Next year I would prefer to live on campus, because where I live is far to school, it takes me 1h 30 min to get there. So it limits my opportunities I can take on campus. I am thinking about taking minor (additional classes) and perhaps join some club, don't worry about weather- in Chicagoland it matters). In order to able to afford, I have to take private student loan. However, my mother and sister are against it because my parents don't earn too much now and they don't want to me to take additional debt. Of course I hate it, but once after graduation I find job it will pay off. Besides they think that I am immature for that, though I will be godfather of my nephew. My mother was opposing that even when I was applying for RA position, so I could get free housing. I would be on most weekend so she shouldn't be that worried about my absence. The tong-commuting doesn't make to me much sense l, most of the day I spend on campus, I study there, do homework there, I work out there I buy food there from my own expenses and sooner or later I will work on-campus job. So I come home only for little late study and sleep.When I should tell my family? Before or after I apply for housing or get confirmation. If I tell too early, my mother will probably yell at me. If too late, it would be probably unfair for not mentioning at all and for sure would get more angry. I go to DePaul University in Chicago, and I will be sophomore next year. First year most of the expenses were covered from grants (including Stafford) and only little remaining from PLUS Loan.

Have you sat down and made out a plan that your parents can see? Costs of being in the dorm, benefits of on campus living, any expenses you would save from living on campus (such as driving back and forth each day)? Sometimes seeing things written down help make decisions. I am sure your parents are worried about the additional student loans - believe they add up faster than you can imagine and are so easy to indebt yourself for 10 years after college. Or longer. Is there something you can join, such as the National Guard that would help pay tuition costs?

You do not say how old you are, but you must be over 18. That is adult age you know. I understand the parental ties but they have to allow you to grow up and make your own decisions. Even if they think that it is more than you can handle. They may well be right too! But part of the growing up and becoming self actualized is finding that out on your own.

Did you get the position as RA? If not, what other opportunities on campus are there for you? Good luck to you.

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Originally Posted by shygrneyzs

Have you sat down and made out a plan that your parents can see? Costs of being in the dorm, benefits of on campus living, any expenses you would save from living on campus (such as driving back and forth each day)? Sometimes seeing things written down help make decisions. I am sure your parents are worried about the additional student loans - believe they add up faster than you can imagine and are so easy to indebt yourself for 10 years after college. Or longer. Is there something you can join, such as the National Guard that would help pay tuition costs?

You do not say how old you are, but you must be over 18. That is adult age you know. I understand the parental ties but they have to allow you to grow up and make your own decisions. Even if they think that it is more than you can handle. They may well be right too! But part of the growing up and becoming self actualized is finding that out on your own.

Did you get the position as RA? If not, what other opportunities on campus are there for you? Good luck to you.

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I am 20 years old. I did not get position as RA but there are plenty of other job opportunities on campus and in downtown chicago. Good thing with writing expenses on paper but it will still show that living at home cost less than on-campus. As to part of National Guard I do not know what you're asking me. I know it is only part of Army that protects homeland area, right? I think you mind a chance of getting scholarship from them. Would I have to go there only on vacation or throughout whole school year?
By the way I am Polish, I come from Poland and me and my family grew up in Poland. This is one of facts she is feared about loans, because many socialist countries in Europe, including Poland finance public education for free. Unfortunately it is hard to find job there, and living standards there are lower than in western countries, or United States.

The National Guard is a state militia. You can join them, they have a basic training plus an additional training after basic training and then you are required to spend one weekend a month in training with your assigned unit and two weeks in the Summer. If your scores are high enough when you test, there are incentives such as tution assistance - meaning that if your college grades are above a certain level, they will help pay for your education. If you have any questions about that, there is a state National Guard in every state. Look in your telephone book for your local recruiter. They may even be a presence on your campus. But they are listed in the telephone book. It costs nothing to inquire. You are not obligated to say yes.

I do understand your parent's concern about the student loans. The money looks so easy to acquire but the debt piles high in the end. They are worried you will be saddled with debts that overwhelm you. You are right about the standard of living in Poland, and most European countries. Even though there are pockets of wealth in those countries, it is not for all.

Wishing you great success.

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Originally Posted by shygrneyzs

The National Guard is a state militia. You can join them, they have a basic training plus an additional training after basic training and then you are required to spend one weekend a month in training with your assigned unit and two weeks in the Summer. If your scores are high enough when you test, there are incentives such as tution assistance - meaning that if your college grades are above a certain level, they will help pay for your education. If you have any questions about that, there is a state National Guard in every state. Look in your telephone book for your local recruiter. They may even be a presence on your campus. But they are listed in the telephone book. It costs nothing to inquire. You are not obligated to say yes.

I do understand your parent's concern about the student loans. The money looks so easy to acquire but the debt piles high in the end. They are worried you will be saddled with debts that overwhelm you. You are right about the standard of living in Poland, and most European countries. Even though there are pockets of wealth in those countries, it is not for all.

Wishing you great success.

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Hey. The registration for next year classes have just started and from what I see the courses which I would like to take and which are important for my major creates the schedule for which I should live closer, otherwise I will get pain in butt. This current year wasn't even too big deal comparing to what I expect for next year. So now I am in gray area, get more loan or choose alternative courses and postpone the ones I want to take later, but then I won't be able to advance fast with my major courses related to future career. I have still to complete 160 credit hours from which each course weights 4 credit hours. I am in Computer Science major, the average CS student from my college starts at salary 40 and 50k (data from Career Center)

Tell them about it before and hear them out on there opinions and if you think you can work it out just tell them you sent the application already...
There is n harm in sending the application in

The only problem with National Guard is Boot Camp and AIT. (Both of my oldest sons are in the Guard). They will send you away to Boot Camp, yup like the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, to a desitnation of their choice that lasts for 13 weeks. After that time they send you to AIT, to a destination where the training for the specific "job" you are qualified has their training grounds, this can last as long as 7 months or more. (My second son is currently in AIT and will be in Missouri for the next 7 months).

While it is worth it due to the sign on bonus (which you don't get 100% of until you fulfill your term) as well as the option of the GI Bill for education, I don't think that this is a good option for you at this point in time.