Aidpage

Update: I spoke with a couple people at the Loan Servicing Center and was able to get my loans pulled out of the danger zone for now. By the time this latest round of adjustments expires, I hope to be back in school with the loans deferred until I graduate. =)

Sorry to hear about your struggle...I can identify with your frustration. I've been attending college off and on for over 14 years while dealing with a lifelong disability. I'm not finished yet, either, if I can help it. Paying for school has always been the hardest part of the ordeal for me.

If you remember, exactly what types of financial aid did you say you were interested in when you filled out your FAFSA application? If you wrote down OK to every type of assistance you qualified for: Federal grants, state grants, work/study, and student loans; your school's financial aid office should have asked you whether or not you wanted any loans for Fall semester. If you said no for Fall, then changed your mind, unfortunately there's not much the school can do about that now. And about any scholarships, that's totally the school's choice: if you miss the deadline they decide to set, you're out of luck.

Trust me, the Finanical Aid routine is one of the least enjoyed tasks for any student to deal with...and sometimes crabby or just plain miscommunicating staff people don't make it any easier.  Something doesn't sound right, though, about what you say you were told about the deadlines, and here's why: Your school doesn't ultimately give you Stafford Loans directly. The U.S. Department of Education gives the money to the school, who gives it to you. I'm assuming you filled out the FAFSA application at the beginning of calendar year 2008, or fairly soon after? If not, or if you selected no loans on the app itself, the government's own deadline for turning in all paperwork - including any requested adjustments to, say, add a student loan - for the '08-'09 school year will actually be sometime in June of 2009.

In other words, technically you could wait all the way until June of this new year to turn in your application for federal money, and according to the government's rules, you should then qualify to be paid back for whatever you paid on your own. Of course, this would REALLY be a worst-case scenario and that's probably why your school was so particular about when your paperwork got filed.

Check out this website: www.studentaid.ed.gov. This is the US Gov't-operated Internet space for all things related to students and money. You might be able to call someone, too, who could possibly give you better help. The phone number will be on the website. Sorry this reply got so long, but I hope it gives you something to work with.

Take care and I hope your New Year starts out better! =)
jr

I've been in repayment status on more than $10,000 in student loans since Nov. 7, '08. There's no way that I can pay the more than $100/mo per payment that's being demanded. The two "deferment" options I could have used got lost in my scramble to move closer to my  college of last enrollment. I'm finally ready to move within the next month...yet if my loans default - assuming they aren't already there - my income is gonna take a huge hit.

The only thing I can think to do at this point is call the Loan Servicing Center and plead my case. If someone has any other ideas or thoughts, please let me know. Thanks so much in advance and God bless!

jr

I'm getting ready to move between HUD-subsidized apartments. In my current location, all utilities are included in the monthly lease payment. My new apartment lease will require two utility payments, including electric service. Based on peak averages I received from the electric company, it appears monthly payments will fall within my budget. However, due in part to my less than ideal credit, I must pay a $125 activation deposit before service can be activated.

Here's where it gets complicated: If I occupy my current residence during any calendar day of January '09, I will be billed for the entire month in advance, per my contract terms. If I turn over my keys prior to January 1, no bill. Yet since it is now four days until the end of the year, I will breach my current landlord's 14-day termination notice requirement if I move out during this next week -- and in turn I'll be assessed a 14-day prorated penalty fee.

If, on the other hand, I wait until the second week of January - which is my preference - I will in fact have access to a third-party donation to cover my electric deposit. Yet I will also face two 70%-subsidized lease payments, when I have budgeted for only one payment. I was flatly told by my current landlord that it will take at least 30 days for my prorated refund to be processed...if it shows up at all.

Anyone have experience in this type of obstacle course? I could definitely use some directions. =)

Hey Lola,

After reading your profile entry, I have to chuckle at what so many people who have worked with me over the years have run into the ground as "the" solution for my employment needs: "You should work at a call center. You've got a terrific speaking voice," (true enough); "and besides they're always looking for new people!" Hmmm, I wonder why? =p But seriously, I know my God-given capabilities and I won't settle for anything less than the best that I can make out of my life.

Thanks for the encouragement...much appreciated!  It seems most of the 211 resources are county-dependent. Meaning I have to connect with an agency within my current county of residence, and "consume" the help within the same space. Based on others-driven mobility (pun not necessarily intended *g*), I've found it a huge headache to construct a holistically beneficial plan of action from where I am right now.

Hi Jackie,

I was already dealing with a lifelong physical disability when I developed depression a little more than 12 years ago. I had just started my third full year of college when a family death put me in a tailspin. Since then I've tried off and on to continue, with not much overall success. I can totally identify with 'pentaluda' and also appreciate her encouragement to see each step as a victory. After all, mountains can only be climbed step by step. :o)

PS: Thanks, Jackie, for that 'Free Computers' info...that is the right link, after all.

I'm a disabled young adult living on my own. I received home schooling throughout my K-12 years, and obtained a GED certificate instead of a high school diploma. I have some college education, but no official degree. Because of my lack of rigorous classroom experience, my progress through college has been really slow: 14 years and counting to be exact. I currently don't have a job and receive "supplemental" income from the government.

Starting in my college years I came down with a bad case of "plastic-itis": defined as enough consumer debt to buy a decent midsize car. This has left me with zero financial leverage toward establishing myself as a working citizen, instead of someone who takes taxpayer handouts when I may not have to. Given the financial crisis going on worldwide, I don't know how quickly my goals will be realized.

I've been told that many people would envy the position I'm in: guaranteed monthly income and mostly free health care (through Federal and State support programs). After reading about how badly some people are struggling to get what I too often take for granted, I can certainly count my blessings; and I pray for help for each and every place where there is critical need.

Regardless of affiliation or orientation, I hope that we can all experience a measure of peace during this time of so much chaos.

Best Wishes,
"Wayne" L.