Should I be worried about college costs?

Question

I have a 3.0 GPA. I got a 27 on the ACT, and I qualify for TOPS, a local program that takes care of a large percentage of tuition. However, my parents are not in the position to pay for the rest of my education or housing, and I am not eligible for student loans because my parents don't pay their taxes, sadly. I only have about $10,000 to spend in 4 years. I plan on going to Southeastern Louisiana University (Avg. ACT: 21, Avg. GPA: 3.0)

For those of you who have dealt with this problem, do you think I will be able to pay for all this without taking out loans?

Answer 1

Paying for college can be difficult, but there are people and resources to help you. You can afford college. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't. Sure, it's not always easy and it can be expensive. But you can do it.

You can go through college with less worry if you do a little planning and are frugal with the income that you are assured. The one question that you should ask yourself is “How long do you want to take to get your degree?” There is always the option of working your way through school. You could take a smaller course load, and use the extra time to work. This will not only help relieve some of your monetary issues, but also improve your resume upon graduation.

You should also talk with a financial aid counselor at your school. Every school is different. The Fin Aid department at your school may have special programs geared toward your specific situation that can help you. Also try doing scholarship, grant, and other financial aid searches online.

ScholarshipHelp is a website that explains how college funding works, the types of scholarships available, how to find them and how to apply for them. I have listed other websites that gives additional information about paying for college. There's obviously no guarantee that any of these sites will work, but it can get you on the right track to getting the information that you need.

Best of Luck.

Answer 2

Yeah you probably should be a bit worried. I would say 10k would last you 2 years depending how much the cost of living is in that area. Your definatly going to need a job.
Here is the good news. Once your 24 you are out from under your parents as far as federel student aid goes. They will no longer require that you submit parent's finances on the FAFSA.
So my advice is this. Go to school, find somehere cheap to live and also get some part time jobs. Keep your expenses down and get thru your first 2 years however you can. After that check on that student aid again for the next 2. Try to get as many scholarships and grants as you can... Grants you can get regardles of your parents income or finances.

Answer 3

My daughter had a 3.98 and got a 32 on the ACT. She's now going to a major Big-10 school.
There are scholarships out there that go untouched. Do some serious searching and see if you qualify.
However, the truth is, you probably will not be able to get through a 4 year program without taking out loans.

Answer 4

Search for scholarships. People always think "oh man, everyone probably applied for that scholarship and I have no chance" but when everyone starts thinking this, thousands of dollars worth of scholarship money go unclaimed. Put yourself out there. Best of luck. I think you can make it if you apply for scholarships. Start EARLY, try www.fastweb.com
Make an account there and search for scholarships. You might also consider Federal Work Study. :)

Answer 5

in case you have even have been given a job, and are supplementing your earnings so which you at the instant are not burying your self in pointless debt - you would be large. yet once you're only wandering around blindly such as you have not a care in the international, those loans will come back to hang-out you faster or later.

Answer 6

you can get a student loan even if your parents have not filed or paid taxes. The loans will be under your name.

Answer 7

You will Except you get full tuition, meal and room for 4 years, you won't.

Answer 8

Not if you have any type of scholarship

Answer 9

not really.
if you pray about it, it will all work out.
if you have a question about my answer just ask me.
i hope this helps. :-)

Answer 10

Tuition & Fees

Tuition and Fees can be paid via Southeastern WebPay. For assistance, please see the Online Fee Payment Instructions.

Check or Money Order Payments can be mailed to:
(Please include student W#)
Southeastern Louisiana University
Attn: Controller's Office
SLU 10720
Hammond, LA 70402


Refund Changes and New Direct Deposit Program Information

Fall 2006 (2068)


General fees

Students who register at Southeastern pay fees that are determined by the number of semester hours scheduled (including courses taken for audit). Amounts are subject to change.

TUITION and MANDATORY FEES
Hours Undergrad
Graduate
Non-Resident Fee
(added to Tuition)
1 419.70 419.70 0
2 444.45 444.45 0.00
3 469.15 469.15 0.00
4 675.95 670.95 888.00*
5 789.75 784.75 1,110.00*
6 903.55 898.55 1,332.00*
7 1,017.45 1,012.45 1,554.00
8 1,131.25 1,126.25 1,776.00
9 1,245.10 1,526.00 1,998.00
10 1,358.90 1,544.50 2,220.00
11 1,472.70 1,563.00 2,442.00
12 1,586.50 1,581.50 2,664.00
13 1,591.50 1,586.50 2,664.00
14 1,596.50 1,591.50 2,664.00
15 1,601.50 1,596.50 2,664.00
16 1,606.50 1,601.50 2,664.00
17 1,611.50 1,606.50 2,664.00
18 1,616.50 1,611.50 2,664.00
19 1,621.50 1,616.50 2,664.00
20 1,626.50 1,621.50 2,664.00
*Non-resident fees for Undergraduates 0-6 Hours is $0.00




*Out-of-State Students - Southeastern offers fee waivers for out-of-state students who are beginning freshman or transferring to Southeastern. Find out more about the fee waivers offered.




