11 replies to this topic

[Germ]

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to ask anyone who has attended university or is currently attending university some questions. I want to attend a competitive university, however I am worried about the cost. I want to go into sciences and become some type of specialized doctor. Therefore, you can assume that this will take many years of schooling and a lot of money. I currently have saved up enough money for one year's worth of university and I am worried how I am going to pay for the rest. I understand that there are burseries, scholarships, and student loans. I have no volunteer experience and I don't do any extra curricular activities because my parents are always telling me to work to save up for university. Between work and school, I don't have time to do any volunteering and extra activities. Therefore, wouldn't it be hard to win scholarships? Don't organizations which offer scholarships look for people who are involved with their community and have extra activites? I want to do all these things to win scholarships, but I can't because I am always working because I need money for university. I can pay for my first year and then I am clueless how I am going to get through the rest. I don't want to go to school and then find myself in a position where I can't afford it. A good friend of mine told me that I have to stop worrying because it is very uncommon for people to pay for all their years of education. He told me that I will get student loans and if you are in financial need that you are their priority even if you don't volunteer or anything. I this true, will I make it?

[Noitidart]

Federal loans are real low interest and you only have to pay it back after you start earning. If it's still not enough your parents can take a federal loan for college which has really low interest but they have to start paying it back right away. But its only like 50 bucks a month. Every year if your parents take the same loan out it will go up by 50. So if you did 4 years they'll be paying 200 bucks monthly. That's how I had to do it

[Germ]

It depends entirely on what country you're from as to whether or not you can get a student loan, or if you'll have to go for scholarships or if you'll just have to save and work through uni.

See I can get interest free student loans and I don't have to pay it back until after I'm finished studying and earn over something like $20,000 nzd a year.

I am from Canada. I want to enter the University of British Columbia. I willl apply for scholarships and student loans. I just hope that I will have enough to pay for the schooling. I don't want to stop school because I can't afford it.

[ShadowLink64]

Well, in Canada, our education is heavily subsidized by the government and federal student loans are pretty easy to get. So if you really wanted a degree, you could finance it easily I think.

The main issue you would probably want to focus on I think, is how much debt you are prepared to take on by the time your university career is finished. Because the government will give loans (which depends on a few factors I think, like how much income your parents make and such).

[Germ]

Well, in Canada, our education is heavily subsidized by the government and federal student loans are pretty easy to get. So if you really wanted a degree, you could finance it easily I think.

The main issue you would probably want to focus on I think, is how much debt you are prepared to take on by the time your university career is finished. Because the government will give loans (which depends on a few factors I think, like how much income your parents make and such).

Well my dad is unemployed because of the recession. So it should be quite easy to get a loan I guess. I don't mind debt because I know the career I want will be able to pay it off. I want to become a specialized surgeon. Should I start volunteering before I begin applying for scholarships?

[roygbp]

Concerned about the cost of college? Here's my two cents:
1. Make sure you're on track to get in first! I just finished 12th grade and saw a lot of friends with broken hearts because of rejection letters
2. Apply for local scholarships--your chances (or anyone's chances) of winning a national/international scholarship are too slim to waste hours on an essay or what not.
3. Get a job--steady source of money, good to put on applications/resumés, and experience for later.
I don't know enough about loans to formulate an educated opinion.

[Germ]

Right, I am trying very hard to obtain the best possible grade I can get. I do also have a job at the moment. Also should I apply for scholarships in just my city or all over my province (or state if you live in the USA).

[Mr. Hobo]

Join teh army

[Germ]

Join teh army

Ahaha can't do that.

[Ali]

And as always, I remain glad that I'm English and had a much easier system to cope with.

[Jakerz]

My sister had the same problem in for University.. and if I end up going to College next year I'll probably also have the same problem.. My sister got a few scholarships which really helped.. but shes still in a lot of debt now that she is done.. Our parents make too much money so we don't qualify for student loans.. Not sure what I'm going to do when the time comes

[Trea]

Well, in Canada, our education is heavily subsidized by the government and federal student loans are pretty easy to get. So if you really wanted a degree, you could finance it easily I think.

The main issue you would probably want to focus on I think, is how much debt you are prepared to take on by the time your university career is finished. Because the government will give loans (which depends on a few factors I think, like how much income your parents make and such).

As said, depends on what country you live in. Where I live it's about the same as Canada I'd say. I'm into Law, specialized as well, took me about 5 years but pretty much everything was subsidized or in combination with work / study.