How to get rid of student loans before they really start accumulating?
thxbai asked:
I am a college sophomore attending a state school but even so I have already accumulated thousands in student loan debt. I worked 60+ hours a week last summer and that money won’t even last to cover half this year’s rent and utilities! I am trying to cut back spending but really all I buy are groceries and the occasional movie ticket. I don’t even have any transportation costs because the bus is free for students.
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I am a college sophomore attending a state school but even so I have already accumulated thousands in student loan debt. I worked 60+ hours a week last summer and that money won’t even last to cover half this year’s rent and utilities! I am trying to cut back spending but really all I buy are groceries and the occasional movie ticket. I don’t even have any transportation costs because the bus is free for students.
I have been unable to find part-time work that fits around my schedule because I need to take a lot of credits or I’m not going to graduate in time which would mean taking out even more loans. I applied for every scholarship I could get a hold of but didn’t get a penny, and my financial aid is absolutely pathetic because my family is in that awful limbo where their tax returns show too much income to get decent aid but too little to actually contribute anything. I am 19 years old, and I am scared out of my mind that I am digging a hole I’m never going to get out of.
HELP!!
January 30th, 2009 at 12:26 am
that really sucks. my girlfriend kind of had the same problem, she ended up having to drop out. you should consult someone to help you manage your financial problems, they will give you some good advice. there are people who know a lot about money that can help you get out of that mess.
February 1st, 2009 at 6:32 am
I understand where you’re coming from, and I’ve got to give you credit for your hard work and dedication to college and your future. I know that you’re probably not going to like what I have to say, but it is a couple of suggestions that might work.
The first I thought of was to put, even a few dollars a week away and at the end of a semester or year, invest it in a Certificate of Deposit that will earn a bit of interest. It might not be a lot, but when you graduate, you usually have a 6 month grace period before you start paying off your student loans. At that point, you could take the money that you’ve invested and pay down the principle, so that your monthly payments won’t be so bad.
Another idea is to look into government programs where you could work in disadvantaged areas, and the government will forgive your student loans. I’m sorry, but I don’t have a whole lot of information, but I’m sure you can find some on the net.
Lastly, is the military. Yes, they will pay for college, but you have to give them 4 to 6 years. It’s not a bad way to go, especially as you’ll be able to get experience in your field, and can take that to the civilian sector once your obligation is fulfilled.
I want to wish you all the best of luck. I know you’ll be fine in the end.
Warmest Regards
February 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
cut your expenses.. ditch your cell phone.. stop smoking.. cut cable… turn off lights when you leave the rooms… give up the movies..the internet is an expense but you probably need it for school.. can you get cheaper connection?
good luck its not good to accumulate debt.. work and pay it off as a priority
February 2nd, 2009 at 11:36 pm
I am in the exact same situation, I have many loans, and they really are necessary. Don’t worry about it, get your education, and in the end, even if you are in debt, you can always get defferals for paying on them, (or in my case, i know i will probably never pay them off)… or if possible, pay on interest now because you can write it off for taxes! (but i can’t do that either, so basically i only worry about NOW!)
February 4th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Federal loans aren’t really all that bad. You don’t start paying them back until after you graduate and then at that time you have a 6 month grace period. Once you do go into repayment they make the amounts are very reasonable. I know of student’s with over $70,000 in federal loan debt and their payments are less than $300 a month. Don’t stress out too much about things now. I would suggest talking to your financial aid office to see if there is any help they can give you.