so upset at the state

I am almost 23 and I have been living on my own for the past 2 1/2 years. I went to college right after high school but ended up taking some time off and havent been able to or wanted to go back. I wasnt really committed at first and didnt really know what I wanted to do so it was a waste of money. But I have decided I want to get my degree in Radiology and go back this fall. I found a college I love that has a 2 year program and its only classes you need for your degree, not a bunch of BS classes that just cost money. So I've been trying to get everything together and find out about scholarships and stuff and part of that involves doing my FASFA for my lottery scholarship and grants. And now I am pissed at the state!
Despite my living on my own for so long and living basically paycheck to paycheck I cannot get help from the state, because it goes by my parents income which bumps me out of any need based programs...
"Students are classified as independent or dependent because federal student aid programs are based on the principle that it is the parentâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s responsibility to provide for their childrenâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji]s education. Your parentsâ€[emoji]8482[/emoji] ability to pay is considered when deciding your eligibility for financial aid, not whether they actually give you any money."
The only way I can be classified as independent is if I am pregnant or have had a child or if I am 24... Personally I think this is BS. I guess they think everyones parents will just hand them over $5000 for tuition every semester. Yeah right... my dad would not do that...
So instead of being able to get grants and get done with school and not be more in debt I'm going to have to take out student loans and borrow money and probably wont be able to take as many classes and will probably only be able to be a part time student and take longer to get done...
I'm so freaking upset over this! Looks like I may not be able to go back until after next march... which will be Summer or Fall of 2011... I could be almost done by then if I were to start now!

Ugh but who can I complain to? I know some of my other classmates are just as angry about it as me, but is there anyone that we can express that anger to?

I dont know if this will help you but try looking into OVR (Occupational Vocational Rehabilitation) I know that in my case it is something Im able to use and they help pay for schooling (most of the time all of it) plus give you living expenses if you go to school full time and are unable to work to pay bills and whatnot! If you can find them or a CareerLink they might be able to help you or atleast point you in a direction to get help. Also your local assistance offices might be able to help too. Those are areas I would check out and get in contact with to see about getting help with schooling. Im trying to go back to school right now and its a pain in the butt because I am on other peoples times and at the point where Im playing phone tag (mostly me tagging them constantly) to try and get the ball rolling so by summer time Id be able to atleast enroll in classes. Unfortunately there isnt much I can do with what I want to major in, history. My background restricts me in a lot of jobs Id be eligable for like teaching and stuff.

While it's unfortunate, hey, at least your parents are providing you the information. I got my paralegal certification after college. I started when I was 22, and my parents wouldn't give me their tax info So, I charged it to my credit card. Ah yeah. My 24th birthday was the happiest day of my life when I could go out and get student loans

Just think of it as an investment in your future. Hopefully, you'll be making better money when you're done, and in the long run, you'll come out ahead.

Originally Posted by rahma

While it's unfortunate, hey, at least your parents are providing you the information. I got my paralegal certification after college. I started when I was 22, and my parents wouldn't give me their tax info

So, I charged it to my credit card. Ah yeah. My 24th birthday was the happiest day of my life when I could go out and get student loans

Just think of it as an investment in your future. Hopefully, you'll be making better money when you're done, and in the long run, you'll come out ahead.

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Yeah they will give me their tax info... but not the money...
Thats the thing though, I already have one student loan plus a huge amount of medical bills, if it means me going out and getting more loans I wont be going back. I dont care how much of an investment it is, I just cannot have more debt on me right now.
I just cannot believe how unfair it is that I am trying to be an independent young woman and better myself but I cannot do that because of the state for another year....

Originally Posted by capt_jordi

I just cannot believe how unfair it is that I am trying to be an independent young woman and better myself but I cannot do that because of the state for another year....

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I had that type of problem, where I was an independent young woman and the SCHOOL I was trying to go to was screwing me over. I moved out of my parent's house at 18 and went to live with Rob. I had a joint bank account with him in 2005. I had my own job, attained in February 2006. I had my license changed in January 2006 stating I was a SC resident.

I tried to apply for in-county in-state residency rates at the college in August 2006, and they refused to charge me anything less than the out-of-state fees, which were over $750 per class. I fought with them, and they told me that because I was under 24, not married, no mortgage, and didn't have any children, they wouldn't accept my residency request, therefore no lottery assistance either. I went to three semesters, one class a piece, until I found it ridiculous and took time off after the Fall 2007 semester was done. Rob could go to school and take 2 classes for the price of my 1. I'm now behind on where I'd like to be at this time college-wise (my brother has since surpassed me, and he's 3 years younger...)

I re-enrolled in August 2009 and this time, while still under 24, I had a mortgage and was married - after providing my mortgage statement, car registration, some bill, my driver's license, and marriage license, I was FINALLY accepted as an in-state, in county resident and received lower class prices and was awarded $1800 in lottery assistance. I took 2 courses then, and am taking 4 now (lotto paid more than half...this is so much easier!)

I hope that you are able to find a solution. I know how frustrating school and the state can be. It's upsetting as well. Good luck!

That sucks!!!

In New Zealand, we do not have FAFSA or any kind of scholarship like that - we have to either pay our own way or get a student loan. Or get lucky with a scholarship if you are in a minority group and that is limited to a certain number of people.

I'm in the same boat... my parents make way too much for FAFSA yet because of the downturn they can't help me. I'm paying for this semester out of my own pocket. It's a great motivator to do well in my classes

Yea, I know exactly how it is My only advice is wait until you're 24, I wouldn't take out more loans, IMO it isn't worth it unless you're going to graduate school or if you're going to some private ivy league school. The reason I think that is, is because with the financial aid you should be able to go to any public school for free provided that your income is low enough..And if I were you I'd definitely wait another year to be able to go for free..
I know many people whose parents wouldn't pay for any of their college, but I also know a lot whose parents pay for the entire tuition and their living expenses

I was in a sort of similar situation, in terms of my parents income making me ineligible for student loans, but their refusal to help me left me a little hooped. I did some investigative legwork, and found that you can file a written appeal, signed by parents that they cannot/will not contribute. I then had to have a phone call and and in person meeting at the financial office at my university, but they ultimately removed my parents income from their equation as I could prove that they were not going to help at all....that was in 2000 and 2001 in Ontario Canada though, but point being at first glance, there was nothing I could do and the people I spoke to were clueless, BUT on detailed examination, I found the footnote that allowed the exception. And I ultimately was able to receive my student loan.

Originally Posted by ut0pia

I know many people whose parents wouldn't pay for any of their college, but I also know a lot whose parents pay for the entire tuition and their living expenses

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My parents always told me to get a scholarship because they weren't paying. By paying my own way though, it IS a motivator to do well Cant see myself wasting $430 on a class (my brother on the other hand failed two last semester because he "didnt feel like doing the work").

My aunt and uncle pay for my cousins tuition, which is around $30k a year. Plus her living expenses in an apartment with 3 other girls. They pay $9000 a year for this apartment (its $36000/yr apt, each girls' parents pay $9k/yr! You could have a nice house for that much!) All she does is party and drink there

I know that sucks. I had a friend in college who couldn't get a dime of assistance because he was under 24. He'd basically raised himself and I won't get into his personal business, but yeah no help was available for him. I'm the oldest of 5 kids and couldn't get help either.