Award letter isn't enough

[las_03]

DD is in a pre-nursing program at a local private college. She went ROTC last year but this year decided if she becomes a Navy nurse would rather join after graduation. We have only now gotten her award letter since this was a recent decision. This is what it says for each quarter:

 

TEG Grant Nur Init >=0905 $1,148

College Work Study $500

Pell Grant $533

Stafford Subsidized Loan $875

Stafford Unsubsidized Loan $1,333

TOTAL $4,389

I think it's terrific she got the TEG grant (not sure what it is, but grants don't have to be paid back, correct?), the Pell Grant and the subsidized Stafford. We do not qualify for a Parent Plus because of a BK and there are NO family members who can assist us.

 

The total direct cost for an undergrad living in a dorm including room and board, books and tuition is $22,131 leaving us $8,964 short. She has had credit for almost two years, but they are low limit cards that are usually run up but she pays on time. We don't know her scores and can't even afford the $35 to pull them this week.

 

Where do we go from here? Talk to FA aid office...do they usually have private loan suggestions or is it up to us to find them? She hates going in there. Absolutely no privacy, you have to spill your guts in front of everyone in line and she can't ever get past the clerks in the front office to speak to a counselor. How does she get to talk to someone that can really give her some advice? Is this sort of setup common in schools these days? She says they take you more seriously if the parents go in, but I can't take off time from work. Should I call for an appointment for her? Thanks for any input.

[LynnInMN]

DD is in a pre-nursing program at a local private college. She went ROTC last year but this year decided if she becomes a Navy nurse would rather join after graduation. We have only now gotten her award letter since this was a recent decision. This is what it says for each quarter:

 

TEG Grant Nur Init >=0905 $1,148

College Work Study $500

Pell Grant $533

Stafford Subsidized Loan $875

Stafford Unsubsidized Loan $1,333

TOTAL $4,389

I think it's terrific she got the TEG grant (not sure what it is, but grants don't have to be paid back, correct?), the Pell Grant and the subsidized Stafford. We do not qualify for a Parent Plus because of a BK and there are NO family members who can assist us.

 

The total direct cost for an undergrad living in a dorm including room and board, books and tuition is $22,131 leaving us $8,964 short. She has had credit for almost two years, but they are low limit cards that are usually run up but she pays on time. We don't know her scores and can't even afford the $35 to pull them this week.

 

Did she talk to FA to get additional unsub since you were turned down for the Plus Loan???

 

Since the college is local, does she have to live in the dorm??

 

Where do we go from here? Talk to FA aid office...do they usually have private loan suggestions or is it up to us to find them? She hates going in there. Absolutely no privacy, you have to spill your guts in front of everyone in line and she can't ever get past the clerks in the front office to speak to a counselor. How does she get to talk to someone that can really give her some advice? Is this sort of setup common in schools these days? She says they take you more seriously if the parents go in, but I can't take off time from work. Should I call for an appointment for her? Thanks for any input.

[las_03]

Thanks Lynn for your help!

 

Lynn said:

Since the college is local, does she have to live in the dorm??

i agree that it seems pretty obvious but we have some serious family issues. After the BK we had to rent a MUCH smaller house. I want her out of here for her sake. I plan on moving out with the 2 youngest boys after the older one finishes h.s. next spring. I am a frugal person but it's best that she not live here with the current situation. Sorry I can't comment more. Long story.

 

In doing some checking, though, she probably is eligible for up to 7,500 in Stafford loans? Right now it's only showing 6,624 for the year. The difference would help.

[shawbee]

Sometimes hospitals will help with tuition etc. if the student will agree to work for them for a year or two after graduation. Some states such as mine have help at the state level set aside for nurses because of the shortage. I am a nurse myself, though not practicing currently and have 3 kids in college. I would have her talk to the financial aid department. They usually will give help with acquiring private loans if the student has good credit and parents don't qualify. The last two years of my nursing program I worked part time as a senior nursing student and got paid quite well and actually worked for that hospital when I graduated. If your financial situation has changed since the fafsa info, many times financial aid will re-evaluate. Good luck.

