Looking for someones wisdom?

Question

I am 18 and and my hopes and plans revolved around moving from FL. to CA to be with my GF then attend college. I have achieved moving to CA, in the bay area and am living in my apartment with my gf. Everything was going good, I am working full time at a pharmacy just ready to start dental assissting course for the fall semester and then it became some rough terrain. I got rejected for Pell Grant because my father cashed out his retirement fund because he needed the money to just pay the bills...(so i looks like he is making too much i suppose) i can't claim independence on that... and since i haven't been here 1 year... paying all out of my pocket will be about 2k for the semester. Thats my first problem. THEN, my landlord just called recently and said he needs me to move out in about a month because he will soon rent the above floor out and his mother is going to take my studio.. (i am under a 12 month lease and it has only be 6 months) the rent was cheap for this area so, instead

of being an ***... I find myself looking for a new 1 br or studio to move into.. (not crazy about the one im in now anyway) School is about to start and only starts every fall semester for the program.. so if i miss this.. i have to wait until NEXT fall... SO.. Should i continue working at the pharmacy full time, Find a new place.. and Try paying for the 2k out of my pocket? Do I try to find a better job that will allow me to work + school that pays more? should i forget school and just keep working and saving to invest in real estate like I hope to eventually. (out of CA of course) This is one of those cross road moments in life that is vital to my future.. I just want more opinions on this..so the odds of choosing the best outcome are higher. thanks in advanced

Answer 1

Don't give up on education. It will give you more than just a piece of paper. However, you don't have to do it right away. One year to establish your residence before starting school may not be so bad.

I recommend
1) Find a new apartment first. This takes a little time. You don't want to be dealing with a landlord who doesn't want you there.

2) Call your school and ask about student loans. Pell Grants are notoriously difficult to qualify. However, you can take out Stafford loans which have low rates and can be deferred whle you are in school. The options on repayment terms are also more flexible. Try to avoid taking out student loans directly from banks unless you understand exactly what you're getting into.

3) Consider contacting your school and asking for a deferrment. Let them know that you have financial difficulties and have them reserve your spot until next year. This way, you can save up the money and pay a lot less tuition come next year.

4) After you take care of the living ad school issues, then worry about your job. You should stay in this job until you find a better one. It's much easier looking for a job while you have one. Also, you want to establish some stable working history if you can. Moving to a better job will make sense to future employers... quitting after a short time usually don't.

5) Does your parents belong to any unions or trade association? Sometimes you can find scholarships from your parents former companies or professional groups.

Good luck!

Just Be!

Answer 2

You actually have a lot of options. If your parents do not claim you on their taxes (and since you are 18 and not currently in school or living at home, they can't) their income doesn't count against you for financial aid.

You can take a year off, and don't go to school right now.
You can enroll part time or take 1 or 2 night classes while still working. (It takes longer, but you can still go to school that way, I did).

You can take a Saturday class while still working.

If the dental assistant program is through a school that is not a jr college, find out if you are eligible for a loan.

As for where you live, pull out your lease and read through it. If there's not a clause to break before 12 months, you have every legal right to stay there until 12 months is up. If you're not sure about where you're living, start looking for something smaller and cheaper or a room for rent.

Answer 3

Dude,
1. I think moving back to FL (I assume your family is there?) is the first step. You may have set yourself back a year already by moving to Cali. But it sounds like your landlord may have given you an easy out.
2. If you MUST move out from you folk's house, then find a smaller town/city with a community college. Since you are already a resident of FL, should be cheaper (a little bit).

Ok, it sucks and might seem kind of humbling to have to go home, but who cares? You want to finish school first right? So you got screwed by your landlord, are in a tight spot. You can make the best of it by getting back to where you know some people, can find cheap(er) rent, get a job for 5 or 6 months before spring semester and have some money saved up. Don't take a loan if you can avoid it. Search the scholarship board and apply for everything you could even remotely qualify for.

Ok forgive me for sounding like sort of a jerk, but why stay in CA? Is this girl "the one" you want to spend the rest of your life with? If she is so great, she will follow you. Dang, if a girl will go with you to YOUR home, sounds like a keeper! If she is too involved in herself to even consider that, well, obviously she isn't the one for you.

Answer 4

It will be very tough to live in the Bay Area, as rents there are very high.

You will probably have to apply for a student loan, or your parents could take an equity loan ( HELOC ) out on their home.

One alternative is to move to a cheaper part of California, like Fresno or Modesto, where the cost of living is not so high.
There are California community colleges, state universities and even private campuses ( U of Phoenix, GGU, etc ) all over the state.

Answer 5

Find a full-time job at the University you wish to attend. Then you will be able to take classes for free (tuition reimbursement) and have sufficient funds to live on and pay rent. The university is also a good resource to find local and cheap 'student-friendly' housing. good luck!

Answer 6

ahh, I am in the bay area as well. First off, your landlord can only break your lease if it states that in the lease. Review your lease and if it is rock solid your landlord can only make your life hell in order to make you move out.

I can't help you too much on the school loans, don't know much about that one.

In Santa Clara county you can contact:

Legal Aid Society:
www.legalaidsociety.com

Answer 7

You