College Blues

*Spitfire* · 10-27-2006, 08:04 PM

Well I'm screwed. In order for me to go to film school I have to pay my way. The grant I got that my entire family was told by the VA was going to pay for everything.

We get to the school and do the paperwork and find out...that the VA won't pay for the Academy Of Arts....they will pay for UC's though but none of them really have half as good of a film program as AOA....This is such a downer. Everyones depressed and my Step Dad feels like a complete jerk. And it's not his fault at all the VA screwed us over.

What sucks the most is I paid 500 to sign up for a dorm, 100 to apply, and 140 to pick classes. I already paid all that and It's non-refundable....One semester is 7 grand and the dorm is 5 grand plus expenses like classroom fees. The VA will send me a check for 800 each month I'm in school which is 4 a semester. It doesn't even begin to cover anything. I'll need most of that money for food and living expenses....

Sorry I had to get that off my chest. Kinda sucks having your dream smashed.

*iris* · 10-27-2006, 08:18 PM

Aw, don't give up. There are ways to finance your education.

Me, I took out tuition loans, and worked at the university. Lots of people do that. I worked almost all the way through school, and it was good because I got to know a lot of the professionals that way.

Have you talked to the Academy's financial aid office about alternatives?

*Spitfire* · 10-27-2006, 08:20 PM

Yeah were going to try that tonight. Cal Grant and the other one. Hopefully it's enough to cover it all >_<

Peanut · 10-27-2006, 08:20 PM

Or you can drop out of school and make tons of cash at an easy job like me! School is for suckers!

*Voltron* · 10-27-2006, 08:23 PM

I think it's wonderfully ironic that the only one of us living the American Dream is a Canadian.

**Jo Dawn** · 10-27-2006, 08:36 PM

Heh...

Your dreams aren't smashed, dear... You just have to work hard to get through school. I had one scholarship, but I paid for it all other than that, by working.

Other than that, look into different grants you are eligible for or take out student loans.

愛 · 10-27-2006, 08:41 PM

You could've posted this in the Emo thread, aka the Cafe. Oh dang, I said it.

But yeah, that really sucks. College is pretty exclusive when it comes to grants and stuff like that. My college is pretty expensive, and I expect to be paying the loans off for a good while.

*Spitfire* · 10-27-2006, 08:42 PM

Well by my dreams being smashed I mean, I worked hard in High School to keep a 3.0 GPA, which was hard because I had screwed up the first 2 years of high school by goofing off. So my last 2 years I worked my ass off to get decent grades so I could have the grant. And now I find out I did that for virtually nothing. I wouldn't have applied to such an expensive school if I knew I wasn't going to have that grant to back it up. My parents don't want me to take out loans so I have to rely on government aid and my parents paying for it.

I could go to another school *Like a UC* but they don't have any good film courses and my parents and me both don't want me to major in something I won't be happy with. I guess we're stubborn yes theres an alternative and a possibility that it can still work out. I'm just still bummed that it didn't work out the way I was lead to believe it would for the past 8 years of my life.

With the kinda job I hope to get from this school though I will hopefully be making good money and I can make it up to them.

*iris* · 10-27-2006, 09:25 PM

I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you thought it would. But it's not a lost cause here.

Your hard work in HS is worth cash right now, because grade records are a factor in who gets financial aid. Someone with a 2.0 would not see the opportunities you have earned yourself by getting higher marks.

I don't know how you think student loans work, but people don't usually end up relying on gov't aid or their parents to pay for it. You pay back the money as you can, when you get your job after college.

Though really, I paid for a lot of mine at the same time as I went to school, so afterward I didn't have as much to pay off. I made like $5000 from part-time work each semester and also took on more work in the summer. That put a huge dent in the bills. I was dirt poor in college... but I was in good company.

I recommend seeing if you can actually get a job or paid internship from the school or someone the school knows... it's a good school right? Don't they have contacts for their students?

Whatever you do, keep asking for more options until you get something. Don't let anyone tell you there's nothing else you can do.

*Katie* · 10-27-2006, 09:26 PM

I agree with JD.

No one helped me with college. I knew as soon as I finished High School that if I wanted to go to college I would have to find a way to finance it. I worked my tail off.

I got scholarships (I wrote 3500 letters my senior year of high school to EVERY organization offering money) I had a full time and a part time job. I worked for the school. (and I went to a private university, not a community or public college. It wasn't cheap.) Things can be done.

Nothing I have ever achieved was just handed to me. I have fought tooth and nail for everything I have.

So what? Things didn't turn out the way you expected. Don't give up and curl into a pity ball...FIGHT!!

*Hannah* · 10-27-2006, 10:01 PM

My daddy's parents didn't pay for him to go to College, and now we're in debt. :C

*JameO* · 10-31-2006, 03:38 PM

Canada is where its at, government pays for most of your education, giving more people the chance to go to school and get a good job, without paying off a debt 10 years later.

