The question

My parent’s make under $ 25,000 combined and so I qualified for a federal pell grant and other loans for my fall semester and spring semester (sep 2011-may 2012) , I did not work at all until after I started school (september) and so had no adjusted income to report for 2010 I however started a part time job but quit and for that time period I had an income of $ 6,000. I reported it on my FAFSFA for the 2012-2013 school year and i’m just wondering if that will disqualify me from a pell grant or decrease my loans?? thank you!

The question

I am 24 years old and I have fair credit. I recently was denied a car refinance based on my credit score/report. I have three things on my report: my perfect car loan, a credit card charge off that won’t come off until 2013, and a paid as agreed student loan. I need to bring up my credit score/report. I know that opening a credit card will help but I am unsure of opening one since that is what brought down my report in the first place. Granted, I was 18 and was not smart. Now, I would use it very little and keep up with payments. I just don’t know if it is a the smartest idea. HELP!

The question

Why senior citizens vote republican? an honest sincere question.?
Hello I’m a college student (21) and unfortunately I wasn’t a citizen to vote for the last election but I am now. Anyways I’ve always been a politics nut and I am still researching. lets jump into my question… My question Is: I’ve been following politics a lot lately especially since the magic keyword has been “cut, cut cut!” all year… Now, I’ve listened to republicans and tea party folks argue to cut or get rid of medicare (block-granting) and do “entitlement reform”… I didn’t know what entitlements are so I did some research… It turns out entitlement programs are programs like the Food stamps where ppl are “entitled” to food stamp money only if they are below a certain poverty line…. So..what I have gathered so far is that most if not all republicans and ALL tea party folks want the following:
1) end/cut medicare and/or medicaid…
2) cut/reform entitlement programs such as food stamps.
3) cut education… {i have a pell grant which used to give me $ 16,000 dollars a semester… I literally JUST opened my fall 2011 bill and found that i am only receiving $ 7,400 in pell grants this semester…which is DEVASTATING my family and taking a toll on my health because of the stress its brought with it.) anyways…. I was born in Sudan (back then it was sudan, but now north sudan) And the government there is VERY oppressive… especially to women. the police spent 70% of their time punishing women for not veiling their heads, or being in public with men that weren’t their husbands… I understand the argument that republicans use for “lets limit gov’t” because i have LIVED the consequences… Ive seen cops beating women for forgetting their veils and the government persecute people for “breaking laws” even though the laws don’t make sense.

this brings me to my real question… sorry this is a long read but I have to get it all out!
Why do the senior citizens continue to mostly vote for republicans, when republicans want to cut programs that specifically benefit senior citizens, such as food stamps (many senior citizens live in poverty and need this) medicare (because no health insurance company would “cherry pick” an 80 year old man with health issues and cover them or their medicine)?

I personally don’t want the government to get any bigger because I get it, big government is going to rule our lives in the future. but I feel like I’m trying to find the lesser of both evils here…
I want to vote democratic for the 2012 election because obama is probably the lesser of the evils… If i had to pick between (cut education, cut medicare, cut entitlement programs) and less government and more freedoms I’m afraid my options limit me to the first…

will seniors vote republican again in 2012 after the republicans openly cut medicare, medicaid and entitlements? 10 points for the best answer and as always I’m still learning: constructive criticism is always welcome and forgive me If I made any factual mistakes, i’m still learning.

The question

I am a Freshman at a Community College majoring in Accounting. I was wondering if any other College students could answer my question. I applied for financial aid for the school year of 2011-2012 and started this January 2012. I got some $ 5,000 (Pell Grant). I got a certain amount for my books (maybe $ 600). I still have money left over. What I want to know is did anyone get that left over money or did you have to get work study. They told me I have money for classes for next semester (I’m thinking about taking summer classes) – So what is the next step? or Did you receive your left over financial aid money? Or did you have to get a student job?

