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I just shake my head...

post #1 of 24
8/27/10 at 10:20pm
Thread Starter 
So, I have a kid who just entered college. Last winter we applied for Federal Funds (FAFSA) as every senior (at least here in WV) is instructed to. Based upon our middle to lower middle class income, my son was awarded several thousand in Federal money.

In WV we also have the "PROMISE" scholarship, based on good grades. He received this - it alone pays nearly all tuition to a public college or university.

He also received a "higher education" grant, whatever that is, but it's Federal money as well. I think.

He attends our local university. Cost is not extreme. University receives my kid's tuition directly from the source. We never see the money. UNTIL...

His tuition is paid in full, books, too - and he GETS A CHECK FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REFUNDING WHAT WASN'T NEEDED FOR TUITION. HUH???

HOW MUCH MONEY could our government SAVE if they simply required the return of all over-paid grants balances? My son is effectively making money off the government because of our incomes. He justified it by stating he will repay the government many times over throughout his working life. (And he probably will)

This is baffling to me. (I'm a republican, for goodness sake!) On his behalf, I shouldn't complain. But, oh the waste! This is one kid, out of how many?
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post #2 of 24
8/27/10 at 11:20pm
No no no!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL!

I am in college and that refund check is paying for vet bills LOL!!! In fact I got a refund check the night before Bear got sick. I used that & the money I had saved from the last refund to save Bear's life. Even when I don't have a sick cat I take that money and buy cat supplies, usually in bulk so I am set for a while. I am broke as a joke, my car is broke now too. Gotta get a loan so I can get it fixed & get a job.




That aside, I agree that it is pretty silly. I think it may be intended for transportation/food, but really, how many college kids are going to use it for that? It should be changed, but I hope they keep it until I am in a better situation lol.
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post #3 of 24
8/28/10 at 8:02am
So vet bills are a valid use of Federal education money, huh?

Actually, I could make the case (as was mentioned) that those funds are for your general living expenses while attending college, and vet bills are certainly an expense while you're attending school that, were you not attending school, you might be paying with money you earned.
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post #4 of 24
8/28/10 at 8:32am
This kind of stuff comes under the category of TMI, too much information. I would just as soon not know all the ways our tax dollars get misused.
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post #5 of 24
8/28/10 at 9:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
Actually, I could make the case (as was mentioned) that those funds are for your general living expenses while attending college
Other countries provide funds for students to live on. I have a Swedish friend who pretty much survives on this (and spends it on more ridiculous things than anyone here has listed). Of course those other countries have higher taxes and more people that are actually getting higher educations...
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post #6 of 24
8/28/10 at 9:46am
You don't have to take the entire amount of the loan they "give" you each term/quarter/semester. You can option only to take a specific amount. Grants, as far as I know, don't have to be paid back. I'm hoping I can score some scholarship money to help offset my education costs rather than relying on sudent loans the entire time. Next year I may go ahead and set up payments to start working on the interest.
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post #7 of 24
8/28/10 at 11:33am
Honestly, I wouldn't argue. Just accept it. Basically the government doesn't know if your child is living at home, dorm, etc. I remember the "extra expenses" that came up unexpectedly. Gas money for field work, etc. And there is always the "oh, this wasn't on the list of required materials, but your really should have this". It's amazing what they "forget" to put on the list of needed things.

This money is already reserved for college students and they can't use it for anything else this year. Is your son living at home for now? If so, use it to get a prepaid credit card for extra school expenses.

BTW, what school is your son attending? Just curious. And, I wonder if that works for "non-traditional" students in WV. I would love to go back to school to get a degree that I actually would enjoy. I may have to look into that.
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post #8 of 24
8/28/10 at 12:54pm
Id keep it to and use it for expenses. Hes going to have to pay it back anyways.
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post #9 of 24
8/28/10 at 1:03pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3CatsN1Dog View Post
Id keep it to and use it for expenses. Hes going to have to pay it back anyways.
...with interest. It's rare that I have more than three or four hundred dollars left over anyway. Even that money still goes to things like ink cartridges for the printer, and other miscellaneous items that I may need to buy as the term goes along.
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post #10 of 24
8/28/10 at 1:05pm
Ugh, that drives me crazy. It is awesome that he gets the aid he needs, don't get me wrong, but there are so many cases where they should be helping but don't. I am 21 and can't get aid because my father makes too much. Mind you, he isn't going to help me out, and I live on my own at the other end of the country from my parents. I think they need to reconsider how they handle these things, so that they can help more people.

I sometimes feel like they just help those that mess up- get pregnant, and you get paid to go to school here. Get married really young, and your parents income no longer matters. Drives me nuts!
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post #11 of 24
8/28/10 at 10:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
So vet bills are a valid use of Federal education money, huh?

