With college comes complication
Since I’m starting college in the fall, I have to find money to pay for all my expenses, tuition, rent, etc. I got a $2000 academic scholarship and then a $2000 grant for the first year, which is great. But then I have to take out loans for the rest. I qualify for the government loans and the school’s financial aid office has helped with that, but we’ve had to jump through all kinds of hoops and it’s still not quite over yet. First, we had to submit my FAFSA. It asked so many detailed questions about money, it was worse than filing a tax return, I kid you not. Then I didn’t put something right on it so I had to go back, correct and resubmit it, thus waiting even longer. 
So then we were “awarded” the loan packages. I had to accept them, and then go fill out separate applications with the government and then fill out identical forms with the lending institution. And there’s still things I’m leaving out that my mom did. I had no idea how complicated going to college was. It doesn’t seem so bad now that it’s mostly over, but it seemed super difficult during the process.
I also have to find an apartment, which is a task all on its own. I’ve been looking at rent.com and found some good places that let us have Copper. I called around and found out how much rent/utilities and everything is at the different places. Now I’m ready to go look at them in a couple weeks and make a final decision. That is something I’m looking forward to. I can’t wait to move out. Mom also bought us a new mattress. It’s a queen size, which is nice. That reminds me I need to look around and see if anyone has a cheap wooden bed for sale so we don’t just have the metal frame. I’m glad to finally get out of this double bed that is awful. It was a cheap mattress when it was new and now it’s a few years old so it’s worse. When Don sits on it, I roll toward him, which is kind of funny, but not the best way to sleep.
Jem gave me back my old QBee number 43. XD I had that number with my old personal site for a long time. Which reminds me my quilt layout is a little off on some of the pages and I’m not sure why…I need to fix that.
Comments
Jul 5, 2007
Skye
You’re lucky that you qualify for financial aid and help… I never did because my family didn’t fall within the range where I ‘needed’ help… of course, that would have only worked if they had given me money. Sigh.
Copper is such a cutie. Too bad it has to be an apartment though. Make sure you find one close to heaps of places to walk!
Jul 6, 2007
Patty
i wouldn’t know about tax returns, but the FAFSA did take forever to fill out. and that was crazy. hmm i think you might want to check out IKEA. it’s a really cheap-everything store. and i bet you will find a nice wooden bed to put that queen mattress you just got =]
Jul 7, 2007
Jose
Looking around for a new apartment sounds fun. Good luck on finding the right one. ^_^
Jul 8, 2007
Cassie
Hey there! Yeah, college seems such a stressful thing to apply for! I’m kind of scared to leave everything I’ve ever known. Two more years, though. Thankfully, ha! Hmm…good luck with your apartment searches! Sounds so exciting! Take care!
Jul 8, 2007
Rosie
I had no idea that student loans in the US were that complicated but at least you are getting a bit of support. One of my friends couldn’t apply because the aid office thought that if her parents were paying for her brother’s education at a more expensive uni, they would be able to pay hers as well. Good luck finding an apartment, I second the IKEA furniture option.
Jul 9, 2007
Irene
Yes, the FAFSA does ask detailed questions, and is almost as bad as filing one’s taxes. You almost have to give the government your first born, in order to get any money for school. *lol* I wish you lots of luck with that, and in your apartment hunting.
/despair
Jul 11, 2007
Christine
It is very complicated you got through it though
Check out Ikea they have bed frames pretty cheap and really nice ones. Good luck with finding a place!
Jul 11, 2007
Robmarie
I absolutely LOATHE filling out the FAFSA year after year — there’s really no need for so much bureaucracy. Did you apply for work-study also? I didn’t think work-study would help me so much until I actually started working. I was lucky enough to have no university debt once I started working, so I got to enjoy my paycheck!
Jul 13, 2007
Becca
Good luck with all your school stuff. I know how much of a pain in the butt it can be filling out all the paper work and stuff. Hopefully you will wind up with enough money to cover everything you need. My financial aid does and I usually wind up getting some of it in a check by the middle of the semester.
ehh…house hunting. When I get ready to move out (even though my parents won’t like it) I’m going to live with my boyfriend. Luckly he has a place of his own now. I praticly live there now…I’m just not allowed to stay the night. :/ That will all change the end of October.
I’ll stop jabbering now…
Jul 13, 2007
Kelly
Sounds very complicated, filling out all those forms,Goodluck with the flat hunting!
Jul 14, 2007
Charlene
Ahh the joy of finding ways to fund college. I had it easy thankfully but from what I heard from friends it was one big headache for them. Hopefully things will go more smoothly now in that department.
To me it was fun moving out of the house I live din all my life and looking for an apartment. My boyfriend, now husband, and I moved into an apartment near the college I was attending. It was some of the best times of my life.
Jul 15, 2007
Amy
Can I have your emoticons? They’re so cute!
Mine look stupid..
This theme is so nice
Sorry I haven’t been around for a while.
Jul 15, 2007
Jay
Atleast you got through the FAFSA papers. Good luck finding an apartment. I had to find an apartment too. It wasn’t much fun. Congrats on the new mattress. Best of luck talk to you later bye.
Jul 18, 2007
naimah (lilnichi)
aww that sux you had to take out loans. I’ll be in college next year and I really hope that I’ll get enough scholarships that I won’t have to take out any loans. I don’t wanna even think about paying anyone back. I hope you’ve been looking at scholarship sites and signing up for their scholarships. I need to get started myself. Hope things are lookin’ up for ya. Chow!
Jul 18, 2007
Espoire
Good luck with college! i’m starting too. Visit my site somtimes!!
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