The question

I’ve been having an unusual problem with my financial aid. I was approved for financial aid in Fall 2011 and accepted my grant and student loans for Winter/Spring semester 2012 at my junior college. Semester started in January and to this day, I still have not received any money from my student loans or grant. I have been unable to buy my textbooks and school supplies and if I had the money in the bank, I would have bought them already. I have repeatedly spoken to the financial aid advisors and told them about my situation, but they act as though I’m a nuisance and simply tell me to “be patient,” and “your financial aid will come soon.” The typical canned responses I’m assuming they are told to give to students.

I regularly attend my 3 classroom classes, but have been unable to start my online class, which requires an expensive book and separate instructional CD-ROM. Until I am able to purchase this book and the CD package, I can’t start the class lessons. I’m not one to enroll in a class and not do any work, as that would be a complete and total waste of time and would give me the appearance of being careless or lazy, which I’m not.

It gets worse. Today, I received a message notifying me that my financial aid would be reduced because I have “not attended” 1 of my 4 classes, the 1 being my online course. I can’t even begin my online class until I receive the funds to purchase required materials for the class. If I don’t receive my financial aid soon, I could eventually fail the online course. Not to mention, I need my financial aid to pay for basic living expenses and a reduced amount will make the situation even more complicated.

I would like to hear from someone who has had this problem or knows of the best way to handle the problem. I’m an undergraduate with a good gpa with no reasons for this to be happening. I have family and friends who attend other institutions where they receive their financial aid at the beginning of the semester and are able to buy textbooks/supplies and pay rent either on-time or within a week of the semester starting. Not sure why it’s different in my situation.

Now, in the 5th week of classes, I still have received nothing and the financial aid advisors are not being cooperative. They aren’t motivated to help me and they minimize the seriousness of my situation.

What are my options? Is there anything I can do to remedy the situation? I have thought about going to my local news station to see if they would run a story about this problem, as other students have done this and they put together a news story on this subject. I will go to the news station if necessary, but honestly, I just want to correct the problem instead of causing trouble or potentially making things worse.

I would appreciate any suggestions you might have about this strange problem. Thanks for your time and take care.
I accepted my financial aid awards for the 2011-2012 Spring semester in December 2011, which is when I was awarded those. Unfortunately, being “awarded” does not mean you physically receive them.

With regards to the textbook and CD-ROM, My professor stated that I am REQUIRED to buy my own individual copy because the CD-ROM is connected to an online learning website and can only be used by 1 person during the semester.

The question

I will be getting about 2,000 back, more than I ever got back before because I had a lot of deductions this year. So my question, what would be the best thing to do with it…..

-Put it back in my IRA for 2012 contribution. I cant afford to max out, so this would allow me to for 2012
-Pay off my mothers retail credit card. The debt is not mine, not in my name, but I current;y pay the monthly payments on it of 70 a month because shes having trouble. Balance is 1600 and rate is like 20%. Again this wouldnt help MY crdit score, but would help save me 70 a month
-Put it towards the 7k student loans I owe. Rate is about 5% , but I do claim all the interest and deduct on my taxes. I have to pay 120 a month and I ALWAYS pay 250 a month, so I pay extra on that anyway.
-Add it to my regular savings account. I currenty have a 6 month emergency fund, would really like to have 8-12 months though because it took me a long time to find a job before.

The question

I am a 21 year old college student. I want a motorcycle. I already own my own car. It is a 1996 Mustang GT. The problem is that I work for a construction company as a sales associate and they do not take taxes out on my income. I file a 1099 at the end of the tax year, and have not filed taxes for this year. Because of when I started working at this company I will not have to file taxes until 2012. I have talked to a few loan companys and they told me that I would never get approved for a loan because I can’t technically “prove” that I work there or have an income. My car is not new enough to be used as collateral. I make more than enough money to pay for a $ 5000 motorcycle if it were financed. I could afford a loan at $ 250 per month, but no higher. I also receive Veterans Affairs Survive Educational Benefits. For those of you who do not know what this is. VA Educational Benefits means I get paid by the military to go to school as a college student as long as I hold a certain GPA. The VA alone is about $ 900 per month. However, this is considered a “resource” not an income, so it does not show up as an income when I apply for a loan. I REALLY want a motorcycle. I have ridden my friends before but it’s summer and they all ride. I want one of my own. I am not willing to pay an outrageous price that the buy-here-pay-here places offer. IS THERE ANY WAY I CAN OWN MY OWN MOTORCYCLE??????
I would also like to mention that I have a credit score in the 800 area. The loan company told me that would LOVE to have me as a customer but I can’t “Prove” My income.
I know this isn’t something I “need” but it is something I want very much, and siunce I am able to afford this I want it. So how can I afford to get the bike!

