Loans beyond COA?? Need advice... Forum

[adampres]

The estimated COA for the school I'm attending is pretty low, especially because I've got a family. I've got a scholarship to cover most of tuition, and outside help to cover most of my needs beyond the official COA, but I still need a few thousand to cover moving across the country, rent, first month's deposit, etc, etc.
My understanding is that the only option for this is an uncertified student loan, and the only lender offering uncertified loans is Wells Fargo with their Education Connection loan. I was rejected for that, and because of my credit history I can't have a cosigner for that loan (which I am planning on using for my federal loans).
Any ideas? Or am I up a creek without a moving truck or an apartment?
Is a signature/personal bank loan with a cosigner my only option?
Thanks.

[Ipsa Dixit]

I'd get a second job and sell most of my stuff to raise the money.

[The Brainalist]

This is why you do student apartments. I think they are usually more lenient with coordinating the timing of 1st month's rent with your loan check. For travel, its cash or credit, dude. But that's just the cost of gas and maybe a tent, eh?

[AP-375]

Thanks for the responses. Plenty to think about...

[Dany]

Have you talked to the Financial Aid Office to see if they can increase your COA budget?

[Hippononymous]

Have you talked to the Financial Aid Office to see if they can increase your COA budget?

+1

They may be able to drop your EFC if you're currently working but won't be once you start school.

[CoriOlivia]

Depending on the ages of kids, I know many schools will adjust the COA to include childcare expenses.

[Ipsa Dixit]

My understanding is that you need money for a move and expenses for a establishing a new place to live before school starts. I am not sure an increase in COA is going to help you with the expenses unless the school distributes loan money before the semester starts (and long enough before that you would have time to move).

Your school would have to answer the question of when loans are distributed, but at mine, it wasn't until about 3 weeks into the semester.

[Dany]

I've got a scholarship to cover most of tuition, and outside help to cover most of my needs beyond the official COA, but I still need a few thousand to cover moving across the country, rent, first month's deposit, etc, etc.

I don't understand why this outside help couldn't be used up front rather than during the semester? I think he just meant that those extra expenses require more money, not that their timing was the issue (but perhaps I'm wrong). Regardless, OP you need to call your school's financial aid office as soon as possible. From my experience, they're more than willing to help.