It's Just Not Enough

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So I have finally narrowed down my choices for what college I would like to attend. I was very happy with my decision and more than happy that each college offered me a good deal of scholarship money. I applied for FAFSA on time and waited.
I expected that since my parents don't make a lot of money and with our current financial situation that I'd receive a large sum. Well, my financial aid packages came from my top three colleges. I only received between $700-$1,000 more than my scholarships. Now, how am I going to pay $30,000 a year for college? Their suggestion: take out a loan. Are they kidding? By the time I finish college I'll be over a hundred thousand dollars in debt! I can't pay that with being a journalism major.
Now what? Everyone is suggesting community colleges or smaller private colleges or careers that I have no interest in. Should I sacrafice what I love doing just so I can make more money? Should I attend a community college where I can't live and transfer two years later only for some of my credits not to be transferred? Why should making a choice like this be so difficult?
I'm sure everyone here is going through something similar to this. I think it's rediculous how expensive college is. Where does your money go anyway? The professors certainly don't get paid well. Why am I going to spend $75 to $100 dollars or more on a text book that I'll use for a semester or so and then will have to get rid of?
Is it really worth taking out thousands of dollars in loans to go to school you want? Or are you going to have to change your plans for something more affordable?

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vern's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

I have no idea what to tell you here...I can't believe you got so little from fafsa...but I know how it is...I'm going to a private school next year and my parents freaked when they found out tuition was 30 grand...luckily I got a huge scholarship from the school for my academics...and I got a decent amount on fafsa...but we still have to come up with more than we have...I don't think you should have to give up on your passion...hopefully things will pull through for you...what are your top three schools? I don't know how I could make a decision...it was one school for me...it's the only one I eve applied to

joawesome's picture

You'll be offered much more by the schools themselves, not just from the fafsa right. I mean the fafsa predicted my EFC to be really low but I ended up getting an offer of over 27,000 to Seattle U which is over 30,000 a year in tuition not including room and board etc. I'm sure the colleges themselves will offer you much more money. There is no way they would only give you 1,000 or so dollars for a 30,000 dollar college.

that's just it. the colleges already offered me between $7,00-$10,000 in scholarships, but even with FAFSA it's not enough.

vern's picture
Member of the Progressive U Alumni Association

I'm still really curious as to what schools these are...that seems really low...and that really sucks

Bummer my friend. Best of luck in finding scholarships. You're on Fastweb, right?

Every organism's heartbeat holds a universe of beauty at http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/green-underbelly

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