The question

My fiance and I have been together for a little over 2 years now and both of us are in college. We are graduating on March 2012. I want to get married on September 23, 2012. The date itself is not an issue; it’s the year. So here is the debate:

My Side: I say Sept. 2012 for one reason, money. Sept. is exactly 6 months after graduation, which means our grace period will be over and our student loan payments will start coming in. For both of us combined will be nearly $ 800 a month. Neither of us live on our own and have no major bills other than cell phone and auto insurance. It seems logical to me to save and plan now while in school while the time, resources, and money are still available because after Sept. ’12, none of the above will be there. If we have to move for work, then even less money can be saved for a wedding, making it no longer a plausible dream.
His Side: He doesn’t want to plan for a wedding while in school. He wants to concentrate on his studies. I have been unemployed since Sept 2009 and he refuses to save or even talk about brainstorming for it until I get a job.

I don’t know if this is a part of a bigger picture that I am just beginning to see. Every time I mention about the wedding, he bitches and complains then refuses to talk about it any further. He has yet to show any excitement about our future. I designated a 6-month brainstorming session before anything is set into concrete, so any discrepancies can be ironed out and we’ll be better prepared. Then, by Sept. of this year, it will be 1 year exactly til wedding day, making it prime time to turn our brainstorming plan into an action plan. He wants no part of it.

So the question is do I have a legit argument? Or should I be more concerned about his apparent “cold feet” on the subject altogether? Any clarifications would be awesome!
Umm wtf?, he was a virgin before we met so sex is definitely not the issue and marriage was never mentioned before he proposed.
The question is about the date and student loans (money). I asked if MY argument was legit? not his. I already get his side of the story. He’s looking at current and I’m looking at future.

And this is not going to be some huge “dream wedding”. We unanimously agreed that it’s going to be something small, simple, and cheap. It’s about all we really discussed on the subject matter.

The question

I have 5 outstanding collections. ranging from $ 600 to 4000 ($ 649,760,1074,1124,3114) and a student loan that doesn’t hit till 2012. I am expecting my first child, a juinor in college and want to buy I home soon. I think two years should be enought time to get ready. I looking for resources (people to talk to to get my credit report in shape and what I should be doing to prepare)

The question

I took out a student loan for about $ 5,000 in 2008. I have NEVER re-newed nor do I have to pay it till 2012 but upon reviewing some information, I saw that I my loan is over $ 26,000!! I called my lender and they said that the SCHOOL requested/re-newed 9 (NINE!) more student loans on MY behalf! Is this legal?!?! I am crying…I am so responsible with my finances…and this is a SHOCK. I know for a fact, as I did keep copies of the paperwork, that I did not CONSENT for them to have that right, nor did I sign anything saying they could do that on my behalf.

IS THIS LEGAL?

CAN I DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?

Please..help…links, resources, anything would be helpful.

PS., I get grants so I have not taken out loans because I DON’T NEED THEM.

The question

I am looking at the 2011-2012 school year and applying to a private art school known as Laguna College of Art and Design. “The current tuition for 2010 – 2011 is $ 22,600 a year or $ 11,300 a semester.” so I am guessing it will be similar. My family is not low income but not high income either – I think it is around $ 50,000 a year (only one working parent) and we recently bought a house.

Basically I am looking for a loan that can cover all of the tuition (besides what I can scrape together in scholarships and grants) that only I will be responsible for. Due to personal reasons I do not want my father (the working parent) incurring any of the debt, nor will it be convenient. So far I have looked up Stafford loans which are given to students, not to their parents, but they are relatively small.

Another inconvenient circumstance is that I turn 18 at the end of August next year, which will be after all the financial aid is applied for. I also intend to move to a different city (well, Laguna Beach) next summer.

