paying for it all...

[Bauer]

Hey guys, i know this is a terrible question to be asking, but for those of you who arent being subsidized by your parents, how are you all paying for college??? im an ATC student coming this fall and I am at a loss as to how to pay for it, save for student loans and stuff like that...just curious as to your thoughts/methods...

thanks a lot

peace,

Bauer

[roundout]

same as any other school. loans. cash in savings bonds. sell a car. get help from parents. that's what i did.

[JaceTheAce]

In addition to the maximum amount of government loans, I take out additional commercial student loans about half of the time. I have a 30 hour/week job (turns into 40 hours when I am not attending school), have some money saved up, pay towards my student loan interest to minimize debt (and for tax deductions), have a frugal car expense, cook at home a lot, share an apartment with a roommate, have zero credit card debt.

I'd highly recommend investing in real estate at an early age if your parents can cosign for you. If not, wait until about my age where you will have established a sufficient amount of good credit - this is essential in qualifying for a home mortgage. I'm working on buying a house this summer so I can have roommates who pay my mortgage...that is the way to do it.

And... unlike many lucky aviation students, I receive zero financial assistance from my parents. These are just some recommendations to minimizing debt you get into during college

[TXaviator]

im in about 25 grand right now.

student loans. no assistance from parents.

welcome to suckville, population: us.

[CRJDriver]

I had to pay for eveything myself. Flight training costs, tuition, books, etc. I paid most of it with loans and some scholarships. School and flight training is very expenisve, so make sure it's something you really want to pursue and invest money in. Since you're doing ATC, you only have to take Avit 101 or 102, which runs around $7K maybe. The ATC costs for the labs aren't too bad I think, but then again tuition is suppose to go up again next year, around 9% or something like that.

[Brazilian_Pilot]

I'm going to community college and paying for the PPL out of pocket. That really helped alot, I probably saved 20k right there. But im getting ready for the scary loans to finish my education and get the rest of my ratings.

[Bauer]

yeah...im with you all...no help from parents...do you guys know how long it takes to become a ND resident?--at least then i could save about 2000 per year because of instate tuition...any thoughts???

thanx a lot guys

thanx JACE for the tips too!

peace,

Bauer

--by the way...my real name is Mike, Bauer is just a nickname for any of you who were wondering--i know you all were--

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by Bauer

yeah...im with you all...no help from parents...do you guys know how long it takes to become a ND resident?--at least then i could save about 2000 per year because of instate tuition...any thoughts???

thanx a lot guys

thanx JACE for the tips too!

peace,

Bauer

--by the way...my real name is Mike, Bauer is just a nickname for any of you who were wondering--i know you all were--

It takes exactly 1 year to become a North Dakota resident. The KEY THING is to not give them any more information than they need to know. What you need to do is get a ND driver's license the first week you arrive. When you fill out the form make sure both your permanent and mailing address reads "Blah blah blah, North Dakota, 58201" - not Mom and Pop's address in some other state. If you have anything other than ND, they will deny you right there. Also, do NOT tell them you have a car if it's registered in any state other than North Dakota. My car still has CA plates, so I did not tell them I owned a car. If I did tell them, they ask for which state it's registered in and once you reveal the details... instant denial. Another good thing to do is get a hunting license *yeehaa* - this will show them more "proof" that you're a North Dakotan at heart and want to make this lovely place your permanent home and therefore give you the wonderful tuition break.

EDIT: Check it out!!! This is my 2,000th post! yay!

[UAL747400]

DO NOT get rid of your native state license plates. You can at least keep some of your identity with your car.

I did the same things Jason has already said. I listed the dorms for the school year, and then a buddies condo for the summer. All you need if you're gona do something like that is either a copy of the lease for that time period, or proof of paying rent.

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by UAL747400

DO NOT get rid of your native state license plates. You can at least keep some of your identity with your car.

I did the same things Jason has already said. I listed the dorms for the school year, and then a buddies condo for the summer. All you need if you're gona do something like that is either a copy of the lease for that time period, or proof of paying rent.

Yeah... my California tags expired June 2005 *ooops* haha ...but the thing is, I have to get the stupid car smogged before I can get new tags and it has to be done by a certified California "Smog Check 2" Center. Every two years CA requires your car to undergoe a strict emissions test... it's been over two years since it's last been done...and like a little Civic with a 1.6 liter engine and 72,000 mi on the clock isn't going to pass smog. The thing is, someone from Washington said they got some waiver for the smog law because their car was operating out of state. Has anyone heard of that? I might try that, but knowing me I'll wait until I get pulled over for expired tags until I research this information.

I seriously do NOT want ND plates.... please Gaud, please oh Gaud.......... haha

[airplanerik]

I think I may have called the DMV about this. I'm pretty sure they said if the car is operating out of state, you don't need to have it smogged, if it is still registered in CA. Because I think my car was due for a smog check right before I came here.

