No matter what cute pair of heels, flip flops, or stylish boots I wear, I admit to having a heavy driver’s foot.
Although I regret the speeding tickets I’ve been issued over the past thirty years, I still regress and end up pushing the pedal past the speed limit. I am usually in a hurry, running late, and rushing around. This Speedy Gonazalez persona isn’t good for anyone.
Continue reading “Slowing Down During the Coronavirus Pandemic – Driving 37 in a 45 MPH Zone”
Yesterday, October 1, 2019, was FAFSA Day, when the Free Application for Federal Student Aid became available for possible higher learning financial aid. After making our FAFSA ID’s, researching how to fill out the form, and then completing the detailed process, I admit to being more confused than ever about how college will be affordable for my daughter, a senior who plans to be enrolled in a four-year major next fall.
We are a two-income, middle class family of four humans, two dogs, and one kitty. I know that my child won’t get a Pell Grant or Federal Work-Study because the FAFSA will accuse us college-educated parents of making too much. For my daughter’s freshman year, FAFSA will, most likely, only offer a $3500 subsidized Stafford Loan (one that will be deferred and not accrue interest until she graduates). That will cover about four college books, a laptop (or really pretty notebook), a package of highlighters, and a meal plan for a semester. The other federal loans are non-subsidized, and interest will start the day the loan begins.
The four-year schools she’s considering cost anywhere from $25,000-35,000 per year, and these are the most economical ones. This price tag includes tuition, room and board, and a free library card.
I didn’t expect to get free money from the Free Application… but I didn’t expect to only find loans in which the interest starts the first day of classes. It’s daunting and probably deters many prospective students to chant, “No more pencils, no more books…”
If you’ve been through this financial process and understand my frustration, please share what you have done to help your kids such as take out a: home equity loan, home equity line of credit, or Parent Plus Loan. Or did the student take out a private student loan? If so was it better for you to cosign to help their interest rate go down? Risks? Pros? Cons?
Anything you are willing to share about your experiences with financial aid triumphs and/or letdowns would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
I’ve been a secondary English teacher since 1995 and believe that education ignites the world. Can you help me figure out how to take a monetary monster off of our future light bulbs in America? Shine on!
(Feel free to comment here, in my email (dslucaswrites@gmail.com), or on social media. Thank you in advance.)
Days of Part-Time Sunshine 