over the phone and internet...\n\nFeel free to call or email me at any time.. Im available at all times to answer any questions or concerns you may have..\n\nI hope this helps!\n\nJason Fry\nStudent Aid Lending\n1-800-964-0642 ext 114\njasonf@StudentAidLending.com
54622
Check with your financial aid department.  There should be tons of help for you.
587621
As non-merit financial aid becomes less available, universities are asking for more proof of income and assets.  It is to your advantage to provide the documentation because if as you state, your family assets are less than they believe, the financial aid department will put you into consideration for university based aide to make up the difference financially for you to attend their school if you are their desired choice.\n\nAs an example, I went to Xavier University and could not qualify for much non-merit based financial assistance because I owned property and had investments.  However, because they really wanted me to attend and felt I would be an asset to the university, they totaled up my merit based scholarships, the in kind assistance and loans, compared that to the tuition and fees and my asset availability and investments, found a net difference in my favor and offered me additional funds to attend their school.  I could have attended a publically funded state school just with what I had because their tuition for in state students was so much lower and I had been accepted.  They have now to verify "estimates" before they can consider you for real money.\n\nI really think they are trying to help you here with their own additional university based scholarships, honor loans and assistance.
548014
In stead of taking in Home Study, why don't you go to regular school? I believe there is No, and will Never be financial aid package or scholarship offered because the basic requirement for these ones is full time student.\nYou can visit here for some useful information (not for U.S but good information) http://www.icslearn.co.uk/
320848
yes i agree with you I think the laws should be strict.  but like you said you are a broke, poor college student (I am too) yet we do not qualify for this assistance. The question is why?  I tend to believe some people might get it because of their skin color.....sorry but that what i think.  If they were denied this assistance, they could go an report the government for discrimination.  I go to school and fund my education independently - through loans, scholarships, etc.  I do not qualify for grants, state or federal.  why?  I am broke, poor!  then there are these people that go to school that have kids and get everything payed for.  (I am 23)  I have often thought that maybe my responsibility has not payed off, if i spread my legs and had babies, then i could live in a free apartment, get foodstamps, and get my college education payed for, and wear nicer clothes than everyone else, even people who actually do work. it's sick.  i think a lot of people take advantage of it all