For people who are in college or going there...?

I'm a sophmore in high school, and trying to decide how I'm going to manage once I get to college. So yea, I don't exactly know where I wanna go yet, so a lot of the info here is going to be a bit vauge. Okay, so hopefully, I'll go to a decent college after senior year, but my parents are not going to be helping me financially. That means that if I pick a college outside NYC (that's where I live) I have to pay for room, food, books and etc. I don't really get much money, my allowance is limited to $10 a week.... Yea, so can you please tell me things like how I can start saving money, what else I have to consider when I'm in college other than like food or room & such. And plus, can you give me any information about stuff like financial aid or loans? Im a total beginner so please be patient with me. Also, please don't mention going to my parents because they are out of the question. After high school, I'm totally on my own. Thanks so much :)

Also, when you ask for a loan, you often need a co-signer right? If you don't have family members who are willing to help you, what do you do?

Ok so when you apply for college.

In terms of financial aid.

You will need to fill out a FASFA form online (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Add all the schools that you intend to attend on your FASFA. Different schools have different deadlines to have your FASFA submitted. The earlier you submit your FASFA the better so that you can meet the deadline for all the schools. You must obey your school's deadline not the federal deadline for your state. The school receives money from the FED and they prepare a financial aid package for all the students that meet their deadline and that are accepted. The student Financial Aid package consist of grants, scholarship, Stafford and Perkin loans. This all depends on your family's expected contribution toward your education. Whatever amount extra that you need you have to get a private student loan which is credit base. Your parents could also take a student loan on your behalf. For both the Stafford and Perkin loans you do not need a cosigner. If you need a private student loan for the extra cost, try Discover student loans as one of the private lenders. Your school should have a list of all the lenders that offers private student loans as well as a list of scholarships that you can apply for. Good Luck !!!!

Now, the money that you will received from the FED/state/private donor will go automatically to the school. Whatever is left the school will give it to you. That money you can use to pay your books, food etc...

In terms of how much school cost. It varies from 0-50k/ year. If you get a full scholarship you pay nothing toward your education. In Texas, if your family is poor you go to school for free. A community college may cost like 5k/year. Ivy league school cost like 50-60k per year. So yeah, it depends on where you go to school and what state you live in and on your family's income and assets. All these will determine how much you will have to pay toward your education.

In terms of school expense,

They are Tuition and fees, health insurance (some school requires that all of their student carry health insurance), books, equipment like laptop, lab fees, food, dorm, car and car insurance, utilities and that's all I can think off.
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Yea, so can you please tell me things like how I can start saving money?
------That鈥檚 easy. Just start saving it. Try to ration what you have and spend it only when needed or for necessities, like food. Buy your food in bulk from Costco. Don鈥檛 eat out at fast-food restaurants. If you really want to put aside money for months at a time and don鈥檛 want to be able to access it, open up a CD at your local bank. You won鈥檛 be able to touch it without penalties.



What else I have to consider when I'm in college other than like food or room & such.
------Car insurance if you have a car. Travel expenses if you鈥檙e taking the bus or subway. Other expenses: cell phone, haircuts, gas, toiletries, books, school supplies.

And plus, can you give me any information about stuff like financial aid or loans?----Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for all of your financial questions. Try not to take out a loan if possible. Just go with the BOG.

During your senior year, when you apply for colleges and universities, depending on your grades and whatnot, they will give you scholarships of xx amount. Some of the scholarships they give may last for 4 years. The catch is the certain requirements they set that one must adhere to.

I don't know if NY has state scholarships. I live in Florida and I was given the bright futures scholarship. The most important thing is to apply for FAFSA, financial aid provided by the government and it is imperative that your parents help fill it out.

ANyways, you are a sophomore. Stick to having fun at the moment, getting good grades and at this point, maybe get a job. The job may hekp you transition yourself in becoming more focus and start a savings account and so forth. Good luck!

umm i think financial aid will basically pay for everything. if your worried that they wont then you can apply for scholarships and grants..better than loans because then you dont need to worry about paying it back. before applying financial aid you need to apply for fsfa. since your a sophomore you have time to do volunteer work and join clubs to impress the college you want to go. the college you pick have there own set of scholarships you can apply for. to apply for financil aid you need you parents income report. you basically have to prove that you cant afford to pay schooling. plus when you go to open house for which ever college or university they explain more in detail and people in their advising offices will help you file papers for the financial aid. it seems alot of work but trust me its not. one thing a recommend..*dont wait until the last minute. i waited until the month before i started college and since financial aid cant reply that quick i had to do a payment plan and pay almost $800. up front. if you want to go to the website just google financial aid and itll take you to the exact page. . well i hope i helped you somewhat.

Financial Aid will be your best friend. If you can get scholarships, even better. Once a college accepts you, they will usually tell you how much financial aid they are willing to give you (former students give donations to help incoming students & work study is when the school guarantees you work there that will go towards tuition.) But the best thing to do is go to your nearest library & ask the librarian about scholarships and FAFSA forms and books that compare colleges (there are even some fun ones that compare party life and dating scenes). Depending on what you want to study, your ethnic heritage, etc. there is usually some kind of scholarship you can apply for that will pay some expenses. If worse comes to worst, you can apply for school loans that will cover room, board, books, etc.--try not to take out more than you will actually need or you will be stressed trying to pay it back once you graduate.

Not sure how to work it if you don't have a co-signer--try going in & asking at a bank.