Adding Reply Archived Topic: It will not be bumped to the top of the forum. Topic Affording college Membername   Not a member? Sign Up Free (takes 20 seconds) Password   Forgotten your password? Post Font: Verdana Arial Black Georgia Comic Sans Impact   Size: Tiny Normal Big Huge   Color: Default Dark Red Red Orange Brown Green Olive Cyan Blue Dark Blue Indigo Black [ Check Spelling ] [ Post Preview ] [ LiveTags ] FAQ Keyword Search: Post Options Favorites Manager Notify me of new replies to this topic by email Notify me of new replies to this topic by private message Original Post Baram Posted at 8:38 pm on Sep. 15, 2008 I'm a senior in High school, and I am trying to get into a really good college.  I want to go into International Relations, and I heard from a friend (who's also goint into International Relations, hopefully), that St. Thomas has a great program.  She's planning on going there IF she can afford it.  I am interested in going there as well. However, my family does NOT make enough to realistically afford it.  We do not make a whole lot of money, but make JUST too much to get good financial aid.  I am a very good student, my GPA is 3.895, I have taken many AP and college classes in High School, and I want to get the best education as possible. St. Thomas or Augsburg or any of the other colleges I am looking at are around 3 times more expensive than St. Cloud State (where my parents hope that I go).  We've visited it, and its OK, but I do not really want to go there.  I've mentioned scholarships and student loans, but they feel that scholarships are too unreliable of a source of money for college, and student loans would put me into so much debt (But I would gladly be paying those off for a long time if I got a good education leading me to a great job) Also, I am in NHS (just got inducted tonight!!), Model UN (Why I like International Relations), and Student Council, so would there be scholarships available? What I would REALLY appreciate is anyone who has been in this situation to give me advice, though any advice would be great!

Replies Baram Posted at 7:57 pm on Sep. 21, 2008 Quote: from jiminic2 at 10:06 pm on Sep. 20, 2008 Those college fairs are great. Too bad they only give you 45 minutes. Our school had a whole night dedicated to college information. It was a great idea, and I felt like I had enough time.  I went to talk with the 5 schools I am interested in most, and now am more confident that the college I want to go to is affordable.  All I need to do is convince my parents to visit for a tour, but they hate driving down in the Cities, they always get lost jiminic2 Posted at 10:06 pm on Sep. 20, 2008 Those college fairs are great.  Too bad they only give you 45 minutes.  Our school had a whole night dedicated to college information. Baram Posted at 3:20 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 I'll have to talk about it a lot.  I have a Senior Exit Interview at school next Friday, where me and my parents talk with the career advisors about college.  And tomorrow is my school's College Fair, and the 2 schools that I am looking at are going to be there.  There are about 70 schools there, but they only give us 45 minutes... jiminic2 Posted at 2:11 pm on Sep. 17, 2008 You can google scholarships on the internet.  You can also go to www.fastweb.com and set up a free account.  They have all kinds of scholarships and will email you when new ones come up and when they're approaching their deadlines. Just Waiting Here Posted at 11:26 pm on Sep. 16, 2008 It's really up to you.  If you think the money is worth it, then go for the loans.  Do you awnt to spend the rest of your life regretting it? My dad was telling me how when he was in college, he couldn't afford MIT (and he really couldn't because he was also in the country on a student visa, so he couldn't work).  And he says that he felt he missed out, and that he had no challenges. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering what if, and regretting you final choice.  Talk to your parents about it again. Now... on another note, don't count out FAFSA until you get it.  It might help you out... Do you also have other siblings, because that is something they also consider.  You can also get things like work study, and just do what you can to make it work.  Certain student loans don't have to be paid off until something like 6 months after you are no longer a full time student. Look into it, call the school's you're interested in and ask them what you can do, apply to scholarships... work over the summer and build up the money for books and those kinds of things.  And overall, think about what you want from life.  