Financial Aid

[beckysharp]

Since Excelsior does not participate in the Federal Student Aid Loan program (FAFSA), I can not apply for financial aid in the traditional manner.

Credit by Examination is cheap, but not free. How are you financing your undergrad. or advanced degree. Any suggestions?

[yutzyj]

Originally Posted by beckysharp

Since Excelsior does not participate in the Federal Student Aid Loan program (FAFSA), I can not apply for financial aid in the traditional manner.

Credit by Examination is cheap, but not free. How are you financing your undergrad. or advanced degree. Any suggestions?

are you positive about excelsior? i think the law was recently changed and you may be eligible for financial aid if you go there. i am definitely not sure but thought i had heard something. it could be worth checking out.

[beckysharp]

Thanks, but I just talked to Admissions and they said they were not participating. Also, you need a Federal School code and they are not listed.

[beckysharp]

Did a web search and sure enough Excelsior was mentioned with Federal Student Aid loan programs. So, I called Excelsior again and they have applied but have not been accepted as a partner.

[anar579]

I've paid everything in cash. The only exception was the Excelsior $1,000 enrollment fee, which I paid in 6 increments.

I figured out all my expenses for the duration of my stint in school ahead of time so I budgeted accordingly. Total costs for me, including enrollment, study materials (including IC), exam costs, and graduation fee will total under $7,000. That's a bargain for an undergraduate education.

Student loans may not be an option, but perhaps a home equity loan might be a reasonable option. Just a thought...

[snazzlefrag]

The cost of taking the exams is spread out over the length of your studies. This is one reason why I limited the number of exams I took in any given month. Three exams for $180 per month has been manageable, but 10 exams for $600 per month would not have been sustainable.

Excelsior enrollment and graduation fees are approximately $1,500. So it is possible to save a little bit of money each month while you are taking your exams towards the fees. That way you will have most of the required money on hand by the time you are ready to enroll/graduate.

If not, the remaning amount, in excess of what you have saved, could probably be charged to a credit card and paid off ASAP thereafter.

It's totally doable without financial aid...although I do understand that a student loan might be preferable to some.

If all else fails, call your parents and ask them for money! We are COLLEGE KIDS after all.

[Kiwi Lover]

Originally Posted by snazzlefrag

We are COLLEGE KIDS after all.

Yes, we are, aren't we?!!!

[snazzlefrag]

Originally Posted by Kiwi Lover

Yes, we are, aren't we?!!!

Of course we are.

I don't know about anyone else, but all I have eaten since November are Doritos and Ramen Noodles. Once a month, I write home and ask my mum to send me more money...just to give myself a more realistic college experience.

[anar579]

Originally Posted by snazzlefrag

Of course we are.

I don't know about anyone else, but all I have eaten since November are Doritos and Ramen Noodles. Once a month, I write home and ask my mum to send me more money...just to give myself a more realistic college experience.

LOL @ Ramen Noodles. I think you can get a month's supply of those for under $5.00 at Walmart.

[Librevore]

Originally Posted by beckysharp

Since Excelsior does not participate in the Federal Student Aid Loan program (FAFSA), I can not apply for financial aid in the traditional manner.

Credit by Examination is cheap, but not free. How are you financing your undergrad. or advanced degree. Any suggestions?

Hi Crystal,

I really enjoy shopping for good vehicles. Not too long ago I picked up a beautiful 2003 Tundra. (...but then its nowhere near as beautiful as a DB-9. Sigh. Drool. Okay, I'm digressing.)

Anyway, I just decided last week that instead of tapping any savings or our monthly budget, I would pick up another good car, sell the Tundra and use the difference for education. Found a great little car with all its maintance records that will run for another 100,000 miles last weekend and will sell the Tundra in the next few weeks. Don't know what you drive or if this might work for you but thought I would throw it out there if you haven't considered it. Fortunately, with a degree that is so reasonable, there might be many creative solutions to funds.

Librevore