Georgia State University c/o 2015 (2011-2012 cycle) Forum

[howell]

I'M IN!!!!!!!
Finally!! SO excited.

Congrats!

In another post, you mentioned you were deciding between GSU and George Mason. Why those two schools? It seems location would be the deciding factor (and paying at least twice as much at George Mason).

[Ga0-3L]

I'M IN!!!!!!!
Finally!! SO excited.

No question - you're coming to GSU! Best value, close to home...

Love the Undergrad by the way Hooty Hoo (finally said that.. all these years... just now said it)

[kroakstool]

I'M IN!!!!!!!
Finally!! SO excited.

No question - you're coming to GSU! Best value, close to home...

Love the Undergrad by the way Hooty Hoo (finally said that.. all these years... just now said it)

second this. Go owls!!

[ahenson7]

I'M IN!!!!!!!
Finally!! SO excited.

No question - you're coming to GSU! Best value, close to home...

Love the Undergrad by the way Hooty Hoo (finally said that.. all these years... just now said it)

I'M IN!!!!!!!
Finally!! SO excited.

Congrats!

In another post, you mentioned you were deciding between GSU and George Mason. Why those two schools? It seems location would be the deciding factor (and paying at least twice as much at George Mason).

Thank you so much!! I'm glad someone's deciding for me. I'm at a total loss lol.

I'm deciding between GSU and GMU for entirely different reasons... GSU because, financially, it's a steal and I love Atlanta. It's close to home, cost of living is realistic for my situation, and it's more in my comfort zone. GMU because my "dream" is to live and work in D.C... I can't help but believe it would be easier to get my foot in the door if I graduated from a D.C. school. However, George Mason is easily 3x the cost. We're talking $300k in debt upon graduation vs a little over $100k at Georgia State.

I recognize that this post veers off topic a little, so feel free to PM me, but I would appreciate any input!

[Ga0-3L]

We're talking $300k in debt upon graduation vs a little over $100k

I'm trying to imagine how hard it will be to live in D.C. under the crushing weight of 300k.. have you run a calculator to estimate your monthly payment?

[ahenson7]

We're talking $300k in debt upon graduation vs a little over $100k

I'm trying to imagine how hard it will be to live in D.C. under the crushing weight of 300k.. have you run a calculator to estimate your monthly payment?

Yep... if my calculations are correct, it would be ~2,000 a month for ten years. An average GMU salary is supposedly 150k from what I've read on the profiles here... but it still seems scary. Even with GSU's average salary being nearly half, I'm assuming paying GSU loans back wouldn't hurt nearly as much.

Financially, it's a no-brainer. I'm just wondering whether to chase a dream or do the rational thing.

[Ga0-3L]

Eek. You're talkin' big numbers. I think my head 'sploded.

[ahenson7]

Eek. You're talkin' big numbers. I think my head 'sploded.

That seems to be everyone's reaction... I'm starting to wonder if I'm psycho for even considering George Mason. Hmm.

[ahenson7]

That seems to be everyone's reaction... I'm starting to wonder if I'm psycho for even considering George Mason. Hmm.

Given mediocre job prospects out of GMU in the most competitive and saturated legal market in the country, I'd say so.

You're from Atlanta and like it here. GSU is dirt cheap. Take it and don't look back unless crippling debt is desirable.

Touche. I'm not 100% sold on GSU yet, but I'm definitely leaning that way!

[bluebubble05]

I just called Financial Aid about getting in-state tuition for 2L. She made it sound like once I start school, I won't be able to qualify for in-state tuition. Anyone has insight?

And does anyone know about subsidized loans? She said starting next school year, no grad/law student will be able to receive it

[Ga0-3L]

I just called Financial Aid about getting in-state tuition for 2L. She made it sound like once I start school, I won't be able to qualify for in-state tuition. Anyone has insight?

And does anyone know about subsidized loans? She said starting next school year, no grad/law student will be able to receive it

They have done away with subsidized loans but they've upped unsubsidized loans... it's 10500 per semester max. Then there are plus loans to cover living expenses (if needed) but they are credit based (nothing crazy just can't have adverse credit, your credit score doesn't matter).

Don't know anything about in-state tuition.

[SarahT]

I just called Financial Aid about getting in-state tuition for 2L. She made it sound like once I start school, I won't be able to qualify for in-state tuition. Anyone has insight?

And does anyone know about subsidized loans? She said starting next school year, no grad/law student will be able to receive it

Starting 2012-2013 school year....

[MediocrePerfection]

I've been wondering about the in-state tuition thing as well. I am OOS, but will be moving to Atlanta this summer and my fiance will be working for the state. Since we will be married before my second year, and will have established residency for over a year, the way the policy is written seems to suggest that in-state tuition should be attainable. Anyone have more insight on the topic?

[bluebubble05]

I've been wondering about the in-state tuition thing as well. I am OOS, but will be moving to Atlanta this summer and my fiance will be working for the state. Since we will be married before my second year, and will have established residency for over a year, the way the policy is written seems to suggest that in-state tuition should be attainable. Anyone have more insight on the topic?

I think you'll have a better chance of qualifying specifically because you'll be married to someone working. You could pm me your email, I'll forward you the Petition for Tuition Classification Denienne Steele emailed me.