I really need to make this work. Can someone help? I can get by with part-time jobs at the moment and during the summer, but I can really start working (I have a plan) only after I turn 18.

The question

Im filling out my FAFSA right now and when I read that if you dont have your parents info then you can go on to the next section by clicking “unable to give information”. My parents claim that they didnt have any money left after taxes but just came back from a week from Florida. While they were gone since i was at work I looked everywhere for their information, their social security, tax return, all I found was my dads OLD tax return from 2001 but I have his social security! : ) but I cant find my moms ss# and I dont have both of there current tax return. So should I just click unable to give information, which is quite true, plus I have a good reason too in which they dont want me to go to college pretty much, not to mention I am gay too and they are very religious I guess they dont want me to meet any guys! : (

However I plan on going to the college this Fall because I fot in its just I need the money to get there and stay

I do however have my W-2 from the 2 jobs that Ive worked at last year. When it comes till January 2012 Im going to send them to my grandmother sense she does taxes and I can file them and can say that I filed my taxes on FAFSA for next year! : )

But should I just might as well say that my parents wont give me information which they really wont, or should I just try to fill out how much I can in the parent section and then try to get the whole package like the loans grants scholarships and money for housing?

Its just im afraid to click on the unable to give the information, because they might not give me alot of money and I wont able to afford housing for Winter and Spring quarter! : (

I dont know what to do! : ( Should I just reply to the women that sent me the message from the college first and tell her what happen and ask her what I should do? or should I just answer the question for the FAFSA myself?

I told most of my friends the story on what happened and they are kind of glad that they arent in that situation, but most of them told me to go out of state to my college I got into, they told me it will be challenging but better off where I am right now!

The good thing about my school is that everyone pays the same tuition my school is quarterly and academically for a full time student is $ 18,030 a year and im planning on getting a associates degree instead of the Bachlors I want to get a Bachelors but its not worth it getting into a bunch of debt in a sucky job market, plus the career i want you dont have to go to college but it would be a good idea to do so, I want to be a Casting Director for a agency
Bellatrix Lestrange, I am 20 years old so I guess it is possible and I do plan on giving my W-2 and work info to my grandmother that does taxes for next year! : ) Hopefully I can get some federal loans but if not of course im going to file for next year

But should I finish the application first or email my financial advisor?

PS: Bellatrix is my fav villian on Harry Potter

The question

Im filling out my FAFSA right now and when I read that if you dont have your parents info then you can go on to the next section by clicking “unable to give information”. My parents claim that they didnt have any money left after taxes but just came back from a week from Florida. While they were gone since i was at work I looked everywhere for their information, their social security, tax return, all I found was my dads OLD tax return from 2001 but I have his social security! : ) but I cant find my moms ss# and I dont have both of there current tax return. So should I just click unable to give information, which is quite true, plus I have a good reason too in which they dont want me to go to college pretty much, not to mention I am gay too and they are very religious I guess they dont want me to meet any guys! : (

However I plan on going to the college this Fall because I fot in its just I need the money to get there and stay

I do however have my W-2 from the 2 jobs that Ive worked at last year. When it comes till January 2012 Im going to send them to my grandmother sense she does taxes and I can file them and can say that I filed my taxes on FAFSA for next year! : )

But should I just might as well say that my parents wont give me information which they really wont, or should I just try to fill out how much I can in the parent section and then try to get the whole package like the loans grants scholarships and money for housing?

Its just im afraid to click on the unable to give the information, because they might not give me alot of money and I wont able to afford housing for Winter and Spring quarter! : (

I dont know what to do! : ( Should I just reply to the women that sent me the message from the college first and tell her what happen and ask her what I should do? or should I just answer the question for the FAFSA myself?

I told most of my friends the story on what happened and they are kind of glad that they arent in that situation, but most of them told me to go out of state to my college I got into, they told me it will be challenging but better off where I am right now!

