So, I gues I'm waiting until I'm 25 to go back to school... (rant)

systemstech

Beyond mad right now guys. I'm 23, so still considered "dependent". Pretty much they're saying I have to pay a significant amount every month because there's too much money coming in in my house. It's because of my mom's husband. I asked them "So what you're saying is my moms husband for less then a year is responsible for paying my school?" and pretty much freaked out on the fasfa people. How insane is it that it's based off of what everyone makes in your house. I'm 23 years old... no one's paying for my school? Why does the government assume this?

I don't know, this really bummed me out. I guess I'll focus on certs for the next two years. Cheers to the government for sucking. (rant done).

joelsfood

I think you're considered a dependent because you're living with your family, not because of your age.

Fulcrum45

Ugh, I know your pain. I had to take out a bunch of school loans to pay for my degree because my parents made too much money (but were up to their eyeballs in debt). They couldn't help me one cent and the govt. wouldn't give me one cent unless I borrowed. Funny how that all works.

NetworkNewb

Once you hit 24 you should be able to claim yourself as a independent:

How to determine independent or dependent student status | SimpleTuition

https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/filling-out/dependency


Even if he didn't live with his parents, he would still be considered dependent (don't ask me why...)

joelsfood

I stand corrected.

Just like anything else, they have to come up with some set of criteria, as the federal budget can only subsidize so many loans. Stinks that you're caught in the middle of this one though, systemstech.

Considered WGU?

systemstech

joelsfood wrote: »

I think you're considered a dependent because you're living with your family, not because of your age.

Doesn't matter who I live with. Regardless I'm still considered dependent. It sucks so bad man.

NetworkNewb

Its only til your 24 though. Can't be too many months away right?

systemstech

joelsfood wrote: »

I stand corrected.

Just like anything else, they have to come up with some set of criteria, as the federal budget can only subsidize so many loans. Stinks that you're caught in the middle of this one though, systemstech.

Considered WGU?

I absolutely agree. There needs to be some sort of criteria. The fact of the matter is, it doesn't make any sense in my case. A guy that's been married to my mom for less then a year is suppose to pay for my school? It just doesn't make any sense. Sorry, not trying to sound like a douche. I'm just genuinely pissed off and upset.

Edit: What pisses me off more is I can't get money for loans, but crack heads can get free money on Welfare..... go figure.

systemstech

NetworkNewb wrote: »

Its only til your 24 though. Can't be too many months away right?

June 5th I'll be 24.

GreaterNinja

You have to:

-Be 24 or older.
-Make under $20,000 year the previous year to qualify for federal Pell grants.
So typically you would have to make under $20k/yr at 23 years of age.
-Have at least a 3.0 GPA in STEM to receive additional federal grants/scholarships
-Apply for FAFSA super early to receive college/university default scholarships.

Here is something funny about America. If you make 43k/yr and are single, you will usually pay around $12,0000/yr in taxes give or take (assuming no 401k/IRA deduction). You will also typically not receive a refund come tax time.
Pretty cool for working full-time right? They only give you loans and taxes.

If you make under $20k/yr you can receive $5775 to $11550 (STEM grant) in federal grants per year + a huge tax refund of $2,000 to $6000/year + university scholarships.

Strategically, you could:
Work a job/contract 3-6 months to make the $20,000/yr (or more if you do 401k/IRA savings)
Do a STEM degree and receive $11,550 in federal grants / yr.
File your tax return and get a refund of $2500 to $6000/year.

So a conservative estimate would pull $34,050/year if you did a STEM degree.

In these two scenarios the person making under $20k/yr can actually make more then the guy making $43k/yr after taxes.

systemstech

Luckily I'm already working in IT and know what I want to do. I just can't believe how hard it is to better yourself if you're at a certain age. I don't know, it annoys me.

danny069

What about taking out a student loan?

systemstech

danny069 wrote: »

What about taking out a student loan?

Apparently there's too much money in my house. I'd have to pay an amount monthly.

scaredoftests

What about a Scholarships?

systemstech

scaredoftests wrote: »

What about a Scholarships?

I don't have any scholarships.

scaredoftests

You can apply for some (you have a fafsa ID, right)

systemstech

scaredoftests wrote: »

You can apply for some (you have a fafsa ID, right)

I doubt I'll get enough to cover all of my monthly fees.

kohr-ah

systemstech wrote: »

I doubt I'll get enough to cover all of my monthly fees.

You don't know that until you try. If you want to go to school that bad before declared as self-dependant then I'd try every single thing I could and apply for every scholarship I could.

The world is what you make it. No-one will hand it to you.

systemstech

kohr-ah wrote: »

You don't know that until you try. If you want to go to school that bad before declared as self-dependant then I'd try every single thing I could and apply for every scholarship I could.

The world is what you make it. No-one will hand it to you.

LOL. Obviously I'm trying everything I can. That's why I called Fasfa in the first place.... Trust me, I know no one will hand it to me. After my dad died, I learned to do everything myself ;] thanks for that advice though.

stryder144

Scholarships are probably your best bet. Buy this book. I went through the book and discovered that approximately 1/3 applied to me and would apply to everyone else. No requirement to be of a certain race, ethnicity, income level, grade point average, etc. You can do it, but only if you try by applying.

kurosaki00

Did you try to fill it as independent?

I remember my sister went to school as independent but that was like 10 years ago.
She still lived in our home with the rest of the family.

Unless FAFSA is way stricter now.

olaHalo

What about getting a job and paying for school.

thomas_

I'd recommend taking CLEP tests while you are waiting to turn 25. Find out what, if any, CLEP tests the college you want to attend accepts and are applicable to your intended degree program. Study for the CLEP and pass it. There's no need wasting tens of thousands of dollars on lower level courses that you can fulfill with CLEP tests. Degreeforum.net is a good resource when it comes to CLEP tests.

NetworkNewb

thomas has a good idea ^^^

Also, just throwing other suggestions out there, get a job and take one or two classes a semester and pay those off.

Or just get a couple certifications while you wait til you are 24. Sounds like you should be able to get financial aid next year for the fall semester.

It sucks FAFSA rules don't let you apply right now, but I'm all for not getting mad at things I can't control. There are always different paths to get to where you want to be. I'm sure you'll find yours!

kenrin

How far have you gone up the FAFSA ladder at the local financial aid office? I was a dependent of my grandmother and had to get a waiver for my father who I have not seen since I was nine and for my step grandfather before they would give me anything. I think it also had something about not living with them anymore on the paperwork (like I'd commute five hours anyway).

joemc3

You are doing it wrong. Get a different address and apply like you are living in an apartment.