Okay. So I REALLY need advice on getting grants for college. I had money for college, because my mom is a doctor and she owns her own practice, however we live in New Orleans, and she had to pay for repairs to her office and now 1/2 of her patients are gone. Bt we still had money for college. \nHowever... I HAD theses 2-3 COMPLETELY IDIOTIC friends that decided to steal my moms excuses, skip at LEAST 2 months worth of school and forge them in her name. When I found out, I immediatly dropped them from my life and told them they were going to get caught. They did... and now my mom's patients feel she is "irresponsible". She went through 4 years of college, 4 years of med school 4 years residency, and so many years in the air force to pay off her student debts. And because she has to close her practice... I have no college money. Sucks... I know... but CAN ANYONE HELP? PLEASE? Sorry to vent like that lol, just a little pissed!
207017
[You say you live in New Orleans and had to make office repairs, so my response below assumes that you were affected by the Hurricanes this past year.]\n\nYour FAFSA results are likely going to reflect your mother's income (a) before she made the necessary repairs to her office and (b) before your friends, um, sabotaged her financial security and your academic future.\n\nSchools are keenly aware of the effect that Katrina/Rita had on families in your area.  They understand that the losses that occurred during that time aren't going to be reflected on your 2005 tax returns (which is what you must refer to when filing the FAFSA), making most LA residents look more wealthy than they have become.  When you have applied for Financial Aid -- or while you are doing so -- write the school's Financial Aid Office a letter detailing both your past and your current financial circumstances. If your mother's savings have been depleted, say by how much. If her income has decreased dramatically, say that too (and quantify). The more information a Financial Aid Office has, the more equipped they are to increase your aid or grant an appeal for scholarship.\n\nThere are now a bunch of scholarships out there for students who were affected by the hurricanes.  A simple Yahoo! search for "hurricane katrina scholarship" yielded several legitimate ones when I checked.  Try www.fastweb.com, www.scholarship101.com, or check your high school (I recommend the library as well, but I don't know if there would be any books recent enough to list those specific kinds of scholarships... check the library anyway for other kinds, though).  You might want to get your FAFSA issue resolved first in the event that a scholarship organzation wants the results....
488343
I  don't know  if  there  is  any kind of    educational  grant  you might   be eligible to apply for,  but you would have to  find that out locally.       One thing you a re   right about....   nobody   is  ever  going to give  a   19 year  old  unemployed "college  student"  with   zero  credit   and  no collateral    an unsecured   loan.      Only  way I know  would be   if your parents, or   other   family  member or    family  friend could be persuaded to sign  a note   for you  at   the bank,  for    some not  too   huge  amount,   just to     get  you a leg up.   But   that  would mean   that if you defaulted on the loan, your co-signer becomes  responsible for paying   it  back.    Only you know     if   there is somebody in your life  who would be  willing to  take   a  chance  on you.     I hope   somebody  else might have   a  better answer  to offer.
525363
I see both sides.   It is just your first year, maybe you need to give it more time, and ask for help from the university to make it not so hard.    Maybe you need to switch the subject to something that you find interesting.  I am sure that she still loves you.  She is probably overwhelmed by her fear that you will struggle (maybe as she has as a single mom)   I am sure she just wants what is best for you.    I never got to go to college, and didn't want to when I was 18.  But I am 36 now and totally regret it.  I would almost give anything to go back and get that degree.  Besides I read that ANY college degree automatically gives you at least $23,000 a year in salary more than a person without one!  That's amazing.   You need to sit down with you and talk about the options.   Maybe you can come with some alternate ideas on how to succeed.   Maybe something else is going on with her?   If you haven't been around so much because of college, I am sure it's hard to deal with as well for her if you two were really close.   Try to get her to talk, and let her know that you understand her fear, that you won't get a degree.   Tell her that you want to figure out how to get that in some other way.
