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Need housing money, any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 7:53 pm
by Arpedzio
Hello everyone,

I will be attending FSU with a substantial scholarship in the fall. However, financial aid (loans and scholarships) don't disburse until after the semester starts. I estimate I will need approximately $3,500 for books, housing, and the required laptop before that.

Now, my situation is a bit unique. I am a volunteer contracted by the government, earning a living stipend below minimum wage. Orften my work weeks exceed 65 hours, and it's not rare for me to work 7 days a week. Saving money is difficult, since I live on my own. Both of my parents lost their jobs when the economy took a turn for the worse, and are recovering from a foreclosure and a bankrupcy while working minimum wage jobs. So obviously they're not a source of income/loans/gifts.

Summary:

Would like to find second job, but don't have time
Make Very little money
Parents are poor

Do any of you have any suggestions on how I could secure some money before school starts? Would private loans be my only option?

Haven't had a chance to discuss this with the school yet, but will when I have a chance. In the mean time figured it'd be a good idea to ask here.

Thanks

Re: Need housing money, any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:00 pm
by UrbanAchievers
Some schools allow you to make purchases at the bookstore and charge the amount to your account, to be paid when you receive your student loans. Have you considered quitting your volunteer job? I know it sounds harsh, but you'd at least be making minimum wage.

Good luck.

Re: Need housing money, any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 9:54 pm
by Arpedzio
UrbanAchievers wrote:Some schools allow you to make purchases at the bookstore and charge the amount to your account, to be paid when you receive your student loans. Have you considered quitting your volunteer job? I know it sounds harsh, but you'd at least be making minimum wage.

Good luck.
Thanks,

I had forgotten about the school account. That'll definitely be a help. Quitting the volunteering job doesn't sound harsh at all. One of the reason I am sticking with it until the end of my contract is the hefty education voucher (worth much more than I would be able to save even with a significantly higher paying job) that will go towards my tuition once I finish my commitment.

Re: Need housing money, any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 10:04 pm
by WrappedUpInBooks
Why don't you just say AmeriCorps?

Re: Need housing money, any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:13 pm
by Arpedzio
WrappedUpInBooks wrote:Why don't you just say AmeriCorps?
Because everytime I do i get 5 "What is thats" to every "Oh, I know what that is". Even in the internet, where people can actually Google it.

Re: Need housing money, any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:27 pm
by baboon309
Arpedzio wrote:Hello everyone,

I will be attending FSU with a substantial scholarship in the fall. However, financial aid (loans and scholarships) don't disburse until after the semester starts. I estimate I will need approximately $3,500 for books, housing, and the required laptop before that.

Now, my situation is a bit unique. I am a volunteer contracted by the government, earning a living stipend below minimum wage. Orften my work weeks exceed 65 hours, and it's not rare for me to work 7 days a week. Saving money is difficult, since I live on my own. Both of my parents lost their jobs when the economy took a turn for the worse, and are recovering from a foreclosure and a bankrupcy while working minimum wage jobs. So obviously they're not a source of income/loans/gifts.

Summary:

Would like to find second job, but don't have time
Make Very little money
Parents are poor

Do any of you have any suggestions on how I could secure some money before school starts? Would private loans be my only option?

Haven't had a chance to discuss this with the school yet, but will when I have a chance. In the mean time figured it'd be a good idea to ask here.

Thanks
Get a short term loan from prosper.com. Repay it right after u receive your federal loan.

Re: Need housing money, any suggestions?

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:33 pm
by cao0008
I think that if you talk to your school and tell them that you really need money before it is disbursed, they'll give you an emergency loan or something like that. I heard this from a financial aid person at one of the ASD at another school.