So it is senior year of high school and many are scrambling to win scholarships to help dent their lists of debts that they will be creating when they pack up and set off for college, I am among them. I opened my financial aid program from UC Davis and was suprised to see that I did not qualify for even a penny of financial aid and the only loans that I basically qualify for are for my parents with extrememly high interest rates. The budget cuts in education loans and budgets really pushed my buttons, for my spring break I worked about 40 hours in week with a wage of $7.50 an hour. I applied for many scholarships and grants, but unfortunately I did not get anything. I am a 4.0+ student and I can't believe I cannot find help to pay for my college education.
My family is considered middle class or lower middle class? I'm not exactly sure, my brother and I share a bedroom in a 2 bedroom apartment and my grandma sleeps in the living room. I've been consumed by stress that I will not be able to obtain my life long dream of attending medical school after college, but I like to think that where there's a will, there's a way, but reality seems just so depressing. I blame Bush for his war in Iraq and I blame Congress for trying to relieve the deficit on the backs of the future generations. They are supposed to be protecting us and giving us a chance to be something more, yet I know that my family is better off than most, it just seems that it is hardest for the middle class families, because they are stuck paying for college by themselves while those of lower incomes get financial aid and those who are rich can afford to pay it themselves. I agree that those who do not have much money should get the government's help, but I do expect the government to do more for its future leaders than cut education budgets.
You aren;t alone. I am in the same boat. I didn't get any help and My student loans are due now and I am not working because I can't find time between raising my kids and school. When you know something let me know. !
I understand you perfectly. I am quite in the same situation as you are. But you can't do more than you have already done: work as much as you can, and keep looking for scholarships. You are right: strong will and perseveration hold the key!
I completely know what you're going through. I qualified for absolutly no financial aid. It's ridiculous because I have a much younger sister and brother still who my parents have to put through middle and high school first and then college after that. By the time they get to college it's going to be ridiculous. And what's even more frustrating is that this one couple told me that it doesn't matter how much college costed.They told me it shouldn't matter how much it costed that my parenst should pay for me to go anywhere I wanted because I was the oldest and most important. What nerve they had! You could tell they only had one child.
Anyways, are you going to UC-Davis because I have a friend from my school going there next year.
Yes, I'll be going there this septemeber. Can't wait.
I also know how you feel. I come from a middle class family and I agree that the middle class probably has the toughest time when it comes to college funding.
I qualified for some scholarships based on my GPA. I'm surprised you haven't, or am I mistaken? I think it also has to do with the institution you're going to attend. They might base their financial aid help on need, major (what you're going to study), and high school GPA. Unfortunately, most people can't get through college without a loan or two. I've had to do it on my own as my parents refuse to fund my education. Hopefully your parents see the value of helping fund your education.
Keep looking. If this is what you really want, you'll find a way.
I Financial Aid is hard to get and I think if you want to go to medical school just take out loans and you will have to pay them back after graduated college.
My family is barely making it by as it is. I am trying my hardest to get scholarships to pay my way so I can go to my dream university when the time comes in a year. There is always hope that I will get some scholarships or the reallization that I will be left with a minimum wage job. Life.
I'm in the same situation. I was overwhelmed with excitement when I got into my first choice school(Cal Poly SLO), but it never happened. I'm at a community college now. Even though you really want to go to UC Davis, you'll still get the same degree if you go to a Community College for the first two years. It's a lot cheaper and you could still live at home in most cases. A las resort would be credit cards. Everyone advises against it, but you have to do what you have to do. If getting an education means that much to you, just open a lot of cards. You'll have terrible credit later in your life, but at least you'll have an education.
All great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds-Albert Einstein
No. That is the worst advice I've ever heard. Opening a bunch of credit cards, racking up exorbitant fees and not paying even the minimum balance will destroy your life.
You are better off working for a time, and going back to school when you can afford it. Do not ruin your credit and create bankruptcy. You'd regret every minute of it, because employers look at your credit when you graduate before they hire you, and they don't hire idiots with poor credit history.
I don't blame Bush or the Congress for this. I'm in the same boat too. I blame the system as a whole. There's way too many people below me to help and the people above me don't need help but I'm stuck in the middle trying to do it on my own (with the help of my parents of course). It's not fair but life isn't fair and that's what I keep telling myself. I truly believe that even if we did have a different president the situation would be the same. The middle class will always get screwed over. Just keep your head up and work through it.