Credit hours and fees for any course taught between enrollment periods (Interim) are associated with the next immediate semester. Fees for interim courses MUST be paid on or before the first day of the class.



Textbook Rental



Number of courses
$25 per course
(no maximum)
Amount

1 25.00
2 50.00
3 75.00
4 100.00
5 125.00
6 150.00
7
175.00


Southeastern does not require that you buy textbooks (although you may). The rental fee is $25.00 for each class with a rental book, no maximum fee.






ID $7.00






Housing


New Residence Halls - Double $1,800
New Residence Halls - Single $2,540
Southeastern Oaks - 2 Bedroom $3,140
Southeastern Oaks - 4 Bedroom $2,520
The Village $1,800
For further information about housing, please contact Residential Life at [phone].



Meal Plans provided by Aramark


Voluntary Plan 1 $600.00
Voluntary Plan 2 350.00
Cub Plan 1,075.00
Lion's Plan 1,040.00
Pack Plan 915.00
Commuter Plan 250.00



$915 mandatory meal plan is required of all students that reside in residence halls. Upgrades are available.

For further information about meal plans, please contact ARAMARK at [phone].





Vending Service

Lions Lagniappe $50, $100, $250, $500





Motor Vehicle Registration

Per vehicle, per year $25.00

Per motorcycle, per year 25.00




International Students

International Student Fee $ 60.00

International Student Insurance $216.00




Post Office Box Rental
For further information about post office box rentals, please contact the Southeastern Post Office at [phone].





Refund Schedule

Date of Resignation Amt of Refund
On or before August 18, 2006 100%
August 21 - August 25, 2006 75%
August 28 - September 11, 2006 50%
September 12, 2006 & thereafter 0%


Refunds for drop in hours:
Students who decrease their course load through the end of the Late Registration period, August 23, 2006 as defined in the current University Catalog, will receive a refund of fees previously paid. Students who reduce their course load after Wednesday, August 23, 2006 will receive NO refund for this reduction.

Students who receive Title IV Federal Aid will be refunded according to the above refund schedule.




New Fee Payment Deadlines


August 11, 2006 at 4:30 p.m.--ALL students who early registered

August 17, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.--Students who registered during regular registration
and for remaining balances from drop/add.

August 24, 2006 at 4:30 p.m. -- Students who registered during late registration
and for remaining balances for drop/add.



Credit Card Payments

Mastercard, VISA, American Express and Discover credit cards are accepted for payment of registration fees and/or fines. Credit card payments may be made via the Student's LEONet Account.

All Webpay transactions are SSL secured.

Follow these steps to pay fees via the Student's LEONet Account:.
1. Go to the following website http://www.selu.edu
2. In the bottom toolbar, click on LEONET
3. Click on LEONet—STUDENTS
4. Logon using your W# and password
5. Click on “SA Self Service”
6. Click on “Student Services”
7. Click on “Finances”
8. Click on "Account Summary"
9. Click on "Term" this will calculate your current fees
10. Click on “Finances”
11. Click on “Make a Payment”

DO NOT HIT THE "BACK" BUTTON WHILE "PROCESSING" OR AFTER TRANSACTION.

12. Follow the instructions to input the Credit Card information.
Enter the information EXACTLY as it appears on your credit card.
13. Ensure the Credit Card Billing information is the same as your credit card billing address.
You must enter the telephone number that is on file with your credit card company.
14. Click Next
15. Check the information for accuracy, then click "Submit". DO NOT CLICK ONE THAN ONCE.
16. Review the Confirmation Page to ensure the payment has been accepted and
Print the last page, this is your receipt, for future verification.
17. Click "Sign Out"

It is the student’s responsibility to check their account 24 hours after submitting the webpay to verify that the account balance is zero. If the credit card is declined, the student’s classes may be dropped for non-payment.



Contact Information


For further information on tuition and fees, call the Southeastern Controller's Office, 985-549-2068 or 1-800-222-SELU.



Email: Controller's Office or

Mail to: Southeastern Louisiana University
SLU 10720
Hammond, LA 70402



Physical Address: North Campus - Financial Aid Building
900A West University Avenue
Hammond, LA 70402



Previous Semesters Tuition& Fees

Fall 2006 Fee Information Fall 2004 Fee Information
Summer 2006 Fee Information Summer 2004 Fee Information
Spring 2006 Fee Information Spring 2004 Fee Information
Fall 2005 Fee Information Fall 2003 Fee Information
Summer 2005 Fee Information Summer 2003 Fee Information
Spring 2005 Fee Information Spring 2003 Fee Information