**Barkworm** · 10-31-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JameO

Canada is where its at, government pays for most of your education, giving more people the chance to go to school and get a good job, without paying off a debt 10 years later.

Yup, same thing here. Although our conservative party is trying to change this by introducing huge fees...

*Dr. Doom* · 10-31-2006, 05:42 PM

Damned conservatives! -=shakes fist=-

**Barkworm** · 10-31-2006, 05:46 PM

Seriously, if you're a college student here it's the number one party NOT to vote. Luckily I'll be finished with my crap before I have to pay anything.

*Dr. Doom* · 10-31-2006, 05:50 PM

In Russia, conservative votes for you!

*Cascadia* · 11-02-2006, 11:57 PM

Anybody want my life?? I am in a Master's program which costs a ton of money. I do not get any gas money for my travels back and forth between my apartment and my teaching placement. The tuition is very expensive.. Every night, I do not get to bed until 2 AM and I am up at 6 AM. I feel like I am jumping through so many hoops in order to become a teacher. Also, I think that the program that I am is like an endurance test.

*Voltron* · 11-03-2006, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scientific freak

Anybody want my life?? I am in a Master's program which costs a ton of money. I do not get any gas money for my travels back and forth between my apartment and my teaching placement. The tuition is very expensive.. Every night, I do not get to bed until 2 AM and I am up at 6 AM. I feel like I am jumping through so many hoops in order to become a teacher. Also, I think that the program that I am is like an endurance test.

I have your life. It's not pretty. Three degrees at once kills the body and soul.

What's the longest you've ever gone without sleep? I think junior year, first semester, I went three days without. Just to type papers about inequality and injustice...

...like I care...

*Cascadia* · 11-03-2006, 12:07 AM

I have done a week without sleep 3 years ago. I have been in college way too long (10th year). I will be done in 9 months if I can survive that long. I think that the program that I am in definitely costs an arm and a leg. Anyone is welcome to PM me and ask me about how much the program costs....this is a 1 year program.

*iris* · 11-03-2006, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scientific freak

Anybody want my life?? I am in a Master's program which costs a ton of money. I do not get any gas money for my travels back and forth between my apartment and my teaching placement. The tuition is very expensive.. Every night, I do not get to bed until 2 AM and I am up at 6 AM. I feel like I am jumping through so many hoops in order to become a teacher. Also, I think that the program that I am is like an endurance test.

I am about to get your life. I will be slave labor like all the other science grad students, but at least they pay my tuition.

10-27-2006, 08:04 PM	#1
Spitfire Writer • Director Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,035	College Blues Well I'm screwed. In order for me to go to film school I have to pay my way. The grant I got that my entire family was told by the VA was going to pay for everything. We get to the school and do the paperwork and find out...that the VA won't pay for the Academy Of Arts....they will pay for UC's though but none of them really have half as good of a film program as AOA....This is such a downer. Everyones depressed and my Step Dad feels like a complete jerk. And it's not his fault at all the VA screwed us over. What sucks the most is I paid 500 to sign up for a dorm, 100 to apply, and 140 to pick classes. I already paid all that and It's non-refundable....One semester is 7 grand and the dorm is 5 grand plus expenses like classroom fees. The VA will send me a check for 800 each month I'm in school which is 4 a semester. It doesn't even begin to cover anything. I'll need most of that money for food and living expenses.... Sorry I had to get that off my chest. Kinda sucks having your dream smashed. __________________ Check out my online portfolio http://www.christopherpelletier.com/

10-27-2006, 08:18 PM	#2
iris moddy mod mod Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: finally escaped the lab Posts: 1,886	Aw, don't give up. There are ways to finance your education. Me, I took out tuition loans, and worked at the university. Lots of people do that. I worked almost all the way through school, and it was good because I got to know a lot of the professionals that way. Have you talked to the Academy's financial aid office about alternatives? __________________ Appeal to nobler motives. Like pie. [ life is at best bitter sweet ]

10-27-2006, 08:20 PM	#3
Spitfire Writer • Director Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,035	Yeah were going to try that tonight. Cal Grant and the other one. Hopefully it's enough to cover it all >_< __________________ Check out my online portfolio http://www.christopherpelletier.com/

10-27-2006, 08:36 PM	#6
Jo Dawn Inactive Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Authority On All Things Don Posts: 5,190	Heh... Your dreams aren't smashed, dear... You just have to work hard to get through school. I had one scholarship, but I paid for it all other than that, by working. Other than that, look into different grants you are eligible for or take out student loans. __________________

10-27-2006, 08:42 PM	#8
Spitfire Writer • Director Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 12,035	Well by my dreams being smashed I mean, I worked hard in High School to keep a 3.0 GPA, which was hard because I had screwed up the first 2 years of high school by goofing off. So my last 2 years I worked my ass off to get decent grades so I could have the grant. And now I find out I did that for virtually nothing. I wouldn't have applied to such an expensive school if I knew I wasn't going to have that grant to back it up. My parents don't want me to take out loans so I have to rely on government aid and my parents paying for it. I could go to another school Like a UC but they don't have any good film courses and my parents and me both don't want me to major in something I won't be happy with. I guess we're stubborn yes theres an alternative and a possibility that it can still work out. I'm just still bummed that it didn't work out the way I was lead to believe it would for the past 8 years of my life. With the kinda job I hope to get from this school though I will hopefully be making good money and I can make it up to them. __________________ Check out my online portfolio http://www.christopherpelletier.com/

10-27-2006, 08:20 PM	#4
Peanut Second Gear Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The New World Posts: 15,422	Or you can drop out of school and make tons of cash at an easy job like me! School is for suckers!