[las_03]

Thanks shawbee. I was actually surprised she got some sort of nursing grant as a sophomore before even getting into nursing school. I'm hoping she had a chance to go into FA today. It's a crazy setup, though, I don't know what you have to do to get past the guards!

[shawbee]

Any update on your daughter's situation?

[las_03]

Thanks for asking about any updates.

 

She's working 2 jobs now and has been having trouble getting into financial aid office when they are open. Went twice only to be told everyone is in a meeting. Of course they are very busy with new freshmen coming in. She told them she was about 2,000 short and they didn't seem concerned. They responded to a telephone call and she got a message saying to apply for a private loan on the sallie mae website and that it would be best to have a cosigner. We won't be any help for her on that, her grandparents have passed away, and my brothers/sister have their own kids to get in college.

 

She and I are going to sit down tonight and try applying in her own name and see what happens. Last weekend for life-guarding...working double shifts all 3 days.

 

Funny thing is she is getting all these ROTC emails now about applying for a scholarship, "enjoying the total college experience" while they pay for most of her fees. She was fortunate to get that scholarship last year, but the time committment was huge compared to what they say in their emails. She was supposed to sign the official committment paperwork before sophomore classes start this fall, but decided not to. Her unit was across town at another university. Somedays she had to make 3 trips there back and forth, often at night after mandatory study hall through some of the worst areas in this metro area. She would have to be up at 4:30 to get there in time for drill, then back for 11:00 am military science class and then study hall 5 days a week from 6:30-9:30. Had classes at her university inbetween. She also worked retail part-time and the kid was just worn out and getting depressed. Please, I AM NOT being disrespectful of the military...dad was WWII vet and brother career Navy. In fact, DD has considered joining up after she graduates, it just wasn't working out for her in this situation. It can be a wonderful opportunity for many students, especially if they attend the university where their unit is.

 

Good news is that I did get a Prosper loan for $2,000 to help with books and back to school stuff for our kids. I feel very fortunate about that. I'm trying to be very careful how I use it!

[BBQ123]

She might be able to qualify for SallieMae's Signature Student Loan without any co-signer. I was able to qualify with only 1 year of history without a co-signer (but had a co-signer because with a co-signer I got a lower APR).

 

You can borrow up to the total cost of education with that loan.

Edited September 4, 2006 by BBQ123

[las_03]

Thanks. The financial aid office suggested that, too. She tried on her own and was denied. I just tried as a cosigner but with the BK knew it would also be turned down. Classes started yesterday. She is going to try and get an appointment with FA on Thursday. This is depressing.

[las_03]

Financial aid said tough luck, figure out how to get some money because this is all you're going to get. Definitely not very helpful. I think I'm going to have to go up there and see what's up. She's short about 1,500 for the quarter. I paid $500 for her books. Sounds like she can't get hospital money until she's accepted into nursing school.

 

I really thought she's entitled to more Stafford money since we didn't qualify for the Parent Plus. Can someone please tell me what she's entitled to? I've looked online and thought I knew. I think part of the problem is she's one to two couses short of being declared a sophomore. She had to take some naval science courses at the other university which didn't count for her school.

 

It's going to be hard to come up with $1,500 extra by the end of the year. Not very much, but definitely hard for us.

[Tools McTool]

Las 03, if your brother is career Navy he could join Navy Federal Credit Union for $5 and that would allow you to join. You could apply and most likely recieve a LOC and a CC with them that would prolly cover the $1500 you need. I think it is absolutely your best option.

NFCU is VERY bk friendly. Check out the BK friendly creditors section.

 

Good luck and let us know.

My wife is in nursing school right now and the money we get from the feds is not enough so we are seeking private loans as well. It's tough sometimes.

