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Financial Advice for University

Blogs > DeltruS
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DeltruS
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada2214 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 19:17:38
June 10 2011 19:08 GMT
#1
I recently went to a nearby community college for engineering for a year but got really discouraged because I didn't like the field. I've switched my goal to a degree in computer science, but the college doesn't have a computer science program so I have to go to a university which costs a huge amount of money.

I've been trying to get a job but nobody out of the 15+ places I applied has contacted me. My parents think I'm not trying hard enough. I feel really bad forcing them to shell out so much money for me, and I don't even know if we can afford it.

My questions are: Should I take a year off of school and work to save up money first? Have people had bad experiences with delaying getting a degree?

http://grooveshark.com/#/deltrus/music
RedJustice
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
United States1004 Posts
June 10 2011 19:19 GMT
#2
Is there a reason you are unable to apply for scholarships and other forms of financial aid? (or is that not so available in Canada?)
QuanticHawk
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States32084 Posts
June 10 2011 19:22 GMT
#3
I dropped out for a year and went back. Not only is it hard to get yourself to do tedious bullshit schoolwork for no pay after a layoff, but having to retake freshman level courses you failed ages ago at 22 gets old real fast.

Plus, no amount of money you can save in a year will cover school expenses, especially if you're going to a 4 year school. It's better to work through the school year (totally doable—I did 12-18 credits and around 40hrs a week for most of college) and get it done as soon as possible. You will most likely make more after graduating than you would without a degree. Better to get it over with sooner.

There's also loans, which is how most people go through college. Dunno how that works up north though.
PROFESSIONAL GAMER - SEND ME OFFERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM - USA USA USA
DeltruS
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada2214 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 19:37:48
June 10 2011 19:37 GMT
#4
On June 11 2011 04:22 Hawk wrote:
I dropped out for a year and went back. Not only is it hard to get yourself to do tedious bullshit schoolwork for no pay after a layoff, but having to retake freshman level courses you failed ages ago at 22 gets old real fast.

Plus, no amount of money you can save in a year will cover school expenses, especially if you're going to a 4 year school. It's better to work through the school year (totally doable—I did 12-18 credits and around 40hrs a week for most of college) and get it done as soon as possible. You will most likely make more after graduating than you would without a degree. Better to get it over with sooner.

There's also loans, which is how most people go through college. Dunno how that works up north though.


Thanks for the advice. Loans are what we are doing but I guess my parents feel I absolutey should work anyways. Now that I think of it, I could probably only make 2.5k during the rest of the summer, which would be barely a drop in the bucket compared to what I could make after I get my degree.

I'l have to try really hard once I get back in university so that I can 100% pay off my loans. Maybe I should even do some pre-study while I am jobless.
http://grooveshark.com/#/deltrus/music
skyR
Profile Joined July 2009
Canada13817 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 19:40:30
June 10 2011 19:39 GMT
#5
If you're from Ontario, why don't you apply for OSAP?
DeltruS
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada2214 Posts
June 10 2011 19:41 GMT
#6
I don't live in Ontario ^^

I am looking in to the student aid BC loans right now though.
http://grooveshark.com/#/deltrus/music
QuanticHawk
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States32084 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-06-10 19:47:21
June 10 2011 19:44 GMT
#7
On June 11 2011 04:37 DeltruS wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 11 2011 04:22 Hawk wrote:
I dropped out for a year and went back. Not only is it hard to get yourself to do tedious bullshit schoolwork for no pay after a layoff, but having to retake freshman level courses you failed ages ago at 22 gets old real fast.

Plus, no amount of money you can save in a year will cover school expenses, especially if you're going to a 4 year school. It's better to work through the school year (totally doable—I did 12-18 credits and around 40hrs a week for most of college) and get it done as soon as possible. You will most likely make more after graduating than you would without a degree. Better to get it over with sooner.

There's also loans, which is how most people go through college. Dunno how that works up north though.


Thanks for the advice. Loans are what we are doing but I guess my parents feel I absolutey should work anyways. Now that I think of it, I could probably only make 2.5k during the rest of the summer, which would be barely a drop in the bucket compared to what I could make after I get my degree.

I'l have to try really hard once I get back in university so that I can 100% pay off my loans. Maybe I should even do some pre-study while I am jobless.


