I haven't been very active lately, and I'm sorry about that. I have a good reason though, and maybe someone could be kind enough to give me advice...?

Despite almost certainly being a genetically-programmed slacker, I always worked hard enough to get grades in the high 90s throughout high school. I always took the hardest classes. Every class I've ever taken was accelerated, and if an AP class was offered for a subject I was taking, I always opted to take the AP course. As much as I hate the public school setting, I love learning. But most of all, there was NYU to think of.

New York University is the only school I've ever seriously wanted to attend, but I've known for a long time that if I really wanted to go there, I'd have to get the grades. It's the most sought after school in America, and it rejects about 80% of all applicants. Imagine how happy I was when I got the acceptance letter.

My admissions essay, ironically, was about how I was guided from naivety into the understanding of the world's cruelty. By idealism. And now, idealism has failed me. I've always known that NYU is a VERY expensive school, but I guess I always simultaneously assumed that if I could just get in, the system would help me enough to pay for it.

Apparently, I didn't anticipate that 45 million Americans don't have health insurance because this country's medical care is run by an iron triangle of pharmaceutical lobbyists, and I didn't expect that my brother would be one of those uninsured Americans when he started having chest pains last week.

I also didn't anticipate that federal student loans would be cut more than any other federal program when a jackass in the guise of a president ascended to the Oval Office thanks to his daddy's buddies on the Supreme Court.

Here's the thing: without room and board, NYU is $35,000 a year. Putting aside my lifelong dream of actually living in the city, I live close enough to commute. But that sacrifice is turning out to not be enough since we're now going to end up spending thousands of dollars worth of medical tests on my brother. I've been busying myself with my dad for two weeks now, filling out FAFSA and TAP, looking up scholarships. Nothing is helping.

I came here because I don't know what to do anymore other than cry. NYU is all I've ever wanted out of high school, and when I got in, I was lost in a haze of euphoria. Now, my parents are trying to convince me not to go because We Can't Pay For It. I've never been the kind of kid that bleeds their parents' wallets dry, but what can I do? This has been my dream for four years (longer, really), and I'm being told to trade that in for community college. :sad:

Advice? Anyone? I'm desperate...

I don't know if I'll be able to help, but here goes. :huggle:

You should rely on scholarships, I guess, if you really don't want to give up that dream you've been yearning for Jurassic years, put your very best in it!!! Honestly, this is how I got in De La Salle University (at the Philippines), it is one of the most expensive and high-class standard colleges, and on what I heard, it's the country's top choice... the tuition fee is so much more than a thirty thousand bucks. We're not rich, we're just an ordinary broken family XD. But luckily, I got a scholarship at the enrollment tests, and I don't have to pay the tuition, just other financial fees. Now that I thought about it, I'm happy I'm at a topnotch, money-eating university, that in the next school year (we're on summer holidays, here in the Philippines is very traverse), I'll do the best I can for my future!!!

Now, I congratulations for your acceptance at NYU!!! I think you're really smart, because you passed, your parents should be proud of it!
I don't think it's your fault, really, I admire your perseverance and determination to study and fulfill your dreams and ambitions, I hope you're not taking my praises just for your comfort or because I'm feeling bad for you! I really admire you! :gift:

If however, the scholarship failed (hopefully not), your really last choice is to give it up. I'm going to support you all the way.

Hehe, I told you I am no good at comforting!!!

There's such a thing as student loans, too. If you can't pay for it, make the bank pay for it. Banks have the money for it. Just make sure you're going into a wealthy enough occupation where the bank can expect to be paid back some day.

Yes, Alex is definitely right--and several banks offer loans that you don't have to pay back until AFTER you graduate--some even 10 years after graduation. Look into all your options, ok?

Best of luck *hugs*

Yes, I know, and we're probably going to take out student loans. But my dad's unwilling to take out any loans for the family, so if we're going to be taking out any loans, I'm going to have to take out all of them. It's just a lot of loans to take out after four years.

Resha, yeah, we're still looking for scholarships. If I'm the luckiest person on the planet, NYU will give me one, but I doubt that since it's a pretty prestigious school.

Thanks everyone for the advice and support. I'm sorry for that self-indulgent post last night, but it was a lot weighing on me so I just kinda had to get it out. If we find out anything, I'll let all of you know. :)

First of all, Sadhana - you need a HUG. A great, big, PINK-IFIED HUG full of love. *HUGS* :huggle:

And I agree on the suggestion of student loans. I know it sounds like a lot to take on by yourself, but once you graduate and get a job, you can slowly pay it back. Four years is a long time, and if you work part-time whilst you're in Uni and maybe get a scholarship somewhere down the line, and just be careful with money - it won't be that bad. Like Inuyatta said - some banks offer loans for really long periods of time - I'm sure you'll find something. Don't let your dream slip away!!

See if there's some sort of government subsidiary for higher education, I don't know about the States, but here in Aussie the australian students can apply for HECS, which is a government-funded program which makes their Uni fees so so so much cheaper. I'm so jealous when i see the amount they pay in comparison to the hideous amount I have to pay.

*hugs again* Don't apologize for your post silly! Feel free to come ranting and whining to us whenever, we'll always be on call with emergency pink chocolate and bishies! :huggle:

*huge HUGS for Sadhana too!* :huggle: No worries, hon, you've got every right to be pissed off about this!

I don't know how student loans and such work in the US, but have you thought about writing to companies or organisations? Or even NYU? Maybe even a newspaper or something, your newspapers must have an education section. Maybe they could direct you to people who can help you out...

I'm so sorry to hear that the situation has gone out of hand for you. I hope it gets better...

First of all, I have to thank all of you for the unquestioned support. I almost forgot how amazing you guys are. :D I'm sooo lucky to have found this place.

Secondly, I visited NYU today with my parents because it's reception day for admitted students. We were able to have an individual discussion with a financial aid counselor, and apparently the letter they sent me in the mail never arrived for whatever reason. But they're offering me $25,000 worth of scholarships, and the federal government is giving me another $10,000 in subsidized grants. Which covers the entire tuition (words can't express how ecstatic I am). :hyper:

So I've talked about it with my parents, and I'm definitely going! Plus, since the basic $35,000 tuition is paid for, they've decided to let me live on campus. All we're going to have to pay is $11,000 for room and board, so I will FINALLY be able to live in the city-- which has only been my dream since I looked down at Manhattan from the top of the Twin Towers when I was six.

Thanks again everyone for the advice and comfort. I can't get over how miraculous it is that the school notorious for giving horrendous financial aid packages and the most competitive school in the country is offering me $25,000 in scholaships. And only two days after I was freaking out about not being able to go! Wow, I'm really happy right now. :lmao:

that is very good ^.^ hope you have fun!

Good for you, Sadhana! It's funny how life turns out in the end. :)

Good luck and have fun at NYU!

So things finally did work out for you! :hyper: That's fantastic, I'm so happy for you!!! Congratulations, Sadhana!! :glomp2: Now you go out there and show all 'em NYU peoples that you're worth the scholarship!! Rock out, girl!! :hyper:

This calls for a celebration. :drinks:

come back and tell us all about your first day there!