Can student loans be used to buy suff for dorms? (read details, please)?

Question

I was wondering if it would be a good idea to take on a student loan to buy stuff for my dorm...
I've already paid for tuition and everything (I got many grants and scholarships and my school also gave me a really good financial aid package). However, I need to buy stuff for my dorm ASAP, and even though I have a job, I don't have the money to buy those things (because I help my dad with the Internet and computer bills)...

But if I can't take on a student loan just to buy things for my dorm, what other kind of loans can I take on then? I'm really running out of time here and I'm going to be about 6 hours away from home (by car)

Also, I don't have a roommate, so I have to buy all the appliances as well...

I am not paying for my dad's stuff...I was the one who told him I'd help him out with some bills because he's a single parent and I see how hard he works (and he also goes to school at night)...& since I'm the one who uses the computer the most, I decided to pay for it...also, he didn't even want me to get a job to start with; he told me my sole responsibility is to study and get good grades...

Answer 1

My friend used his student loan as a down payment on a car...so i would say so yes

Answer 2

Check out Citibank student loans or an unsubsized or subsidized stafford loan - I know you are able or allowed to buy school supplies but I don't know about dorm supplies. I would also ask your school about this.

Citibank offers something called the CitiAssist ® Loans (for students) and they offer a lot of other options - some other loan they have I think can be borrowed for anything with a pretty decent interest rates. They have special offers based on schools and you can always defer your payment and put the interest on hold if you have a financial hardship (most banks probably do this also)
Competitive interest rates
Reduce your interest rate by up to 0.75% in repayment
Easy online application
Credit response in 3 minutes or less 3
Borrow up to the full cost of education less any other financial aid received
No annual or minimum loan amount
No payments while in–school
Flexible repayment options

I like Citibank - there are never any problems. I know you can be eligible for unsub and subsized loans and I am not sure which you have taken but there are also grants that you may be able to look into if your income is that low.

Perhaps your school offers some kind of charity things for rooms. I mean you won't need a bed or a desk and you said you work. So - you may want to try to use some of each check for something - IKEA is an excellent place for these kinds of things and appliances, dishes, rugs, everything is really really cheap - or even KMart or Walmart - there must be something you can try to get with some money. Or - maybe try to ask your boss for a raise or find a job with a better salary perhaps at school part time - through the school even.

Try going to some kind of church store where they sell used things for very very cheap or even check out garage sales while the weather is still nice - you can find a lot of stuff. Do something to make some more money on the side if you can. It shouldn't cost that much to get some stuff. If you can open a credit card, see if you can just buy a few things per month and pay it off right away so you don't get into debt. Normally these loans will give you enough for classes, books, and supplies so call your financial aid office immediately and tell them your problem and maybe they can tell you what you are eligible for or what you can do.

Good luck - I hope something works out for you.

Answer 3

you can buy all kinds of things with student loans. You can even use them to live in an apartment off campus. As long as you can justify why it is necessary for your education and yes living expenses count. I would suggest talking to a finacial aid officer before you buy an entire dorm room full of stuff but I bought a new computer with a 21 inch monitor with my loans

Answer 4

You can however I would suggest that if your aid is more the the cost of your college then you pay that loan back with that refund ASAP especially if it's un-subsidized which means that you pay interest on it as you soon as it gets sent to your school. Remember you can apply for scholarships while in school and the Aid Office will just give you the extra money in a refund check

Answer 5

Stop paying your dads internet and computer bills. You're not his mom, you're going to start the beginning of your life. Use the money to buy some things for your dorm and what you need for college before you resume helping your father.

Answer 6

you could take a student loan but it takes a while to get the cash, that is how i got my computer. i would recommend taking out a personal loan at the bank for like 1000 that is really all you should need, though if your a good shopper you could probably do it on 500 bucks. good luck

Answer 7

Can you get a credit card? This way you could charge it and pay it off before you incur interest. Although I would be responsible with the credit card and not be in debt when you graduate. Pay it off as you go. It's better to start without debt after college if you can manage that (which it sounds like you can!)

Answer 8

for sure. i just found out this year that you can take out stu. loans for any kind of expense. my track schlorship pays for school, books, etc. but i needed some extra cash to you know...party. so yeah def. go with the loan.

m.

Answer 9

If you get WORK STUDY through the FAFSA, you can keep all of the $$$ you earn there and spend it on whatever you want - including dorm fixtures and accessories.

Answer 10

yes...by all means...you can use the money for whatever you want...they say it's for "getting you through school"...like for gas and food and stuff... but i know how it is...you might not make it to your first morning class without coffee...and that mr coffee maker is a NECESSITY.

Hope that helps