The good thing about my school is that everyone pays the same tuition my school is quarterly and academically for a full time student is $ 18,030 a year and im planning on getting a associates degree instead of the Bachlors I want to get a Bachelors but its not worth it getting into a bunch of debt in a sucky job market, plus the career i want you dont have to go to college but it would be a good idea to do so, I want to be a Casting Director for a agency

The question

Hello.
I am in the midst of transferring from a California CC to Cal Poly Pomona for the upcoming Spring 2012 Quarter. Having most of my courses completed I enrolled in a 4 unit Math class which by default left me enrolled as a ‘below halftime’ student. Fast forward to December, my first payment was due and i missed it, relocated in between those months and had trouble receiving my mail. The next one is due in just a few days but with all of the fees tied to my transfer i doubt i will be able to make it on time. Also, reading CPP’s financial aid page it states that in order to receive financial i cannot be in default with any past loans.

To sum it up:
Will being a month late on one student loan payment, and perhaps a few days on the next, cause me to fall into default and lose any hopes of financial aid for Cal Poly Pomona?
Not to be rude but, where did you get this information Gypsy?
The website says otherwise but are the guidelines different for different institutions?

http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/repaying.jsp

The question

So I applied for financial aid and my school gave me a rough estimate of my award:

Estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) at SJSU for 2011-2012:
$ 15176
Expected Family Contribution (EFC) – as determined by the Federal Government:
($ 0)
Total Need (COA – EFC):
$ 15176

Estimated Federal Pell Grant Eligibility:
$ 5550
Estimated Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant:
$ 600
Estimated State University Grant or Cal Grant*:
$ 4440
Remaining Eligibility (Total Need – Grants)**:
$ 4586

*Cal Grants are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission, which notifies new and continuing recipients in writing. Funding level for Cal Grants subject to change pending state budget allocations.

**Remaining Eligibility can be met in many cases by student loans, federal work study, or by scholarships. Students cannot receive both Cal Grant and State University Grant funding. Some students may also be eligible for an EOP grant which is awarded to students admitted to SJSU through the Educational Opportunity Program and subject to funding levels for 2011-2012.

MY QUESTION IS: If my family doesn’t have to contribute any money (EFC=$ 0), then where does the $ 4586 come in? Do I have to pull that amount out of my own pocket? My family’s income is a little above 19,000 bucks a year and my mom told me that I didn’t need to worry because the Financial Aid department will cover it all. I still don’t get where I can get the $ 4586. I qualified for Cal Grant B which covers $ 1,551 for books. I’ve heard they help cover my tuition too but that isn’t the $ 4586 right?

The question

I had applied for Spring 2012 and got admit from University of Massachusetts, Amherst for Fall 2011 semester itself but sadly no aid.

I had results awaited from NCSU, Virginia Tech and Texas A&M Univ for Spring 2012. I am really desperate to do my master’s but i am little bounded by financial constraint. Generally people say getting initial funding from good colleges is tricky but you could definitely get funding in any form there when you reach there.

But on other hand some people say do not come to US without funding. All the Univ which i had applied are reputed Govt/state Univ have lesser fee. If i want to get funding, i could go to some lower Univ but people are saying and so do i feel that it might not be worth.

My prof is:
GRE:1350(780Q,570V +3.5) B.Tech %: 8.5/10(eq to 86%)
Decent SOP and LOR

I had also planned to defer my spring admits to fall 2012 including Amherst.

Do you guys think Amherst is nice college for electrical because it is ranked a little low in ranking?? And would it be right investment if i go on loan

Thanks

The question

I am a rising Senior who has chosen to run for Secretary of the Executive Board next year. The elections will be in a week or two This is my speech (which is supposed to be around 150 words long, which accounts for its length).

My fellow Sparta High Schoolers; it is with my strongest conviction I believe that the next year, my Senior year, will be a key part in our memories of Sparta High. If elected Secretary of the Student Body, I pledge to work with the members of the Executive Board to organize all of the major school events for the upcoming year and make them the best they possibly can be. I believe that as a potential officer of the Board it is our duty to leave a mark on this school. I know that the class of 2012 is one of the best to have ever graced these halls; however it isn’t solely about next year’s seniors. My class has and will continue to make an impression on the rising grades. It is their mission to continue that tradition. I know that, if elected, I will make a positive difference. I can make 2012 the best year that this school has ever seen. Thank You.