Money does gorw on trees when you're 25Follow

He got a loan and a grant. What is your point, that you're ticked off that he got a grant and you didn't? What's your GPA? How old are you? How much does your school cost per year? What is your career track? How much did you earn the year before? A lot of factors play into financial aid, and your assumption that people that get grants are somehow bleeding the system is inane and small-minded.
Pansy. If you don't like your loans, there are millions of grants and scholarships that go unclaimed every year. Go find one and jump through the hoops to get it.

Are you for real? Maybe you didn't get grants because you're an asshat and a 'tard. I'd look into that.

I've never gotten a grant because I've never requested one. I've always held the belief that one should pull one's own weight in life. In that respect, I've held down a full time job since the age of 14 and always paid my own way. I also accidentally checked the 'tard box on the application.

What amuses me is that you seem to be serious when you say it is small minded to think that people who get grants are bleeding the system when the OP clearly states that of the ten thousand he will be getting, he only needs 1/2 of that to cover it's intended purpose. The remainder has the possibility of paying for a vacation for himself and his SO.

You're really ok with that? I'll be the first to admit that the way financial aid is distributed is an imperfect system, but to say that he isn't taking advantage of the system and leeching money because he won't earn it himself is ludicrous.

While no doubt noble, if you're paying into the system you may as well take out as you're due. You may get warm fuzzies from toughing it out and playing the martyr but it's kind of silly to be bravely sitting in your little apartment getting scurvy from a diet of microwave popcorn and Ramen noodles while the government is rolling its eyes and tapping its foot waiting for you to claim some of the money it has set aside for you.

I agree with Jophiel. While noble, there is money set aside that is rightfully yours (almost doubly so since you have been working since you were 14). There is also something else your reasoning fails to take into account. What happens if, even with all your hard work, you still can't afford to go to the school you deserve to be in. Let's go to the extreme.

A straight A student with a high SAT score gets accepted to Harvard, yet even after academic scholarships and a job, they are unable to pay for tuition. Should they just give up because they don't have enough money or should they ask the government who already has money for these situations?



Actually, this isn't quite true (now that I understand, thanks to Flea). Fender will have an extra 5K right off the bat. However, in the long run, he will still owe money. The interest accrued on the 6K loan he is getting will end up costing him around 10k (depending on the interest and when you pay it off, of course). So the government is breaking even.

Edited, Fri Nov 4 10:31:26 2005 by Mearyk

I graduated with about the same amount of debt 1 year ago, interest rate on my loan was about 3% fixed for 10 years, my payment is 88 bucks a month.

Doesn't sound horrible till you realize 88*120 = 10,560 for a 8,000 loan.

Over 10 years is still not horrible by any means, but you could pay off 4k flat and end up only paying about 600-700 in interest over the rest of your loan.

I've seen grant money go towards a lot worse things than a vacation, while no better than drugs or booze after the government cuts the check, it is free money ...

You realize that financial aid is not meant to only cover cost of tuition and books, right? Because it doesn't seem like you do. Most estimates include this neat l'il component called "living expenses and miscellaneous." Guess what travel falls under. If you can tie it in to your major, fine, but no place, not even a full-time job, expects you to keep your nose to the grindstone 24/7.


Fu[i][/i]cking system. Go get a job, you freeloader!

Here's some help, Ricky. $1K won't even buy one person a trip to Hawaii, much less two. It may cover airfare for one. Maybe.


Well hell, then pay for your own school and ease up off my tax dollars, donkey.

While the average hours worked per week in the US is 38-40 hours it is nice to know that people like Jacob here expect college students to attend classes for 16 hours a week plus working 10 more hours above average to pay for it.

The question shouldnt even be about whether or not the grants and loans are too high, low, or should be non-existant. The question is about Fender's morals. To spend the money in any way that is not school related would be illegal and punishable by law.

So far it appears only Flea has the right assesment of the situation.

As for the people suggesting he invest the extra, you need to realize that any extra cash he has when applying for new grants and loans for another year would subtract from he could recieve.

Since Fender said he would be graduating the other situation would be that the extra money would only get 9 months to accrue interest before the grace period ends after the next semester. Im pretty sure that his loans will have a higher interest rate than any CD or MM account.

The best way to use that cash is to spend it all on school crap so you dont have to use any of your own hard earned cash.

Take the 4k and pay off what loan you have now. have fun with the 1k and go to school with the other 5k that way you don't have bills get to have fun and get agood job someday with your new found degree.

Edited, Fri Nov 4 13:52:41 2005 by galthran