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Re: I need some help and support......possible trigger » rskontos

Posted by garnet71 on April 7, 2009, at 15:10:29

In reply to I need some help and support......possible trigger, posted by rskontos on April 7, 2009, at 11:30:21

RE: financial fears and college

I just wanted to tell you Community Colleges are GREAT. If you are low income, you shouldn't have to pay a dime; in fact, you might get a refund each semester-money you can use to buy books and defer transportation costs, etc. In some cases, you can still take tax deductions beyond that. I think the educational tax credits/deductions may have changed for the better since Obama's election, but can't recall exactly.

I did one full-time year at CC, and wish I had done 2, but I still utilized the CCs by taking classes in the summer in between my other insitution's fall and spring semesters. It's soo much cheaper!!!

It's my son's 2nd semester at a CC. He gets refunds of $500 each semester, which he gets to use anyway he wants so he earns money going to school. He will get a few thousand though next year, because we missed the state grant filing deadline last term, so the $500 was a refund for what was left over for the regular Pell grant.

When I first started at college, I'd scan the internet for scholarships (ex. fastweb.com) and write essays and apply; I got a couple thousand in private scholarhsips sponsored by various organizations my first year by doing so. It's very time consuming, so I bet I could have gotten a lot more money if I continued that. If you have the time, check into it. The money often goes directly in your pocket rather than directly to the school.

I didn't go to traditional college until I was, I think, 28, though I went to a business school instead of finishing h.s. (don't ever do that-they are a waste of money). It's great being older in college, because you can contextualize everything you hear in classes to real world experiences, and also, depending upon your life or work experiences, discern whether professors are basing their classes on opinions/idealism more than real life.

I'm a big fan of community colleges. I've had some of the best teachers and classes there, even ivy-league graduates for teachers. In fact, I was so impressed by one class/professor i took during the summer, that I in part had made my decision to transfer to the institution he taught at for many years.

The availability of classes w/scheduling is so much easier than other insitutitions. Don't understand why some people (no one here but I've seen it many times) are condescending towards CCs. I've influenced a few people to go back to college later in life due to my positive experiences at a CC.

And after 2 years, if you maintain a GPA of at least 3.5 at a CC, most institutions will give you a merit scholarship towards your tuition. Helps too if you screwed up in hs like I did; no one looks at your hs transcripts if you are a older transfer student from a cc.

Just make sure you fill out the FASFA in time; the Dept. of Education's online financial application, or you could miss out on some aid. So, if you are thinking about enrolling in school, do the FAFSA now-you could always cancel it if you decide not to go. Just google "FAFSA". I think one of the deadlines for federal grants--Pell-is in *May*, though states vary.

Also-congress just passed a law that will provide more college aid, something like the Investment in America act, i forget. For the expansion of Ameri Corps, they offer something \like a $12,000 yearly stipend towards school. Ihaven't checked into it, but just google Ameri Corps, or look at the White House's website, and see if that will help you with your particular situation.

There are also many state programs for people who are considered displaced homemakers, etc. Oh, and some scholarships directed to those with mental health issues, minorities, single Mom's etc, daugther of a steel worker, everything you can imagine. Never did any of that stuff, but I know it's out there.

Hope that eases your pain a bit in terms of financial resources. I probably forgot a few more things, but will post if they cross my mind. There really are tons of resources out there...

Good luck!!!

 

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poster:garnet71 thread:889202
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