 

Tools

[TxQuiltGirl]

Las 03, if your brother is career Navy he could join Navy Federal Credit Union for $5 and that would allow you to join. You could apply and most likely recieve a LOC and a CC with them that would prolly cover the $1500 you need. I think it is absolutely your best option.

NFCU is VERY bk friendly. Check out the BK friendly creditors section.

 

Good luck and let us know.

My wife is in nursing school right now and the money we get from the feds is not enough so we are seeking private loans as well. It's tough sometimes.

 

Tools

 

 

This is LAS's 20 yr old daughter, and she is a full time student, and not in the Navy. I'm not sure this would be a solution ...

[Tools McTool]

The Brother could join, sign up the mother. Members can sign up members so the mother could sign up the daughter.

Maybe the mother could get the LOC or CC and pay for the daughter.

 

Why wouldn't it work?

 

Tools

[Tools McTool]

...I AM NOT being disrespectful of the military...dad was WWII vet and brother career Navy.

[cotterpin]

The Brother could join, sign up the mother. Members can sign up members so the mother could sign up the daughter.

Maybe the mother could get the LOC or CC and pay for the daughter.

 

Why wouldn't it work?

 

Tools

 

It would.

 

Almost any CU will accept family members as applicants. Very good idea if las is willing to go that route.

 

las, have her look into getting a job at a local health facility (VNA, Hospice, Hospital etc) most of those offer tuition assistance, even for part time cafeteria workers, ESPECIALLY if they are going into nursing

[Tools McTool]

VA hospitals offer to pay back student loans for nurses as well. Not in full, but worth looking into.

 

Tools

[TxQuiltGirl]

The Brother could join, sign up the mother. Members can sign up members so the mother could sign up the daughter.

Maybe the mother could get the LOC or CC and pay for the daughter.

 

Why wouldn't it work?

 

Tools

 

 

I missed that part. I guess it would depend on if the OP feels comfortable enough to approach her brother with that idea (I personally would not, but that's just me).

 

Whatever she does, short of robbing a bank, I hope that they are able to work this out.

[cotterpin]

You would feel funny about asking your brother to get you into a CU?

 

It's done all the time by family members. I got into my CU by my mom who offered to get me an account there.

 

There are many reasons someone may want to use a CU over a bank, including lower interest rates, lower fees etc

 

I didn't realize there could be shame in that. No one is suggesting las tell her brother everything and ask him to cosign a loan, simply "sponsor" her to be able to open an account.

[Tools McTool]

If someone's comfort level keeps their daughter from finishing college, shame on them.

 

I'd ask even if my brother and I hated each other. If we hadn't spoke in years I'd still ask. Do a risk/benefit analysis. What is the risk? He says no. The benefit? Family does not have to struggle and daughter finishes school.

Easy choice for me.

 

Tools

Edited September 13, 2006 by Tools McTool

[angeleyeskkhr]

If someone's comfort level keeps their daughter from finishing college, shame on them.

 

I'd ask even if my brother and I hated each other. If we hadn't spoke in years I'd still ask. Do a risk/benefit analysis. What is the risk? He says no. The benefit? Family does not have to struggle and daughter finishes school.

Easy choice for me.

 

Tools

 

 

I think that is a personal choice/decision. I would NOT ask certain family members for help with my or DD's education. While my grandmother was in the hospital do to a drug overdose (it's unclear whether she really meant to try to kill herself or it was an accident)....Anywho, while she was in the hospital these certain family members made racist comments right in front of me (about Hispanics/Puerto Ricans) and refused to acknowledge my fiance (Puerto Rican)...They continued with comments about how I was lucky DD looked "white" and how "beautiful" she was (said in a way that ya KNEW they would not have said that nor would they have even acknowledged her existence if she were "darker skinned"...).

 

I would not ask them for help unless it was a life/death situation.

[Tools McTool]

That's a shame, if you could end up with a daughter who didn't get to finish school because of that.

Buisness is buisness.

I take care of my family first, personal feelings aside. My pride does not get in my way.

