OT: Scholarship help?

[kandeebunny]

I have been officially accepted to a private art school for summer 2006 for a year. I am currently on full scholarship to UNH thanks to the Govt. Because my school is not a state school I am sacraficing my scholarship. I have looked online at things like fastweb and not found much. The school is in FL, anyone have any ideas on local based scholarships or art based ones? If I can't come up with one, that means less Disney trips as I will have to come up with $15000 for school then $3000-4000 for a new mac capable of running the programs I need as well as books and supplies every term.

TIA!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Have you tried asking the school's financial aid office? They can probably give you some good information. Also ask at UNH's financial aid office.

 

[EthansMom]

Also, if you have declared your major, talk to the Head of the Department about any possible scholarships. I walked into the office of the Head of my Department on my first day of college, introduced myself and inquired about scholarship opportunities. I walked out with a $1000 scholarship.

Also, contact the Financial Aid Office and get the ball rolling on a financial aid package. If you HAVE to take out student loans, make sure that they are loans that are deferred (with no payments or interest until after you finish college). DH had one loan that was not deferred and his mom was supposed to make the payments for a couple years while he was finishing up college -- Mom "forgot" to make any payments and never told DH and he ended up owing more than 3 times the amount of money borrowed.

There are also lots of opportunities for employment on campus that will work around your class schedule. I worked about 10 hours a week in the cafeteria for spending cash during college -- easy job and they totally worked around my schedule!

 

[kandeebunny]

I won't be going until summer 2006 so the FAFSA for that year isn't available yet. I will talk to my current school though and look in to a work study!

Thanks!

 

[floridagirrl2]

I was in school back in the 90s, so this may not still apply, but I learned from a financial aid officer that if you apply for work study, the income will be considered part of your financial aid package--for instance, if your private school will cost 25,000 per year and you have a $5000 per year work-study job, then scholarships, grants, and loans will not add up to more than $20000.

This is significant because you might be able to get a non-work study job that pays better than the work study job (generally minimum wage);and you might prefer to have the full package in grants and loans so that working will be optional, not required.

 

[MrsPete]

I have been officially accepted to a private art school for summer 2006 for a year. I am currently on full scholarship to UNH thanks to the Govt.

Wow. Going from a full scholarship to paying 18000-19000? Are you sure this is a wise move? Will the degree you'd earn at the Florida school be worth that much more? You'll be paying exponentially more; will your job prospects be superbly better than your prospects with a UNH degree? Realistically, you'll probably be looking at loans. Is the degree you'll earn in Florida be worth starting your professional life "in the hole" financially (especially when you have the choice to graduate without debt)?

I admit I don't know much about the art world, but I do know money. And if you were my child, based upon just this information, unless I'm missing something really big about the Florida school, I think I would advise you to stay at your current school.

 

[ktglads]

Also, check with the local organizations around your home. I know the Lion's Club, Rotary Club, American Legion all give out at least $500 in scholarships. This would be some headway to reducing your debt. Also, look into a part time job at places like McDonald's or Wegman's. I know that they have a scholarship program that you can apply for a $1000 scholarship. Some only allow high school seniors, so inquire about it before you count on that money.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

I agree with Mrs. Pete. If you are going to UNH do they not have an art program? It just seems like you are giving up so much.

 

[MKCP5]

Or postpone admission. I don't mean to be a jerk but are recognizing what an unbelieveable gift a free college education is? Get your bachelors at UNH and then go to art school. what's the rush?

 

[gr8ful4Him]

I fully agree with finishing what you've started with a "free" education! If you were accepted to the art school to begin with, would you not be able to get accepted once you have a bachelors degree?

 

[kandeebunny]

I think I was misunderstood! I am finishing my degree in English Lit at UNH so I will graduate in April with a BA in Lit. The school I am looking at in Florida is for Interior Design and has a published job placement rate of 100% within 6 months of graduation in my field of study. So this will be in ADDITION to my BA.

Also due to health reasons a relocation is a must at this point. I am postponing moving until the graduation even though the Dr's advised otherwise.

Also UNH and the state schools in NH don't offer the programs I am looking at with the job placement rate and status of that school on my degree.

 

[meandtheguys2]

Well, that makes more sense! I hated seeing you give up a free ride! No ideas, but asked them to check around at our financial aid ofc. Sometimes they can spot something, and they owe me a favor!