[desertdog71]

Here is a novel idea. Get a job, save money and then go to school. Pay cash for it, and don't be a slave to debt the rest of your life.

Of course that is delaying your wants. Not a very American way of doing things these days. Thus all the credit card ads you see everyday. "Borrower is slave to the lender"

[UAL747400]

Originally Posted by JaceTheAce

I seriously do NOT want ND plates.... please Gaud, please oh Gaud.......... haha

Its funny because one of my friends went ahead and did that. He said he just felt so awful that day. I would too!!

[AngelFuree]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

Here is a novel idea. Get a job, save money and then go to school. Pay cash for it, and don't be a slave to debt the rest of your life.

Of course that is delaying your wants. Not a very American way of doing things these days. Thus all the credit card ads you see everyday. "Borrower is slave to the lender"

Sheeit, what a smart idea. Why didn't I think about that...?

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

Here is a novel idea. Get a job, save money and then go to school. Pay cash for it, and don't be a slave to debt the rest of your life.

Of course that is delaying your wants. Not a very American way of doing things these days. Thus all the credit card ads you see everyday. "Borrower is slave to the lender"

Prior to earning any sort of degree, you could get a job making $6.50 an hour and work full time until 80 years old, while having invested that money, then start college since you have the money saved up already!

[JaceTheAce]

Originally Posted by airplanerik

I think I may have called the DMV about this. I'm pretty sure they said if the car is operating out of state, you don't need to have it smogged, if it is still registered in CA. Because I think my car was due for a smog check right before I came here.

Hmm... I'm gonna look into this. It's a lot of fun trying to get through to a live person at the CA DMV.

[Ian J]

Ofcourse a short 3-year stint in the military is a great way to save money and pay for college! Plus you may get to travel to wonderful sandy places and earn tax-free combat pay!

DISCLAIMER: I am NOT recruiting. Trust me.

[JaceTheAce]

Actually, the military route is the way to go (if that's something that interests you). They pay for your school and you get great benefits - when you are in and when you get out. I've heard of people getting into ROTC and getting great scholarships/grants along with some percentage that they pay for school. Don't quote me on that, but I know they pay a pretty decent amount to help fund your education. Then when you get out of college you can become an officer in the Air Force - pay is pretty good if you consider the subsidized housing benefits, medical, etc.

[Ian J]

Well... it worked for me. (The Army that is... not the AF). Only minimal complaints (18 months in the desert) and lots of benefits. (And not a real complaint anyway... I knew what I was getting into when I signed up... know its my duty, etc...)

[TXaviator]

Here's a novel idea. Getting a job, as you put it, is barely going to pay for a roof over your head and food on the table without a college degree in the modern America. Nevermind saving up the mountain of cash for flight school.

Don't be a slave to debt? Remember the axiom, it takes money to make money, and if you don't have it to start out with, well **** on you then i guess. Or at least thats the general impression I have recieved as a poor working person in the last six years of my life.

At this point, I could really give a **** less about any societal responsibility for the fiscal state of the union. I have been driven into a position where my only option is to take retardedly large amounts of debt, so for now I'll just live with that, aquire the skills and knowledge I need to be successful for my career/passion/life, and deal with the rest as it comes.

Originally Posted by desertdog71

Here is a novel idea. Get a job, save money and then go to school. Pay cash for it, and don't be a slave to debt the rest of your life.

Of course that is delaying your wants. Not a very American way of doing things these days. Thus all the credit card ads you see everyday. "Borrower is slave to the lender"

[TXaviator]

i was very very bummed the day I had to take my Texas plates off. (i no longer have any family address in texas to use for registration)

Originally Posted by UAL747400

Its funny because one of my friends went ahead and did that. He said he just felt so awful that day. I would too!!

[Joekster]

Yeah I am paying for everything myself as well, I just take out max government loans and then I have to take commercial loans for my flight expenses. My two goals are to never get any credit card debt, and just make enough money to pay all my living expenses and some books and supplies. Yeah its gonna be really rough when I graduate and am making less than 20 grand a year with ridiculous monthly loan payments, but I knew that when I started so..

[desertdog71]

I did it. Worked, saved money. Now I am starting training. I don't owe a damn dime to anyone. You can do whatever you want, you are the one that will be paying this crap until your 45 not me. Its a little tough to pay those huge student loans on 1st and 2nd Year FO Pay.

[TXaviator]

Originally Posted by desertdog71

I did it. Worked, saved money. Now I am starting training. I don't owe a damn dime to anyone. You can do whatever you want, you are the one that will be paying this crap until your 45 not me. Its a little tough to pay those huge student loans on 1st and 2nd Year FO Pay.

ok so do tell? whats the secret to making the beaucoup money on a high school diploma? (legally, for the sake of our conversation)

[Joekster]

Originally Posted by TXaviator

ok so do tell? whats the secret to making the beaucoup money on a high school diploma? (legally, for the sake of our conversation)

Forget about him I wanna know the illegal ways too