379643
I'm not a "kid"  I'm 53 years old and yes I remember when I could pay my own college tution.  Howevr such is not the case any longer.  The problem lies in the fact that not as many scholarships are offered any longer and they are no longer in the mega bucks denominations as they were prior to the late 70s because nowadays a $15,000.00 scholarship doesn't pay jack.  I know because I have a daughter in college right now and if it weren't for financial aid SHE would not be able to afford to go because there is no way I could afford to send her on MY salary alone.  As long as the cost of living keeps going up so will the cost of higher education, instructors have to be paid, as does the costs of running a college, electric bills, water bills, etc.  You're just a wee bit off base blaming financial aid.
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.
104909
depends on the state you live in. i don't know too much myself, but am learning as i go... i just registered for spring quarter today, and i know my financial aid for the 06-07 school year is going to cover everything only because i live at home, am raising a four month old lil boy, and quit both jobs so i could focus totally on school. my 05-06 financial aid has yet to be filed....had to order transcripts from the irs. check out my profile and email me and i will keep in touch with you, seeing how i am going to be doing a lot of research. like i said though, try looking up grants offered through the state you live in as starters.
61110
I was in your position once.  You apply for FAFSA and they give you a Pell grant (or not) based on parent's income (family's calculated contribution).  Recently, Bush cut from the budget of Pell grants, so you may not be as lucky.  You do not have to pay back student loans until 6 months after you have left school, but college is worth every penny and every loan I took out, so I hope you will make a way. If I could, then anyone can.
242337
I will pass on some advice I was given just a few years ago when I went to nursing school and had children in aprox. the same grades:  Chef Boyardee and Franco American are fantastic cooks!!!  Believe me, my kids hate the stuff now but we existed on it for the 2 years I was in the program. You will NEED to set up some time for yourself to study. What I did was set a bedtime 7:30 and all the time up until that was for me and the kids. After they went to bed I cracked my books, sometimes I could crack them while they were up but I never retained what I read. Don't be afraid to ask for help is also very important. Kentucky had some childcare grants---FREE that allowed me to afford childcare for those times when school was cancelled or had a half day. You can get some tips by getting in contact with the nursing dept. at the school you plan on attending and find out if such a program exists in your state. You are also better off getting the basic req.s out of the way first. You won't have time if they throw in some community service or clinicals after class. The hours are never what they tell you they are going to be. I also used multi colored pens to rewrite my notes at the end of the day so that important info stuck out.
212725
There is hope for you. You may not have to pay any money at all if you try several sites that are free. Also talk to your finicial aid counslor at school. There are grants at the college you will be attending. All you have to do is ask.
624124
I recently graduated and had scholarships and loans. \n\nOK.  The scholarship help that i needed was almost always prompt, helpful and successful.  Mainly it was just making sure the request had gone through and making sure the amounts had been disbursed.\n\nThe loan problems were a real pain. I always felt like I was being such an inconvenience to them and they did make me feel that way.\n\nThe main problem with financial aid is that students are not prepared and are not told in advance of turning in forms what information will be requested of them.   So I would go back three or four times with more info,  just to find out that something else was needed.  Forms signed by my dad, tax info, proof of this or that.  There should be a list of everything that might possibly be needed so that the student can check it off and be ready for anything!\n\nBut, then we rely on an 18 year old to be responsible for the forms and stuff, so good luck.\n\nBy the way, there was no one to complain to, I would complain to anyone that would hold still and they would just say, "I'm sorry".\n\nThanks for letting me vent!
677034
There are Federal loans, such as the Stafford, that tend to be lenient.  Sit down with one of your school's financial advisors/counselors and discuss this.  Federal loans don't cover the entire tuition if your school is a proprietary school (tuition starts at 24,000 and higher), but they  may accept payments.   If you've got the GPA, look into nurse-specific grants and scholarships.  I'm a nurse and this is what I did.  The only other thing I can think of is to find out from your bank if they offer student loans for folks with "iffy" credit.  Having nursing as a goal may make you a better risk.  Of course, now you're obligated to pass boards!  Yikes!
