Comments on: Magpie Girl’s Guide to College

By: Michelle Schear

Michelle Schear — Sun, 02 May 2010 21:01:09 +0000

Adult students have a lot to think aboutthan traditional college-aged students. They have the demands of jobs to contend with as well as the stresses of trying to find financial aid that will allow them to go to university.

By: schmutzie

schmutzie — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 17:05:12 +0000

I wish I’d had this sort of advice when I started out at university. I never did finish once I tried, became disillusioned, and quit. I’d like to give it a try again, but more in the style you outline here.

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:22:24 +0000

Great advice! I hope college students truly listen to what you have to say. For purchasing textbooks, I would also recommend http://www.BookDealFinder.com as it will compare prices for students from all the reputable vendors and summarize them all in 1 page. It is an indispensable resource!!

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 02:04:30 +0000

I claimed independent at 20 – I believe I had to enclose some kind of proof that my parents weren’t claiming me on their taxes – I dont’ remember what.

By: Jolie

Jolie — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 21:29:38 +0000

I got married. That automatically made me independent and eligible for Financial Aid. (But I don’t recommend that route for everyone. It’s a do-as-I-say sort of thing rather than do-as-I-do.) :)

Also, Study Hacks is a great blog for ideas to work smarter, not harder for college students. http://calnewport.com/blog/

By: Rachelle

Rachelle — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:11:26 +0000

My financial aid advisors were always harping on me to get my parents to stop claiming me on their taxes as a dependent, and I was under 25. I’m sure there’s a way! :-)

By: Aurora

Aurora — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 16:37:21 +0000

Wait, or you could be an emancipated minor as well and be independent or if you were a homeless youth, etc. I think the idea is that they have to be special circumstances for them to say that you are indeed independent.

By: Aurora

Aurora — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:54:39 +0000

I know that the only way you can really declare yourself as independent on the FAFSA form is to be either 24, married, a parent, or an orphan. I did the first two years of school when I was 18-20, and then dropped out and waited until I was 25. It worked out great, I loved school when I came back, did a million times better and came out with a hell of a lot less debt. I mean to say that grants paid for tuition and some of my living expenses, but I had to take out loans for that last little bit of money.

By: Lucille

Lucille — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 14:03:56 +0000

These comments are great! My guy is only 7, ha ha! But I feel the need to cut and paste this somewhere for future reference. Great great great!!