I almost gave up going to my choice school because of cost... I ended up taking one year off between highschool and college to work and get some money to help pay for it... I'm happy I was still able to go. So think about it.  What do you want, and what will make you happy?  Consider cost, because money can play a large role in happiness, even though it may not be the most important thing... and see where it takes you :). MrIndigo Posted at 11:10 pm on Sep. 16, 2008 well.. reach schools are like the Ivys and stuff... you know... one's that you are like in the lower spectrum of prospects. Well, make sure you get a fixed rate loan;) Anyways, I'm just speculating that inflation would pick up soon. Government is pumping money into the economy. And oil prices won't stay that low for long. The Fed interest rate is very low at 2%. I think loans are slightly harder now with the credit crunch, but you should still be able to get student loans from major banks (such as BofA, Wells Fargo, etc.). Also, get the federal student loans first, then go to the banks. Baram Posted at 4:13 pm on Sep. 16, 2008 SHould I just apply to everywhere I want to go?  When should I decide where I should go for sure (out of the places I am accepted to) Is it easy to find the money to pay for college, in scholarships and loans?  How much do people generally take out in loans for private colleges? jennay Posted at 6:35 am on Sep. 16, 2008 Quote: from Baram at 4:56 am on Sep. 16, 2008 Quote: from MrIndigo at 8:43 pm on Sep. 15, 2008 Take out loans...  With the inflation outlook, it won't be a bad idea:P  Anyways, with your GPA, it'll be a waste if you go to a state school. It'll be like you've worked for nothing, because people with 2.0s can go there.  is 3.895 unweighted? if that's the case, you should try like 2-3 reach schools too. (I don't know your test scores, but if they're 2100+ you got a legit shot) What's the inflation about? Is that where money is not "worth" as much right now, but will be worth more later? What's a reach school? Also, I haven't had a chance to take the ACT or SAT yet because of conflicts last year, but I am registered to take the ACT next month. Also, how much CAN you take out in student loans? How easy is it to find scholarships? Do high schools provide scholarshps, and how much? no its the opposite. 5K in todays money is worth a lot more than 5K in future years' money will be worth, therefore by taking out a loan youre trading todays money which is worth more for tomorrows money which is worth less. (though they do usually factor in inflation into the interest, depending on the type of loan and its source) Baram Posted at 4:56 am on Sep. 16, 2008 Quote: from MrIndigo at 8:43 pm on Sep. 15, 2008 Take out loans...   With the inflation outlook, it won't be a bad idea:P   Anyways, with your GPA, it'll be a waste if you go to a state school. It'll be like you've worked for nothing, because people with 2.0s can go there.   is 3.895 unweighted? if that's the case, you should try like 2-3 reach schools too. (I don't know your test scores, but if they're 2100+ you got a legit shot) What's the inflation about?  Is that where money is not "worth" as much right now, but will be worth more later?  What's a reach school?  Also, I haven't had a chance to take the ACT or SAT yet because of conflicts last year, but I am registered to take the ACT next month. Also, how much CAN you take out in student loans?  How easy is it to find scholarships?  Do high schools provide scholarshps, and how much? steven7 Posted at 8:51 pm on Sep. 15, 2008 it can be rough MrIndigo Posted at 8:43 pm on Sep. 15, 2008 Take out loans... With the inflation outlook, it won't be a bad idea:P Anyways, with your GPA, it'll be a waste if you go to a state school. It'll be like you've worked for nothing, because people with 2.0s can go there. is 3.895 unweighted? if that's the case, you should try like 2-3 reach schools too. (I don't know your test scores, but if they're 2100+ you got a legit shot) EarthEmpire Posted at 8:41 pm on Sep. 15, 2008 There are scholarships available for everything. Just apply to as many as you can and don't slack off on the essays. I got 3 scholarships that covered my whole year (and I have a bit left over). Maybe get a parttime job this year too. Majo Posted at 8:40 pm on Sep. 15, 2008 I think you should apply and see what sort of financial aid package they give you. I know where you're coming from, though. The school I'm at now is about $35,000 a year and I got about $14,000 in scholarships and grants but that still leaves $21,000 that needs to be paid off, $12,000 of which is in loans. Just gotta see where all the money is going to be coming from and make a decision. All 13 previous replies displayed.