Actually, I could make the case (as was mentioned) that those funds are for your general living expenses while attending college, and vet bills are certainly an expense while you're attending school that, were you not attending school, you might be paying with money you earned.
As someone who goes to college full time and works full time, and receives the same check. It is exactly what I use it for. I only make $10/hr, and I work 40 hours... but it is barely enough to pay my rent, lights, gas and food...

My school does not offer boarding as it is a community college so I must rent a normal apartment. To clarify I use the refund generally for gas, and for food out of things I listed. Over the course of the entire semester.
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post #12 of 24
8/29/10 at 3:51pm
when you are in collage most people have other expenses other than just school and books. There are not only things that need to be purchased such as paper and calculators and usually a computer is needed but there is also living expenses like food lodging gas and such. I think that even if you get a scholarship having a little extra money so that you don't have to work as much is needed. I think the extra money helps and is needed in most situations even if they get there school paid for.
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post #13 of 24
8/29/10 at 3:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by laceface View Post
Ugh, that drives me crazy. It is awesome that he gets the aid he needs, don't get me wrong, but there are so many cases where they should be helping but don't. I am 21 and can't get aid because my father makes too much. Mind you, he isn't going to help me out, and I live on my own at the other end of the country from my parents. I think they need to reconsider how they handle these things, so that they can help more people.

I sometimes feel like they just help those that mess up- get pregnant, and you get paid to go to school here. Get married really young, and your parents income no longer matters. Drives me nuts!

im pretty sure you can go into the financial aid office and fill out some kind of paper that allows them to reconsider for situations like that.
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post #14 of 24
8/29/10 at 7:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by 3CatsN1Dog View Post
Id keep it to and use it for expenses. Hes going to have to pay it back anyways.
Well, like he said, over his lifetime of working he will pay the government back. But these are grants; gifts, pure and simple. He does have to keep up his end of the "make good grades" bargain.

I guess since I am so new at this "send a kid to college" thing, I don't realize all the extra expenses that may come about.

Don't get me wrong: I thank God his education is paid for. Then the guilt sets in, for folks like laceface, who can't get assistance.

Oh, and calico - he attends Fairmont State University.
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post #15 of 24
8/29/10 at 8:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
So vet bills are a valid use of Federal education money, huh?

Actually, I could make the case (as was mentioned) that those funds are for your general living expenses while attending college, and vet bills are certainly an expense while you're attending school that, were you not attending school, you might be paying with money you earned.
The cat is required therapy and a study aid.
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post #16 of 24
8/30/10 at 4:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by threecatowner View Post
Then the guilt sets in, for folks like laceface, who can't get assistance.
She can legally emancipate herself from her parents, thus making them no longer financially responsible for her. I wish I had done this after HS, I had moved out a few months after and at that time had absolutely nothing to do with my father.
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post #17 of 24
8/30/10 at 11:29am
Quote:
Originally Posted by threecatowner View Post
Well, like he said, over his lifetime of working he will pay the government back. But these are grants; gifts, pure and simple. He does have to keep up his end of the "make good grades" bargain.

I guess since I am so new at this "send a kid to college" thing, I don't realize all the extra expenses that may come about.

Don't get me wrong: I thank God his education is paid for. Then the guilt sets in, for folks like laceface, who can't get assistance.

Oh, and calico - he attends Fairmont State University.
What laceface needs to do is to move out and then file for independence from her parents. This is easier said then done. I know from experience because I fell into the same category for many years myself. Once she does this she cannot be filed as a dependent on their taxes. I merely ended up waiting out the grace period because I wasn't sure I wanted to go to school. So I was in the workforce from 20-24. I went to college for 2 years and failed many times before deciding it wasn't for me... at the time. I tell you nothing like working your ass off for nothing for 4 years will get you riled up to go to school. At 24 years old your parents can no longer claim you on taxes so by default you are independent. Then you only have to file YOUR taxes in to get financial aid.

But like many have said before... save the money. Buy him a computer, or is he taking any art classes? Art supplies for a class can cost up to $1000 for a semester... keep in mind these things are not included in tuition for those classes. Music classes are no better with the care of the instrument, etc.

Maybe someone along the lines one of his classes will do a trip or something and the money will come in handy there.
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post #18 of 24
8/30/10 at 11:42am
Way way back in the day (almost forty years ago, yikes!), I was fortunate enough to get a couple of scholarships which pretty much covered tuition and dorm (assuming I worked during the summer and 10-15 hours a week during the school year). But, even then, one of the scholarships covered a little 'extra' - for such things as public or other transportation (I had to go between several campuses). Even the most frugal student will encounter necessary expenses not strictly covered in room & board.