Definitely work while going through school. It's nice having money, will learn you some discipline and time management skills, and employers will be more impressed if you can swing good grades while still holding down a job.

If you live at home, you will cut out a big chunk of expenses as well. So depending how much you work and how much you make, you might be able to take a little off the amount you need to borrow by purchasing books on your own, maybe a class or two and loan the rest. Alternatively, you could work and save it all, put it in a high yield CD for a bit and pay off a big chunk of your debt as soon as you graduate (which is when the interest kicks in, stateside at least) to cut off some of that debt.

Again, don't know how Canada works, but interest rates area bitch... you want to minimize your debt if possible, but not at the expense of a course or school all together for a year.


pre study couldn't hurt. I think more important is getting a job, getting interested in your studies and developing good work habits and time management skills.
PROFESSIONAL GAMER - SEND ME OFFERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM - USA USA USA
Mickey
Profile Blog Joined July 2005
United States2606 Posts
June 10 2011 19:49 GMT
#8
Since you're in Canada and I'm in the United States I really can't give you any advice on financial aid/scholarship routine.

I went to a community College and then transferred to university over here pretty easily. I saved myself a lot of money. However, I'm trying to understand your situation and can't really understand it. So since your local community college doesn't have a Computer Science program you're looking to transfer to the university immediately? I think that's what you mean.

Why don't you take your general classes and prerequisites and the CC, then use those credits at the university when you transfer? Is that not allowed?
Calm
Profile Joined September 2010
Canada380 Posts
June 10 2011 20:05 GMT
#9
It has been my experience that you can work enough during university to pay for all of your living expenses with great ease. Just keep at it, lower your standards to obtain something part-time that you can keep at during the school year. Take only 4 courses a semester imo, you'll do much better and the extra year of school REALLY isn't a big deal.

Finally, convince your parents to co-sign at their bank on a student line of credit with you. Up to $6000 a year, and no payments until a year after you're done school. You don't have to use it, but it's there if you need it.
DeltruS
Profile Blog Joined April 2010
Canada2214 Posts
June 10 2011 20:08 GMT
#10
On June 11 2011 04:49 Mickey wrote:
Since you're in Canada and I'm in the United States I really can't give you any advice on financial aid/scholarship routine.

I went to a community College and then transferred to university over here pretty easily. I saved myself a lot of money. However, I'm trying to understand your situation and can't really understand it. So since your local community college doesn't have a Computer Science program you're looking to transfer to the university immediately? I think that's what you mean.

Why don't you take your general classes and prerequisites and the CC, then use those credits at the university when you transfer? Is that not allowed?


The college I went to is pretty small and dreary. I am surprised they even had an Engineering course. I already have the first year of math from when I was doing Engineering, so I don't really have a lot to go back there for.

I am really looking forward to University because I will live on campus and wont have to drive 40 minutes back and forth, or wait 4 hours inbetween courses. I'l have 24/7 access to other students and study areas. My house is really distracting too, and I feel like I can't form good academic habits here.
http://grooveshark.com/#/deltrus/music
Mickey
Profile Blog Joined July 2005
United States2606 Posts
June 10 2011 20:11 GMT
#11
On June 11 2011 05:08 DeltruS wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 11 2011 04:49 Mickey wrote:
Since you're in Canada and I'm in the United States I really can't give you any advice on financial aid/scholarship routine.

I went to a community College and then transferred to university over here pretty easily. I saved myself a lot of money. However, I'm trying to understand your situation and can't really understand it. So since your local community college doesn't have a Computer Science program you're looking to transfer to the university immediately? I think that's what you mean.

Why don't you take your general classes and prerequisites and the CC, then use those credits at the university when you transfer? Is that not allowed?


The college I went to is pretty small and dreary. I am surprised they even had an Engineering course. I already have the first year of math from when I was doing Engineering, so I don't really have a lot to go back there for.

I am really looking forward to University because I will live on campus and wont have to drive 40 minutes back and forth, or wait 4 hours inbetween courses. I'l have 24/7 access to other students and study areas. My house is really distracting too, and I feel like I can't form good academic habits here.

That's surprising. Most people do worse in an unstructured environment. Sounds like you're focused and dedicated, so you'll do well. I wish you the best!
QuanticHawk
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States32084 Posts
June 10 2011 20:15 GMT
#12
On June 11 2011 05:08 DeltruS wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 11 2011 04:49 Mickey wrote:
Since you're in Canada and I'm in the United States I really can't give you any advice on financial aid/scholarship routine.

