How can i pay for college?

[nean7657]

I am 22 and have 3 children., i was go to school, as u cant make money without an education. I havent been to school since i graduated highschool, so i need to start my prereqs from scratch. The thing is, i cant afford to go to school, we have three kids and any extra money well it doesnt happen very often, so i wanted financial aid. WHen i applied i was told, because i dont work myself, ( i am a stay at home mom coz ifi worked it would just pay childcare so there wouldnt be any point) and me and there dad arent married, they look at what my parents earn, and that is way to much so i cant get financial aid.Is there any way other way to get money to pay for college. I so need to get my life startedI was trying to go to rio salado online, it is easier for me to do my preqeqs that way so i dont have to find child care

[SeanR]

all cash

[TrentE]

join the military they will give you loans.

[Fink2993]

If you don't live or are a dependent of your parents, you shouldn't have a problem getting financial aid.

[neniaf5221]

If you haven't lived with your parents for several years, and they haven't claimed you on their income tax, you should be able to get financial aid on your own merits, without asking for your parents' income. I suspect you presented things to the financial aid people in a way that made them think you were still dependent on your parents. If you had told them that you lived with your partner and three children for the past four years or so, I don't think they would have brought your parents into it.You should very much be eligible for financial aid, probably both grants and other forms of aid. If not, just start out taking one class at a time at a community college. This is very inexpensive, and even on a very tight budget, you should be able to afford it by prioritizing. Once you are into school, things might be different. I also have to wonder where you went where you were told that you couldn't get financial aid. Was it a for-profit school, as opposed to a not-for-profit? They make a lot of money from signing people up for expensive loans, and I'm not sure I would trust what they told you at all.

[rugratx2]

You are in a tough spot but it is great that you want to go back to school.I would start by applying at a Junior college. Focus on getting your Associates Degree which is the 2 year program. It is significantly cheaper than a 4 year college. After you get the AA you can work on getting an advanced degree.As for the money. Tough spot. Would your parents consider giving you a personal loan? Any other famile member who could offer a personal loan?If not, then you have to raise the money yourself since, for now, financial aid won't work. You could watch someone elses child to earn some money...you are already home with your kids so take in 1-2 more. Check the laws in your state but in most states you do not need a license to provide daycare if you have less than 6 kids in the house. Have a garage sale or bake sale to raise some money. Have a car wash and see if family and friends would help you do it.Sell something like Pampered Chef or Avon..something where there is no front money and you earn a commission. This way you can earn money but set your own hours.Don't focus on going back into school full time. Just take 1-2 classes at a time as you can afford them. Slow and steady will work then you can pay as you go instead of accumulating a bunch of debt. When you transefer to a 4-year university then you'll only have 2 years left and can get a loan for that. By then you have shown your determination and 4 year colleges have decent loan programs.It will be hard work and you will have to be creative in raising the money but it can be done.Also, remember, the books are the most expensive part of a junior college...buy used from other students if you can. Check on-line at Ebay or someplace so you can cut costs from every angle.Good luck.

[Found-18567]

On the fafsa application there are questions that ask about your "dependency". One of them is if you are married, another is if you have kids who live with you and you provide support to. You need to answer "YES" to this question. You do have children you support, you put them to bed, take care of them when they throw up, clean up after them, wash their laundry and read them a bedtime story! Trust me, you work!! This will make you not have to report your parents income. Where it asks on worksheet B is anyone "Paid anything on your behalf" then you might consider putting any monetary amount your boyfriend paid for you or your children to support them. Or another option is to list yourself as common law married, then you would not have to include your parents income and you would then report his income on your fafsa (along with your children - 5 people in the household). YOU SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR NOT GETTING MARRIED or staying home to take care of your kids! If you have more questions call the Dept of Education directly at 1-800-4FEDAID and they can talk with you one on one more in detail about your specific situation. Don't let some "clerk" behind the fin aid counter at a school hinder your desire to go to school. Even if they talk with you in great length and still make you report your parents income, (which can be appealed through your schools finanical aid office by the way) you will still be eligile for student loans if your parents make a lot of money.