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 Posted: Tue Sep 22, 2009 11:18 pm
Well, here's my problem. I'm only in my second year of college and already I'm having a tough time paying for it. My family is considered (REALLY) low middle class. The problem is that we made just barely enough to be in the next highest tax bracket and all, so I got screwed on my financial aid, big time. So this year, even after getting all the money I can from the government and maxing out my loans, my estimated family contribution is still over $3,000 for the year. I'm not even going to a private school or anything! My family was never in a good place financially, even before the economy went bad, so this is a great deal of money for me.
So now I'm scared that I need to drop out of college because I can't afford this. The financial aid office is already hounding me for money and I have a hold on my account. I won't be able to register for next semester unless I pay off this semester's bill.
I'm terrified. I want this more than anything in my whole life. This is my dream. If I have to give this up, I'll be crushed. Would God really do this? Am I not meant for it or something?
On the other hand, last year I faced this same problem, but somehow, miraculously, I managed to eek out just enough money at the last minute. So does God really do want me to do this? I forget the quote, but is this one of those cases that have do to with that one verse that talks about how 'God provides for birds and stuff, aren't you greater than them so don't worry', kind of things?
I'm so scared and confused and I keep getting mixed signals. I've been praying about it but I just don't know... what do you guys think?
P.S. I'm going for my Ph.D. so I'm going to be in student loans up to my eyeballs for the rest of my life... burning_eyes
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Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:57 am
Wow... I read this and I found your situation extremely relateable. It was almost eerie. I feel like I'm just miraculously getting buy considering mine and my family's financial situation. I'm too afraid to even think about graduate school because of all the debt I'm already accumulating...
Sometimes I second think if going to college is even a good investment.
Sorry, I guess this wasn't helpful or uplifting at all; just thought I'd let you know that there are others going through the same thing.
Anyone else have advice, reasurrance, or in the same situation?
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Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 10:39 am
Without delving into more than I feel comfortable with, I'll just say I'm in the same situation as you both and have been there for a long time. xd I only can offer one tiny bit of advice. Don't worry about it; it seems the more I worry about it the more it becomes problematic because it's always in the forefront of my mind. When I don't worry about it and go with the flow (as cliche' as it sounds) things have a way of working themselves out.
This is my last semester as a student (starting next semester I'll be taking one or two classes just to keep my skills up), so I know exactly how hard it is and having to spend a lot of my family's money on medicine (because I'm diabetic, too) AND school ANNND general maintence for the cars, house, etc. I know how hard it is to keep money in your pocket. sweatdrop
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Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 7:30 pm
honestly, the hardest thing in the world is trusting God will provide.
i know it's hard, i'm in a similar boat, but you just have to pray that God will provide. who knows, maybe you'll be blessed and find out you have just enough (which is really all you need)
good luck, i'll pray on it for you along with my own situation!
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Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 11:32 am
I'm not in college yet, but I do know how money flies out of the bank and how hard it is to pay for things.
I live in a family of 6 plus 2 pets. Even though my parents make decent livings, its still hard. Back when I was little, my dad lost his job for a year and a half. It was hard. I can tell you though, we got by, and decently, I would say. God provided.
That verse you spoke of is the right one, and it is the one I would pray about. God provides, just trust. Let your anxiety leave you, and let trust fill in its place. You'll find God works things out, if you let him. : )
I'll keep you in my prayers! : )
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Posted: Mon May 24, 2010 7:27 am
Ok, first of all, I'd like to state the obvious. It's something you probably already know but that all of us sometimes have a problem focusing on.
Challenges are NOT God's way of trying to discourage us. When things turn hard, it's not necessarily because God's trying to make us stop in our tracks, but because God is trying to do something amazing through us. Just look at all the stories in the bible. Things always get tough right before something miraculous happens.
So first off, I'd say trust that God will get you through this. I mean, you'll have to do your part, but God will support you the whole way. Second, pray about it for a while. If you're doubting that this is where God wants you, it might not just be because of financial doubts. So pray about it. Spend some time in God's presence talking to him and letting him talk to you about this. Maybe you've already done this, maybe not, but I think it would help you really discern where God wants you.
Now, moving on to the financial issues. I do have a few suggestions.
1. What is your major? I know there are a lot of programs out there with loan forgiveness for certain careers. For example, there are programs for teachers that will pay off all undergraduate loans and help pay for grad school. Maybe look into some of those different programs and, if you can, modify the classes you take to get your major so that you could also be eligible for those.
2. Maybe hold off on grad school for a year or so. There are a lot of companies (depending on what job field you go into) who will help their employees through grad school. This would also give you some time to earn a little extra cash to go towards tuition.
3. If you need to, take a semester off. A lot of colleges will let you sit out for one quarter or semester and then come back in the next term. This would give you a little extra time to work and earn some money, while not having to pay tuition that term.
4. Have your parents stop claiming you as a dependent on their taxes. If they do this, they won't be able to claim those tax breaks, but you will get a lot more money from financial aid because you won't have that $3,000 from your parents factoring in.
I'm not sure about what red tape you need to go through, or even whether this is a viable option for you, but I do have a friend who did this at the end of her freshman year, and it worked really well for her.
5. Go in and talk to the people at your college's financial aid office. Maybe they'll have more suggestions for you.
Good luck.
I've had to worry about money this year as well, and it's no fun at all. Hopefully everything works out for you.
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Posted: Mon Jul 26, 2010 3:50 pm
I doubt this situation invloves too much divine intervention. everyone that I know who has a PhD says that their financial situation was a mess for a very long time. my philosophy teacher told me that at one point he only had 75 dollars to his name. if your troubles are caused by anything bigger than yourself it's probably just the college administration knowing that you want to be called a doctor by the people you look up to, and you're willing to go through alot for it.
you have to pay more because you are attending class longer, but you will also make more money if you apply the degree to whereever you'll work. so it'll work out in the end. definitely ask God for help, but don't feel the need to think he's the one putting you through all of the trouble.
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