How Much Money Should I Borrow for College?

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Why some universities requires students to live at the univ. dorms and pay Room-Board so expensive when they can live off campus and save?

Ivette Pasarell 3:21PM April 27, 2011

Work no more than 15 hours a week during the school year? Ahahahaha. Oh, that's precious.

Hahaha of MO 12:46AM March 15, 2011

My daugther moved off campus this year and she saved about $1200.00 which she will recieve in a refund after her strafford loans are disburst to the university. If she opps not to borrow the extra &1200.00 will her awarded money for next year still remain the same? or will the federal loans look at this and say she doesn't need that amount next year?

Concern Parent of NC 5:24PM August 31, 2010

To Borrowing is Disastrous!, I agree with you 95%. I say that because I agree with what you said about the U.S. not using our tax dollars to support US! Heck, my husband jokes about moving to Canada because he think US policies don't support the working man. I worry how I will be able to put my kids through college. However, the statement you made about poor families getting a full ride is not totally true. I work to help poor kids make it to college and here's the deal: First, most of them have been stuck in America's worst schools for 12 years, so many of my kids are lucky to have 15 on the ACT. Kids with a 17-18 consider themselves lucky. So now I have to steer them in the direction of some 2nd or 3rd tier university that will take them through some "alternative admission" program or send them to junior college where I know they will not graduate. Out of 20 low-income seniors I have maybe 3 getting a full ride. The kids with average ACT's (which remember their scores are typical for their high schools) are faced the maximum Stafford loans as well as Parent Plus loans, which if you are poor, you can't get because you aren't credit worthy. So then I have the break this kids heart and say unless you can get some outside scholarships,you can't go to that school. While I agree with your assertion that America doesn't help the middle class, I must point out that our country's lack of investment in its youth, in education, daycare, healthcare, etc. hurts both the middle class and the poor. Most middle class families are only a few pay checks and one healthcare/family crisis from being poor, so by asking our government to invest in people and families we give the middle class security and help the poor help themselves.

Renee Daye-Cross of IL 12:21PM May 03, 2010

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guenstig uebernachten montabaur of 4:21PM March 08, 2010

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davielclay of CT 5:50AM January 23, 2010

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maethelwin of GA 8:00PM November 11, 2009

is there loans for international students ?

jioa 12:17AM October 31, 2009

I just started my sophomore year. Last year I attended my "big" state school and got nearly no aid because my parents made to much money. This summer my Dad lost his job. I told the fin. aid office about the situation, redid my FAFSA & hoped that the fact that I was an Honors College student who has been on the Dean's List every semester, volunteered in the community, was extremely involved on campus AND went to school over the summer would at least get me some sort of help. Nothing. I know I'm blessed to have parents that were able to help me out when they could (my heart goes out to everyone who's parents don't get it - yall will make it anyway!!) but I'm really hating this whole system right now. I had to stay home and go to the local state school, its only costing me $4100 for this semester but that is with me taking JUST 12 hrs and living at home. I'm hoping to transfer back in the spring - but as of my first semester sophomore year, I owe $14,000. Because I could not afford school any other way. Its ridiculous...I don't even know if I'll be able to afford the last two years of undergrad, let alone get my Master's or go to law school.
What really gets me though is that I'm the 5th generation in my family to go to college...my great great grandparents who's parents were BORN slaves got degrees (a few even held master's) and now its the 21st century and I can't afford school.

Chloe of IL 10:51PM October 01, 2009