It does look odd at first glance, but I suspect most students end up using that money very wisely.
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post #19 of 24
9/3/10 at 8:29am
It depends on your state. In TN you education should be provided by your parents. So FAFSA does not acknowledge my need for funding because my dad makes too much as well. I do not live with them. I am not claimed by either of them. I have lived on my own for 4 years, My dad will not help me with tuition, and my mom does not have the means. So yeah it sucks. I get to wait until I am 25 to go back most likely.
As for the extra money, I got $500 back my freshman year, and I used it to not work as many hours to actually have time to study! Along with those school supplies do not last you through the end of the semester! You will need extra stuff, you will need to buy stuff for projects that you did not know about at first. All sorts of random expenses come up throughout the year.
Also food, meal plans, gas, car maintenance, emergencies, all sorts of stuff.
Honestly I did not spend my extra money on anything unneeded and I was still back to working overtime to pay my bills before the end of my first semester. And because of working so much (until 2 am every morning and then class at 9) my grades dropped too far to keep my scholarships.
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post #20 of 24
9/3/10 at 10:55pm
College education and financing it is tricky, plain and simple, in the grand ol' U S of A.

My parents did not support my higher education upon high school graduation. Legally emancipating myself, since I had already turned 18, was not plausible. Therefore, I have to wait approx 4 years to be able to show appropriate paperwork to declare I was/am financially independent of my parents and allow them to realize my parents did not claim me as independent on their taxes at the time.

It was a LONG and draining process. But I did it and attended an excellent school when I went. Even though I went some time after high school, I still did go. It probably turned out for the better at the time anyway because they did not consider my test scores for my application -- which was good because I generally test poorly and my SAT's were no exception.

While I had to leave college after a year, I recently returned and am still doing it on my own. At 31. It is difficult, but it is possible. Atleast I will get my degree, right? Even if I am 40 when I graduate (which is what it feels like right now).

Finally, because of my situation I get a decent amount of aid. You can return what you do not need. That is an option. I do not partake in this option as I live off-campus and much of that money is needed throughout the semester
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post #21 of 24
9/5/10 at 10:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by laceface View Post
Ugh, that drives me crazy. It is awesome that he gets the aid he needs, don't get me wrong, but there are so many cases where they should be helping but don't. I am 21 and can't get aid because my father makes too much. Mind you, he isn't going to help me out, and I live on my own at the other end of the country from my parents. I think they need to reconsider how they handle these things, so that they can help more people.

I sometimes feel like they just help those that mess up- get pregnant, and you get paid to go to school here. Get married really young, and your parents income no longer matters. Drives me nuts!
I ran into the same problem when I was in school, so I asked my father to stop claiming me on his taxes, and I started filing my own tax returns. I had been working and going to college for a year (away from home), and received the loans and grants that way.

I definitely needed the extra money after the tuition was paid, btw, I'm glad that wasn't taken away!
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post #22 of 24
9/7/10 at 4:54pm
I received grants and scholarships to pay for my education. I did receive some money back. This went to pay my rent (on campus, or a room off campus... definitely not enough to live on my own without roommates), gas, parking, books, etc. My parents did not help me out after high school. I was on my own. This included living arrangements. It's difficult to work full time and go to school full time. There is a cap on the number of units a student has before they cut off aid. They expect you to graduate after taking a certain number of classes, so you are not offered aid forever.
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post #23 of 24
9/7/10 at 6:05pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Going Nova View Post
I received grants and scholarships to pay for my education. I did receive some money back. This went to pay my rent (on campus, or a room off campus... definitely not enough to live on my own without roommates), gas, parking, books, etc. My parents did not help me out after high school. I was on my own. This included living arrangements. It's difficult to work full time and go to school full time. There is a cap on the number of units a student has before they cut off aid. They expect you to graduate after taking a certain number of classes, so you are not offered aid forever.

The Government expects you to graduate in a decent amount of time, meanwhile you need to survive. They understand you are probably studying full time, while earning half as much as you were before - IF that.
It is pretty much implied that that money is for Tuition, books, School supplies AND to help with living expenses. The whole idea of getting financial AID and grants is to study financially independently of your family, and considering that a big chunk of American kids go to School outside of their hometown, it goes without swaying that the only way to achieve that is with some help from the government with living expenses too.
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post #24 of 24
9/11/10 at 4:08pm
When I graduated college my end cost was a bit under 10 grand.

I blanch when I see what it costs now...its 10 grand a year at a state funded college! Grants can only go so far so my son will be riddled with loans for years to come. And, their education is no better than what I received.

One of the gals I work with has a grad student teaching a course but has to pay full price for the class. Sorry, IMO if a class is not taught by a full fledged professor there should be a HUGE discount.
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