I went to a community College and then transferred to university over here pretty easily. I saved myself a lot of money. However, I'm trying to understand your situation and can't really understand it. So since your local community college doesn't have a Computer Science program you're looking to transfer to the university immediately? I think that's what you mean.

Why don't you take your general classes and prerequisites and the CC, then use those credits at the university when you transfer? Is that not allowed?


The college I went to is pretty small and dreary. I am surprised they even had an Engineering course. I already have the first year of math from when I was doing Engineering, so I don't really have a lot to go back there for.

I am really looking forward to University because I will live on campus and wont have to drive 40 minutes back and forth, or wait 4 hours inbetween courses. I'l have 24/7 access to other students and study areas. My house is really distracting too, and I feel like I can't form good academic habits here.


I'd imagine it would be much more difficult with a bunch of drunk college kids running around looking to bone each other until their genitals bleed, but who knows. I might be biased since I managed to drink my way out the first go round living at home just 10 minutes away from campus! You know yourself better than I, however.
PROFESSIONAL GAMER - SEND ME OFFERS TO JOIN YOUR TEAM - USA USA USA
emperorchampion
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada9496 Posts
June 10 2011 20:23 GMT
#13
On June 11 2011 05:08 DeltruS wrote:
Show nested quote +
On June 11 2011 04:49 Mickey wrote:
Since you're in Canada and I'm in the United States I really can't give you any advice on financial aid/scholarship routine.

I went to a community College and then transferred to university over here pretty easily. I saved myself a lot of money. However, I'm trying to understand your situation and can't really understand it. So since your local community college doesn't have a Computer Science program you're looking to transfer to the university immediately? I think that's what you mean.

Why don't you take your general classes and prerequisites and the CC, then use those credits at the university when you transfer? Is that not allowed?


The college I went to is pretty small and dreary. I am surprised they even had an Engineering course. I already have the first year of math from when I was doing Engineering, so I don't really have a lot to go back there for.

I am really looking forward to University because I will live on campus and wont have to drive 40 minutes back and forth, or wait 4 hours inbetween courses. I'l have 24/7 access to other students and study areas. My house is really distracting too, and I feel like I can't form good academic habits here.


If living on campus = rez, and you are already distracted living in your house you might want to consider other options lol

What school are you going to? For most Engineering degrees you are required to take 17-18 credits a semester, so having a job at the same time is pretty much out of the question. I see no reason for not having a job for at least the rest of the summer, so you can put away at least a bit more money. Plus if you've never had a job, it's a good experience anyways.
TRUEESPORTS || your days as a respected member of team liquid are over
Madoga
Profile Joined January 2011
Netherlands471 Posts
June 10 2011 21:37 GMT
#14
I dont know any of the financial support syststem for students in canada. But I would like to say, dont stop for a year start again.
That one year will become 2 years, will becomes 3 years.
Than you will decide you're gonne give it a try, but you wont be able to concentrait and wont be motived at all. I've had the exact same thing (allso started with 1 year of engenering even).
You should keep going and just try to explore options for financial aid for students. There should be something, right..??

Look at it like this. If you're gonne get work now, for a year (or more) you'll make, lets say 10 dollar an hour (no clue what you make for unschooled work in canada).
If you would finish school 1 year earlier you'd be able to work that extra year. Only this time you'd have a universitairy degree. Lets say now you'll make 35 dollar an hour.
So even if you take a loan you'd still come out ahead financially in the same amount of years.

So my advice, keep going!
Servius_Fulvius
Profile Joined August 2009
United States947 Posts
June 10 2011 21:56 GMT
#15
Only 15+ places? I had to put in 45 before I got my first summer job! Just gotta play the numbers game (ie, the more you apply to, the better your chances of an interview).

Don't take a year off unless you're taking introductory courses or electives at the same time. If you're applying to schools make sure to apply for campus jobs (infinitely easier transportation and convenience!). Most work study jobs will hire during the summer, but it's possible they already have.

Unless you have rich parents or insane scholarships you won't be able to get through college without some sort of income. Not only does it take care of books and living expenses, but you'll also have some extra cash for hanging out with friends.
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