[SarahT]

I've been wondering about the in-state tuition thing as well. I am OOS, but will be moving to Atlanta this summer and my fiance will be working for the state. Since we will be married before my second year, and will have established residency for over a year, the way the policy is written seems to suggest that in-state tuition should be attainable. Anyone have more insight on the topic?

I wouldn't count on it.

You have to be an independent student, number one. You have to also show that you moved for reasons other than school. Considering finance took the position before you were married (or on the same 1040), that may not work, because YOU, independent of a legal relationship with HIM/HER, came here for school. Although you may be engaged, that is not a legally recognized relationship, such as a domestic partnership.

On top of that, you have to show residency (ie. lease or purchase of a home), GA drivers license, and the intention or desire of staying in the state after school.

[SarahT]

I've been wondering about the in-state tuition thing as well. I am OOS, but will be moving to Atlanta this summer and my fiance will be working for the state. Since we will be married before my second year, and will have established residency for over a year, the way the policy is written seems to suggest that in-state tuition should be attainable. Anyone have more insight on the topic?

I wouldn't count on it.

You have to be an independent student, number one. You have to also show that you moved for reasons other than school. Considering finance took the position before you were married (or on the same 1040), that may not work, because YOU, independent of a legal relationship with HIM/HER, came here for school. Although you may be engaged, that is not a legally recognized relationship, such as a domestic partnership.

On top of that, you have to show residency (ie. lease or purchase of a home), GA drivers license, and the intention or desire of staying in the state after school.

ALTHOUGH, once you are married, your taxes for that year, if you file joint, will have you both as a GA resident, since he will be paying GA taxes....so, it is worth a shot....

[ahenson7]

I just called Financial Aid about getting in-state tuition for 2L. She made it sound like once I start school, I won't be able to qualify for in-state tuition. Anyone has insight?

And does anyone know about subsidized loans? She said starting next school year, no grad/law student will be able to receive it

They have done away with subsidized loans but they've upped unsubsidized loans... it's 10500 per semester max. Then there are plus loans to cover living expenses (if needed) but they are credit based (nothing crazy just can't have adverse credit, your credit score doesn't matter).

Don't know anything about in-state tuition.

The unsubsidized loan... Is that the one with 6.8% interest? Or is that the PLUS loan? Confused...

[bluebubble05]

I just called Financial Aid about getting in-state tuition for 2L. She made it sound like once I start school, I won't be able to qualify for in-state tuition. Anyone has insight?

And does anyone know about subsidized loans? She said starting next school year, no grad/law student will be able to receive it

They have done away with subsidized loans but they've upped unsubsidized loans... it's 10500 per semester max. Then there are plus loans to cover living expenses (if needed) but they are credit based (nothing crazy just can't have adverse credit, your credit score doesn't matter).

Don't know anything about in-state tuition.

The unsubsidized loan... Is that the one with 6.8% interest? Or is that the PLUS loan? Confused...

Grad Plus is 7.9%, so I guess unsubsidized loan is 6.8%

[ahenson7]

I just called Financial Aid about getting in-state tuition for 2L. She made it sound like once I start school, I won't be able to qualify for in-state tuition. Anyone has insight?

And does anyone know about subsidized loans? She said starting next school year, no grad/law student will be able to receive it

They have done away with subsidized loans but they've upped unsubsidized loans... it's 10500 per semester max. Then there are plus loans to cover living expenses (if needed) but they are credit based (nothing crazy just can't have adverse credit, your credit score doesn't matter).

Don't know anything about in-state tuition.

The unsubsidized loan... Is that the one with 6.8% interest? Or is that the PLUS loan? Confused...

Grad Plus is 7.9%, so I guess unsubsidized loan is 6.8%

Those rates are all far too high. Ugh.

[Ga0-3L]

Grad Plus is 7.9%, so I guess unsubsidized loan is 6.8%

Yep.

[Ga0-3L]

Those rates are all far too high. Ugh.

Too damn high. This guy agrees.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U-yW5eP8m0

[jabberwock12]

Did you all get the grad plus loan automatically or was there an extra application process besides fafsa?

[ahenson7]

Did you all get the grad plus loan automatically or was there an extra application process besides fafsa?

Nope, just needed to fill out the FAFSA.

[Ga0-3L]

Did you all get the grad plus loan automatically or was there an extra application process besides fafsa?

To get the plus loans you have to apply separately and GA State prefers that you apply through their website. I applied already b/c I was pretty sure I would get denied (and I did and then I had time to clear every thing up)... the direct loans are automatically approved after filling out fafsa - plus loans have a separate application because they are credit-based; but you apply through GSU.

You can apply through your one stop shop under Grad Plus pre-approval; but, it's not yet open for the 2012-13 year.

I took a different approach and applied through the .gov website (b/c I thought I'd get rejected b/c I had something erroneous on one of my credit reports)... but GSU said they prefer people to apply through their website so that they get the results back in a timely manner.

Anyway you get to reapply in 90 days (if you are like me and can clear the issue up) or there is an appeals process (if you can set up payment plans if you owe one something that isn't being paid on or what not) but the appeals process is long... that's why I applied early. But if you don't have any adverse credit to worry about then you are supposed to apply through your Paws, under the Plus Loan PreApproval section of your financial aid tab.

[bluebubble05]

Did you all get the grad plus loan automatically or was there an extra application process besides fafsa?

I didn't automatically get grad plus loan; automatically got unsubsidized loan for max available though.