Wow. Free schooling..., Where was this when I started?? Options

[woody]

FA use to give me a check for $500 every semester.

I don't know why this was done, I never applied for anything outside FASFA and loans.

I'll only approve of this program if those who use this "free" tutition under one condition.
if you don't graduate within 4 years you owe the money back that the university gave you

if your getting free college your ass better work for it

[Billy]

FA use to give me a check for $500 every semester.

I don't know why this was done, I never applied for anything outside FASFA and loans.

I'll only approve of this program if those who use this "free" tutition under one condition.
if you don't graduate within 4 years you owe the money back that the university gave you

if your getting free college your ass better work for it

What if you get two degrees?

Or what if you find your calling and suddenly begin to excel two years into college?

Or how about a severe illness in the family?

There are any number of reasons why someone wouldn't graduate in 4 years. And that's why financial aid currently has someone who judges those situations and decides whether or not you qualify for financial aid. I think the same system should be used in the future.

[TetraGrammaton C...]

Uhh

Y"all who are talking about Europe, go look at their income tax rates and get back to this thread.

let's not generalize europe

[The Fanatic]

I
relatively low taxes? Ummm no

Ummm yes.

Compare our taxes to western nations what have unviersal health care and education for all citizens...

[Spectatrix]

Uhh

Y"all who are talking about Europe, go look at their income tax rates and get back to this thread.

I'm well aware that their tax rates are atrocious. I would rather have low taxes and not have publicly-funded education, health care, etc. But if we're going to provide such services for a segment of the population, I damn well think we should be providing them for all.

We wanna make it easier for folks to get a college education? Fine, make more money available for federal loans, give tax breaks to organizations that provide scholarships. Get rid of the grants and other federal/state "free money". Cut administrative bloat and ramp up alumni fundraising so that tuition costs aren't so damn high in the first place.

[Jim]

I'm well aware that their tax rates are atrocious. I would rather have low taxes and not have publicly-funded education, health care, etc. But if we're going to provide such services for a segment of the population, I damn well think we should be providing them for all.

We wanna make it easier for folks to get a college education? Fine, make more money available for federal loans, give tax breaks to organizations that provide scholarships. Get rid of the grants and other federal/state "free money". Cut administrative bloat and ramp up alumni fundraising so that tuition costs aren't so damn high in the first place.

Hear hear!

[Mommy]

I havent done much research, but the lower income bracket in America does have lower tax rates than Europe, but what about the upper bracket income? They are taxed upwards of 40%. Either way, I would rather have higher taxes and govt funded education and healthcare.

[impala454]

Just because someone's PARENTS have money, doesnt mean that the parents will give it to them for college.

take a closer look, I don't see the word "parents" anywhere. it's your family's AGI as indicated by your latest tax documents. if you're a dependent then yeah the person who listed you as a dependent's income will be included. if you declare yourself independent, it's your income and yours only. I believe you can declare yourself independent at 18, but most parents wouldn't want you to because of the $2000 (i think) hope tax credit they receieve. If you can get free tuition though I think most parents & kids who have half a brain would forego that tax credit. It's your decision whether or not to declare independent though, not your parents.

relatively low taxes? Ummm no

the word "relatively" indicates that he was saying we have low taxes relative to europe, which we do by far. if you don't like taxes here, you sure as hell better not move over there (or praise their tax money funded programs over ours).

[Mommy]

take a closer look, I don't see the word "parents" anywhere. it's your family's AGI as indicated by your latest tax documents. if you're a dependent then yeah the person who listed you as a dependent's income will be included. if you declare yourself independent, it's your income and yours only. I believe you can declare yourself independent at 18, but most parents wouldn't want you to because of the $2000 (i think) hope tax credit they receieve. If you can get free tuition though I think most parents & kids who have half a brain would forego that tax credit. It's your decision whether or not to declare independent though, not your parents.


the word "relatively" indicates that he was saying we have low taxes relative to europe, which we do by far. if you don't like taxes here, you sure as hell better not move over there (or praise their tax money funded programs over ours).

Youre an idiot if you think you can declare yourself as independent at 18. Im 21 and I still cant even though my parents dont give me SHIT. Here is the list of ways you can declare yourself as independent before age 23:
1) join the military
2) get knocked up or have a dependent
3) get married
4) get a signed affidavite claiming that you no longer have ANY CONTACT AT ALL with your parents. Relatives and friends of the family have to submit statements as well.
5) Have at least one dead parent

Believe me, I went round and round on this one with financial aid here at UT. Additionally, I finally decided to do some research regarding FAFSA and found out those are the only ways.

[Mommy]

Raise your hand if you have lived in Europe

[Seussninja]

You'll be payin taxes anyways, might as well get used to it. You people can bitch and moan all you want but ultimately it won't effect the decision they make. The day politicians listen to their constituents is the day a toddler pays attention to "The Seventh Seal" the whole way through.

[Mommy]

i seriously would love to move to another country. im not saying that another country has better laws, but America claims to have the best govt and its shitty. I would rather live somewhere that doesnt claim that title.

[Seussninja]

i seriously would love to move to another country. im not saying that another country has better laws, but America claims to have the best govt and its shitty. I would rather live somewhere that doesnt claim that title.

You have to pick somewhere you know you'll enjoy the laws and regulations because its just as difficult to get anything accomplished in any other governmental system on this planet.

[impala454]

Youre an idiot if you think you can declare yourself as independent at 18. Im 21 and I still cant even though my parents dont give me SHIT. Here is the list of ways you can declare yourself as independent before age 23:
1) join the military
2) get knocked up or have a dependent
3) get married
4) get a signed affidavite claiming that you no longer have ANY CONTACT AT ALL with your parents. Relatives and friends of the family have to submit statements as well.
5) Have at least one dead parent

Believe me, I went round and round on this one with financial aid here at UT. Additionally, I finally decided to do some research regarding FAFSA and found out those are the only ways.

I just didn't recall the correct age, excuse me. so if you want the free tuition under this program, the solution seems pretty simple. go to college when you're 23, or do one of the 5 things in your list (although the military will pay for your school anyhow).

it's still funny to me that you guys are crying about this so much. take the damn loans and leave it at that. we're talking about something that's the price of a nice car, at a 2-3% interest rate, spread over like 20 years.

Jessica, if your parents are so terrible that they never helped you, paid for anything, or whatever, I'm so sorry. From what you've said here it sounds like they booted you out the door after high school graduation without so much as a bus ticket. There's far more to paying for college than just the tuition, and a family income of less than $40,000 leaves little room for those things. Things like having a car, car insurance, medical insurance, living expenses, books, clothes, etc. Not having to worry about tuition means that financial aid can encompass more of those expenses. I haven't seen the numbers lately, but my tuition doubled from my freshman to my senior year, while the loan amounts remained the same. I actually ended up taking extra non-stafford loans to cover living expenses.

[Spectatrix]

Youre an idiot if you think you can declare yourself as independent at 18. Im 21 and I still cant even though my parents dont give me SHIT. Here is the list of ways you can declare yourself as independent before age 23:
1) join the military
2) get knocked up or have a dependent
3) get married
4) get a signed affidavite claiming that you no longer have ANY CONTACT AT ALL with your parents. Relatives and friends of the family have to submit statements as well.
5) Have at least one dead parent

Believe me, I went round and round on this one with financial aid here at UT. Additionally, I finally decided to do some research regarding FAFSA and found out those are the only ways.

Wow, looks like there are far different standards for independence as far as the IRS and FAFSA folks are concerned. For the IRS, you simply have to be providing 50% or more of the money for your living expenses.