10-27-2006, 08:23 PM	#5
Voltron Handsomest Boy in School Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Realm of SJW Posts: 4,642	I think it's wonderfully ironic that the only one of us living the American Dream is a Canadian.

10-27-2006, 08:41 PM	#7
愛 Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 7,449	You could've posted this in the Emo thread, aka the Cafe. Oh dang, I said it. But yeah, that really sucks. College is pretty exclusive when it comes to grants and stuff like that. My college is pretty expensive, and I expect to be paying the loans off for a good while.

10-27-2006, 09:25 PM	#9
iris moddy mod mod Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: finally escaped the lab Posts: 1,886	I'm sorry it didn't work out the way you thought it would. But it's not a lost cause here. Your hard work in HS is worth cash right now, because grade records are a factor in who gets financial aid. Someone with a 2.0 would not see the opportunities you have earned yourself by getting higher marks. I don't know how you think student loans work, but people don't usually end up relying on gov't aid or their parents to pay for it. You pay back the money as you can, when you get your job after college. Though really, I paid for a lot of mine at the same time as I went to school, so afterward I didn't have as much to pay off. I made like $5000 from part-time work each semester and also took on more work in the summer. That put a huge dent in the bills. I was dirt poor in college... but I was in good company. I recommend seeing if you can actually get a job or paid internship from the school or someone the school knows... it's a good school right? Don't they have contacts for their students? Whatever you do, keep asking for more options until you get something. Don't let anyone tell you there's nothing else you can do. __________________ Appeal to nobler motives. Like pie. [ life is at best bitter sweet ]

10-27-2006, 09:26 PM	#10
Katie Just...way too serious. Join Date: May 2005 Location: purgatory Posts: 3,519	I agree with JD. No one helped me with college. I knew as soon as I finished High School that if I wanted to go to college I would have to find a way to finance it. I worked my tail off. I got scholarships (I wrote 3500 letters my senior year of high school to EVERY organization offering money) I had a full time and a part time job. I worked for the school. (and I went to a private university, not a community or public college. It wasn't cheap.) Things can be done. Nothing I have ever achieved was just handed to me. I have fought tooth and nail for everything I have. So what? Things didn't turn out the way you expected. Don't give up and curl into a pity ball...FIGHT!! __________________ THE WORLD IS JUST AWESOME

10-27-2006, 10:01 PM	#11
Hannah Once more, with feeling! Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4,111	My daddy's parents didn't pay for him to go to College, and now we're in debt. :C __________________

10-31-2006, 03:38 PM	#12
JameO Mad Scientist Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,753	Canada is where its at, government pays for most of your education, giving more people the chance to go to school and get a good job, without paying off a debt 10 years later. __________________ "Lie, Cheat & Steal, Atleast I'm Honest"

10-31-2006, 05:42 PM	#14
Dr. Doom Allons-y! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Castle Doom Posts: 4,535	Damned conservatives! -=shakes fist=- __________________ I love you, Pickle.

10-31-2006, 05:46 PM	#15
Barkworm Draconian leftist ruler Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 6,752	Seriously, if you're a college student here it's the number one party NOT to vote. Luckily I'll be finished with my crap before I have to pay anything. __________________ Make ****, not kill!

10-31-2006, 05:50 PM	#16
Dr. Doom Allons-y! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Castle Doom Posts: 4,535	In Russia, conservative votes for you! __________________ I love you, Pickle.

11-02-2006, 11:57 PM	#17
Cascadia Oregonian in heart & soul Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,731	Anybody want my life?? I am in a Master's program which costs a ton of money. I do not get any gas money for my travels back and forth between my apartment and my teaching placement. The tuition is very expensive.. Every night, I do not get to bed until 2 AM and I am up at 6 AM. I feel like I am jumping through so many hoops in order to become a teacher. Also, I think that the program that I am is like an endurance test. __________________ Formally known as Scientific freak

11-03-2006, 12:07 AM	#19
Cascadia Oregonian in heart & soul Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 3,731	I have done a week without sleep 3 years ago. I have been in college way too long (10th year). I will be done in 9 months if I can survive that long. I think that the program that I am in definitely costs an arm and a leg. Anyone is welcome to PM me and ask me about how much the program costs....this is a 1 year program. __________________ Formally known as Scientific freak Last edited by Cascadia; 11-03-2006 at 12:14 AM.