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Too Old for Mommy, Too Young For Money: Struggle for Financial Aid
Topics: education, jobs, teens
Posted by PTolosa Wed Mar 19, 2008 16:05:18 PDT
Viewed 134 times
0 responses 1 comment

            We are everywhere.  We are answering your phones, filing your papers, serving your food, washing the dishes you are eating off of, even ushering you into your movie.  You will see us all day, every day-at fast food restaurants, five-star restaurants and the restaurants in between, behind registers at every department store, at the very office you work at making your coffee.  But there’s another place that we should be: school.

            According to the Federal Student Aid Commission, a student must be over 24 years old, married or have a dependent to support in order to be considered “independent”.  These students are more likely to get aid, such as grants and scholarships, unless the dependent student’s family is less than “well-off”.  I am an assistant manager at a retail store, I have a two-bedroom townhouse, a cell phone, a car payment/insurance that I keep up with every month-I consider myself very independent.

            My problem: I am 20-years-old, I am waiting for the right person to marry and have children with and my parents make “too much money”.  My “estimated family contribution” is over $5,000.  I have two other siblings, one in college and the youngest on her way to college in a couple of years.  My dad is retired from the military and has a full-time job, while my mom works two jobs.

            A lot of people might look at my situation and say “duh”-live with your parents! My parents live in Delano.  Delano does not have the job opportunities that Bakersfield does.  Plus the commute to and from school and work equals what I pay in rent and also costs me precious study and sleep time.

            So how have I tried to solve my problem? I have been working full time (40+ hours a week) to cover my bills, tuition, textbooks, and supplies.  Mind you, I also have a four year grant that was grade based and helps just a little bit.  This works for me and against me: I am usually exhausted from work and it shows in class.  The vicious cycle of it all:  I cannot move on from my tiring job unless I have a degree.

            Am I the only one in this boat? Think of all the 17-23-year-olds you know that don’t have any scholarships or grants, who are instead forced to take thousands of dollars in loans they must pay back while they are still in school or right after they graduate.  Imagine struggling towards a degree while stuck in a minimum wage job.

            A couple of situations I bring to the table: Once, I invite all my fellow workaholics to their support in signing a petition to knock the “independent student” age requirement down.  Two, we can start a fund that would donate to hard-working students in this situation.

 

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Comment From: ACEYOU

Well, you certainly sound like a hard-working, conscientious student. Don't give up your dreams. You didn't say if you were a full time student or a part-time student. Most folks in the work force who are students are part-time students, most go to school at night. So, you might want to consider reducing your course load and expenses that way. Takes longer to get that degree, but, the only other option is to quit your job and go full time, and get some loans. Please note that most loans don't have to be paid back right after you graduate - you can get structured terms and pay over time. If you have been able to buy a condo at such a young age (congratulations by the way, I didn't buy my first house until I was 34), you must have a pretty decent job, especially without a degree. Most corporations have educational assistance for their employees, provided that the courses taken can be shown to be relevent to their future career with the corporation. You may want to look into that with your employer if you haven't already. Other than that, getting a loan seems to be your best option. Although it may sound like a lot of money now, in the long run (when you are an old fart like me), it will be a drop in the bucket compared to the increased lifetime earnings you can expect to have with that degree (or degrees). Someone once told me, "If you want to make money, you have to spend money." Sadly, there's a lot of truth to that. Good luck to you. Hope you resolve your dilemma!