555469
Stay away from loans if you can.  Check out other options like...\n\nThere are tons of scholarships that go unclaimed each year. Many $400, $500 or $1000 scholarships never even get applied for because people think it's chump change and not worth applying for. Well, get a few of those $500 scholarships and it'll really make a dent in your tuition bill.\n\nDo a search on scholarships, search your major, your ethnic heritage, your town, your parents employers, your employer, hobbies, high school, local chamber of commerce/rotary/ lion's club etc. Left-handed? There is a scholarship out there for you! Older woman returning to school? There are scholarships out there for you. Do combined searches on more than one criteria "hispanic women aviation scholarships" etc.\n\nGo to the library and ask the reference librarian for a reference book on scholarships. They usually have more than one. There are all kinds of scholarships out there, you just have to start applying yourself and make it your summer career to send out letters everyday for scholarships. Good luck!
628880
.First of all, there is no such thing as a sponsor for college.  You can apply for scholarships.  Contact A&M and find out what scholarships are available for your intended major and apply for them.  I hate to burst your bubble, but unless you kick butt in sports--no one is going to offer you a free ride at a major university. I would suggest that you continue at the community college and earn an associate’s degree and then transfer over to A&M.  More then likely, you will have to take out federal student loans to help pay for your education.  Federal student loans are not bad.  I myself had to take 24K out to help cover the cost of my schooling.  You do not make payments while in school.  Once you leave or graduate from school, you have six months before you have to start repayment. If you are having trouble landing a good job, you can apply for forbearance or deferment.  That will give you a year without payments or reduced payments.  I struggled to get money up for school; after the first year at community college, I decided the debt was worth it to go to a real university.  There is no fairy god mother to help you; she's too busy gushing over the quarterback of the local high school football team.  It sucks that the jocks get the free ride, while people like us with the "A" average have to go into debt.  \nCheck out: www.ed.gov .  Find the section that is for students.  There you will find a link to the federal financial aid programs.  Good luck
56356
Then it's time for you to think different.  Many of us are drilled by our parents go to college so you can get a good job.  Ha! Now I drill into my five children's head start your own business.  I'm sure you think this is a joke, but it's not....email me at rcuevas34@yahoo.com\nThis is the best thing i ever did.  You can afford the start up cost and will get it back sooner than anywhere else I know of.  We have many people in college, or just graduated (one guy on our team just made 20,000 dollars in three months) Email me and I will help you.  Please let me know what State you live in when you email me. Best of luck to you...
105566
There is so much finacial aid available to students these days it is ridiculous. You should check out sites like salliemae.com for loan info or fastweb.com for scholarships that are nationally available or even school specific scholarships are available for viewing at fastweb. I have to say though, there is nothing wrong with getting an associates degree (or a good GPA) from a community college and then going on to a University. That's what I did and my tuition is usually paid for with free money (some loans though will be necessary as nothing good is free!) You should also start calling the schools you are interested in and ask them if you can talk to a finacial aid advisor. Hope this helps!!!
450346
Have you applied for student loans?  I, too was ineligible to receive grants because of my parents' income.  I paid for my undergraduate degree with hard work and student loans.  Pretty much anyone can receive a Stafford or Perkins loan, regardless of their credit history.  You should talk with the financial aid office of your school.  They can help you with the paperwork and inform you of your options.
391141
You could try getting a part time job or donating plasma (about $60/week for this through DCI biologicals). You could also apply for scholarships.  If you google scholarship search you will find hundreds of websites that let you search for scholarships based on criteria relevant to you, eg: GPA, volunteering, major, or heritage. There are also loans available through the government that have ridiculously low % rates.  Another perk with loans aimed at college kids is that you don't have to start paying them back until a certain number of months after you graduate. You could also try eating cheaper food.  I've found burritos at a grocery store me that are 4 for $1! :)  Ramen is also pretty inexpensive, but most people get tired of eating it after a while. Hope this helps and good luck!\nOh yeah, I just remembered something else!  If there are any sort of medical programs at your school, go look at the bulletin boards around where their classes are held.  There are always studies being done that pay you 10 - 20 dollars for an hour or two of your time.  The studies involve anything from filling out a survey to giving them blood to test for various antibodies.