Houston 2015 Forum

[Titleist]

What's the consensus on living in the area east of the school?

Probably a no. Refer to the map on the second page. I guess if you go outside the loop east of campus you could be fine. But then why live that far away?

[mtyler19]

What's the consensus on living in the area east of the school?

Probably a no. Refer to the map on the second page. I guess if you go outside the loop east of campus you could be fine. But then why live that far away?

Yeah the apartments are like northeast of the school, it's only about 15 mins away. We went looking this past weekend and couldn't find anything in our price range that was...safe. So frustrating.

[fruitoftheloom]

mytler - I'm apartment hunting now (live w/in houston, changing apartments). Have you checked har.com? There are apartments within the loop for less than $600-700, they're just not going to be fancy.

[Titleist]

What's the consensus on living in the area east of the school?

Probably a no. Refer to the map on the second page. I guess if you go outside the loop east of campus you could be fine. But then why live that far away?

Yeah the apartments are like northeast of the school, it's only about 15 mins away. We went looking this past weekend and couldn't find anything in our price range that was...safe. So frustrating.

I'm going early June to hopefully find something. I have been checking craigslist daily and my GF is going to try and talk to a real estate agent to see if they can help. We also know a real estate agent and are hoping to get access to MLS.


Just looking at craigslist I have found some nice places for around 1k a month in Montrose and around Rice.

[mtyler19]

What's the consensus on living in the area east of the school?

Probably a no. Refer to the map on the second page. I guess if you go outside the loop east of campus you could be fine. But then why live that far away?

Yeah the apartments are like northeast of the school, it's only about 15 mins away. We went looking this past weekend and couldn't find anything in our price range that was...safe. So frustrating.

I'm going early June to hopefully find something. I have been checking craigslist daily and my GF is going to try and talk to a real estate agent to see if they can help. We also know a real estate agent and are hoping to get access to MLS.


Just looking at craigslist I have found some nice places for around 1k a month in Montrose and around Rice.

I guess we were trying to find something for less than that since we're wanting a 2 br, but I didn't realize how much more expensive it is there than in Dallas. Oh well, my SO is going back this weekend so hopefully he finds something.

On another note, don't you love how we have to send the commitment form back by 6/8, but we still don't have our financial aid packages?

[sjwest]

On another note, don't you love how we have to send the commitment form back by 6/8, but we still don't have our financial aid packages?

Was just about to comment on this.

Arg. I'm really on the fence about law school. I'd love some insight on why some of you are choosing to attend law school. I'd also love some devil's advocacy. I'm trying to see both sides fully.

I'm also slightly concerned about my relationship surviving law school (I'll be working full time, law school nights). I live with him, but I can see him feeling neglected.

[Titleist]

sjwest, pm.

[sjwest]

So my financial aid package is up. Didn't receive an email, just logged onto MyUH to check.

No grant, though my EFC was non-zero. It looks like they only took into account Room and Board and completely excluded tuition and EVERYTHING else. I only received an offer for $10,200 in loans for the YEAR.

Everyone check yours and let me know if you have the same problems. You can check the Cost of Attendance break down by checking financial aid. The link path is:

View Financial Aid --> 2013 --> Financial Aid Summary --> The number next to "Estimated Financial Aid Budget"

That will show you the number they calculated for your cost of attendance. Mine ONLY takes into account Room and Boards ($5,100 a semester).

Maybe it's because I'm part time? Anyone else have any insight on this?

Edit: I just emailed financial aid to get the facts straight. Could very well be that they haven't finished putting them together, thus the lack of email. I'll update you guys with info when I get some.

[sjwest]

It was an individual problem with my account. It's since been remedied. If any of you have the same problem, email Ms. Neal. She fixed me right up!

[mtyler19]

I got an email and just checked it. My scholarship isn't showing up, is anyone else having the same issue? My estimated budget shows the full COA, but my package definitely doesn't come close to meeting that. FML

[sjwest]

Yea I asked Laura about that as well, she said scholarships will be entered end of June/ beginning of July. They're not in there yet.

[mtyler19]

Yea I asked Laura about that as well, she said scholarships will be entered end of June/ beginning of July. They're not in there yet.

Omg annoying. Must be really frustrating for accepted people who wanted to compare FA packages with other schools before committing.

[sjwest]

Furthermore, you're only eligible for $20,500 dollars in Federal loans per year. http://www.direct.ed.gov/applying.html

The rest of it will have to be PLUS loans or another type, which actually has a separate application, IIRC. Email financial aid about it, and I'm sure they'll direct you to the proper resources.

http://law.uh.edu/financialaid/borrower.asp

[Titleist]

So I received a 2k grant and around 20k in loans. Is that the max that UHLC will offer? It is definitely not enough.

[sjwest]

See my previous post. That's just the Federal Direct loan max. That's all we all were awarded.

[sjwest]

The email they just sent out in supplement explains this:

Direct Grad Plus Loan: UH chose not to automatically award this loan since it requires a credit check. Students can initiate a 2012-2013 grad plus loan to fill the gap up to the COE minus any other financial aid/awards beginning June 8 by logging into http://www.studentloans.gov and ‘Complete a PLUS Request Process’. You will be asked if you want the maximum eligibility (the loan will be processed up to the COA minus any other award) or a specific dollar amount, not to exceed the COA.

[Titleist]

Awesome that explains a lot.

Maybe you know sjwest, do excess loan amounts spill in to the next year if I over estimate?

[sjwest]

Well, whatever isn't used to pay off tuition and fees and school expenses (which they take out of the loan amount before you see a dime) is issued to you as a check/Higher Card/ Direct deposit. After that, its your money. It's in your bank account or on your debit card for you to use as you like. They don't keep track of it after that point.

Short answer is yes, it rolls over. You can use the money left over in your bank account to pay a part of tuition in cash if you want, but it would be easier to just always let loans cover that and use the excess to pay for rent the following year and reduce your PLUS loan account for the following academic year.

[Titleist]

So did some quick math: Tuition- loan received today- grant received today - scholarship = + $180. I'm already making money off of this law school thing.

[sjwest]

Haha! Awesome! That'll pay for gas foooooor... about 1 month

[mtyler19]

So did some quick math: Tuition- loan received today- grant received today - scholarship = + $180. I'm already making money off of this law school thing.

So jealous!

[mtyler19]

Has anyone had any luck trying to negotiate at this point? I guess it would be more like begging by now.

[Titleist]

When is the deadline to turn in the seat security form? I would guess after that might be a chance to negotiate since they will know who is going and who is not going.

[sjwest]

Um. Today. I hope you've all sent it in!

[kirker]

Just happened to see this thread before hitting the hay. I TOTALLY forgot about the form, but e-mailed it in with a scant 30 minutes to spare!