Need advice on paying for college, finding non-volunteer scholarships.
July 1, 2015 10:25 AM Subscribe
A friend is trying to find programs and/or scholarships that she qualifies for which don't require volunteer work. She's a 23 year old working college student in the S.F. Bay Area who found out, after graduating from community college, that her waiver fee doesn't apply for her college. (Her mother makes too much money, but is also retired on a fixed income, with substantial debts.)
She was accepted for studying accounting at UC Humboldt, but is unable to go unless she can get thousands, fast. She's applied for the scholarships and grants her school had, but was either denied without explanation -- possibly because of her mother's income -- or they are still not registering as either accepted or rejected. She is bisexual, Latina / Asian, raised by a single mom with a grandfather formerly in the Air Force, so perhaps there are other scholarships available, but she's having problems finding ones which don't require volunteering, as she works / takes classes full time. Can someone suggest programs/groups/scholarships/grants that she would qualify for, or suggest ways to work with UC Humboldt's financial aid office, who are six hours away, and seem unable to determine whether her scholarships are confirmed or denied, and if so, why.
She was accepted for studying accounting at UC Humboldt, but is unable to go unless she can get thousands, fast. She's applied for the scholarships and grants her school had, but was either denied without explanation -- possibly because of her mother's income -- or they are still not registering as either accepted or rejected. She is bisexual, Latina / Asian, raised by a single mom with a grandfather formerly in the Air Force, so perhaps there are other scholarships available, but she's having problems finding ones which don't require volunteering, as she works / takes classes full time. Can someone suggest programs/groups/scholarships/grants that she would qualify for, or suggest ways to work with UC Humboldt's financial aid office, who are six hours away, and seem unable to determine whether her scholarships are confirmed or denied, and if so, why.
Is there a reason she is not taking out federal loans? She is close to 24 and will be considered independent then and should be able to get enough in loans to cover tuition. Seems like she may also get Pell Grants and Cal Grants.
posted by yarly at 10:34 AM on July 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by yarly at 10:34 AM on July 1, 2015 [1 favorite]
Looking at Humboldt's costs, once she is an independent on the FAFSA, she will have enough in Pell and loans to cover tuition + fees.
It looks like, as is so often the case, that housing is her biggest issue. Namely, she won't be able to afford to live there. I'm not familiar with the UC system, but if she is currently in a stable home, she should apply for a school in her area so she doesn't need to expense of moving + living off of aid. She will need to work, pay rent, and use her FAFSA to cover her tuition and fees.
posted by Think_Long at 10:37 AM on July 1, 2015
It looks like, as is so often the case, that housing is her biggest issue. Namely, she won't be able to afford to live there. I'm not familiar with the UC system, but if she is currently in a stable home, she should apply for a school in her area so she doesn't need to expense of moving + living off of aid. She will need to work, pay rent, and use her FAFSA to cover her tuition and fees.
posted by Think_Long at 10:37 AM on July 1, 2015
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posted by Think_Long at 10:33 AM on July 1, 2015 [1 favorite]