 

YMMV, of coarse.

 

Tools

Edited September 13, 2006 by Tools McTool

[angeleyeskkhr]

That's a shame, if you could end up with a daughter who didn't get to finish school because of that.

Buisness is buisness.

I take care of my family first, personal feelings aside. My pride does not get in my way.

 

YMMV, of coarse.

 

Tools

 

 

I think you missed the point. It's about more than pride, much more.

 

Now I would not stop HER from asking if she wanted to...But I would tell her what I knew they would more likely than not say (these are the same people are extremely selfish and self-centered anyway, so they expect people to jump for them, give them things, etc...but can't be "bothered" to help others).

[Tools McTool]

Poop on them if they won't help and for their racist views. I'm not saying you should ask them for anything or involve yourself with them in any way.

I'm just saying if it was the only choice, I'd make the sacrifice. Given another one I'd say "Poop on you guys".

I got your point, I think. I just would never want to say "You could have finished school, but I didn't want to _______ ." (Fill in the blank)

I'd make the sacrifice, then ask her forgiveness later.

 

Let's all hope we never have to find any of this crap out for ourselves!

 

OP, I hope you get what you need and I think Navy Federal would prolly lend it to you.

Tools

[TxQuiltGirl]

You would feel funny about asking your brother to get you into a CU?

 

It's done all the time by family members. I got into my CU by my mom who offered to get me an account there.

 

There are many reasons someone may want to use a CU over a bank, including lower interest rates, lower fees etc

 

I didn't realize there could be shame in that. No one is suggesting las tell her brother everything and ask him to cosign a loan, simply "sponsor" her to be able to open an account.

 

 

Where or when did I say there was any shame in it? I said that I personally would not ask my BROTHER to help. I did join my parent's credit union, but that's quite different IMHO than asking a brother.

 

And ya know, it may surprise some folks to know that I would prefer to keep business and family life separate - everytime I messed up something at the credit union, they ran to my parents. Then there's the possibility of the brother saying no or asking a lot of embarassing questions - what if he doesn't know the OP has filed for BK?

 

Yeah, a child's education is important, but not everyone is willing to ask for help - whatever that help may be. And the OP may try it. I just said that I PERSONALLY would not do it.

 

Why is that such a bad thing? Financial matters are an extremely personal choice. It's up to everyone to make their own decisions.

[cotterpin]

I think that is a personal choice/decision. I would NOT ask certain family members for help with my or DD's education. While my grandmother was in the hospital do to a drug overdose (it's unclear whether she really meant to try to kill herself or it was an accident)....Anywho, while she was in the hospital these certain family members made racist comments right in front of me (about Hispanics/Puerto Ricans) and refused to acknowledge my fiance (Puerto Rican)...They continued with comments about how I was lucky DD looked "white" and how "beautiful" she was (said in a way that ya KNEW they would not have said that nor would they have even acknowledged her existence if she were "darker skinned"...).

 

I would not ask them for help unless it was a life/death situation.

 

 

How any of your post applies to the topic is beyond me, so lets get back on the topic, which is helping las find ways to help her kid finance her education.

 

The initial suggestion was for a family member to sponsor las to become a MEMBER of a CU, not for las to ask her brother to cosign ask for a loan etc. I don't know how that was contrived from the post, but in case anyone is wondering why the suggestion was made:

 

http://www.ncua.gov/CreditUnionDevelopment/aboutCUs.html

To join a credit union, you must be eligible for membership. Each institution decides who it will serve. Most credit unions are organized to serve people in a particular community, group or groups of employees, or members of an organization or association.

 

Tools was simply suggesting that since NFCU has been BK Friendly in the past, if las isn't already a member with them she may be able to join them thru her brother. It will not cost her brother anything, all he does is prove that she is eligible for membership as a family member. Any time you join a CU, you must prove eligibility.

 

So let's get back to the topic of helping the OP find creative ways to finance the kid's education and get off this tangent, OK?