My situation: Is there any hope?

MrPirate

Hey boards, I didn't know who else to turn to. My situation involving college is rather terrible.

I would be going into my first year, I just did my LC; I got exactly what I wanted in points, I got my first choice in DCU too. But my problem is the money.
I'm not able to get the grant because my dad's income is over the limit, but the combined efforts of a huge mortgage, loans, decreased working hours, levy, income tax increase, etc has resulted in our income that we can actually use to be way below this. But that doesn't matter. I've tried to present my case on more than one occasion to the people it's meant to be to, but nothing. I brought all the proof and still nothing. But oh well..

I had set up a student account with Ulster bank about a month or so ago; when I set it up, the person at the bank put me down for a 1k overdraft. Last Thursday when I went up to Dublin to put a deposit on a house that was amazing AND close to DCU I find out when I try to withdraw the amount I needed that I can't take out more than what I have in it. I go into the bank there and ask about why I can't get into my overdraft and then I find out I have NO overdraft. Why? Because I'm not 18. You would think that they would tell you when you set it up but I guess not. Basically that crushed me. I then asked about student loans; I have to be 18. I'm 6 months away from 18. I wanted to kill everything.

My parents have saved up absolutely NOTHING for me over the 17 and a half years of my existance. Not a cent saved up for college. I could understand if there was no money there, but prior to us moving here (I'm an Irish and US citizen) my dad was making a good bit more than here so I don't see why nothing was put aside when it was available...

So yeah, that's basically my situation: My parents have done nothing for me (which I got into a huge fight with them about just the other day), I can't get a grant, I can't get an overdraft, I can't get a student loan, I had to give up the place in that house. I don't think I'll get to even go to college at this rate. My mother says that I will and that I'll have to commute from Longford everyday for the first while...

I'm on the verge of collapsing here, is there any hope for me at all?

leesmom

sorry to hear that, that really sucks and as for commuting from longford to dcu? does your mom actually realise how far it is? my cousin lived in newbridge and moved up ro dublin beacuse the commute was too much(not in anyway as far as longford)
the grant thing is a load of crap tbh, beacause i have no parents am under 23 i cant get it without a serious amount of documentation which tbh is not even worth it seeing as it will probably be rejected.
i really hope someone can give you some useful advice, you earned your college place and it shouldnt be taken away from you.
i know if it was my son trying to get to college i would do everything to scrape every penny together to get him there, hopefully your parents will do something to help you out

dazzday

Really sucks dude. My only real advice is looking for a part time job either in Dublin or Longford and try and reach a compromise with your parents (even €50 a week would help). As soon as you hit 18 then a student loan should get you buy until summer.
Have you contacted the DCU welfare offices or guidance counciller? They will be able to outline all options available for you, perhaps you may be eligable for something from the student disadvantaged fund. Definately should be your first point of call.

RoyalMarine

could your parents not take out a loan and you make the re-payment's with a part-time job or something?

Sad Professor

Sorry to hear about your difficulty, OP.

Unfortunately because you are under 18 and your parents income is over the threshold for the grant, you're are unlikely to be able to avail of any other student support either (I'm open to correction on this however). But maybe as suggested above, they might be able to get a loan to get you through the first while. And I don't fancy your chances but start looking for part-time work as well.

I don't want to pass judgement on your parents. It really is a family matter tbh. Times are hard for everyone, and lots of families on good incomes have found themselves in deep water. Sounds like your parents may have to rejig their finances somewhat, which is not an easy thing to do in current circumstances.

As long as they are still supportive of you going to college and are willing to work out something better down the road, there's always hope. You may just have to grin and bare it for the first while.

I hope everything works out.

ontour

Could you not apply for the grant, using the change of circumstances? If your fathers working hours and income has been decreased, you need him to get a letter from his boss stating his new income and that is has reduced since last year?

AT111

"My parents have done nothing for me" - apart from feed you, cloth you and generally rear you for 17 and 1/2 years - poor you. What about your savings from summer work, I know that wouldn't cover all your costs but it would help. I presume you knew you wanted to go to college, what planning had you done for it. I'm sorry for having a go at you, but you sound like you want it on a plate. First step, go back and talk maturely to your parents..

pervertedcoffee

That sucks - basically I was in the same situation, thankfully my relatives have pulled through at the last minute. Not much advice here I'm afraid. But take solice in the fact your not the only one...:(

Maybe if you got a good number of points for the course you could just reject your place (it's too late to deffer) and work for a year???

nofi

As a last resort and you can't get help from anyone, you could contact the V de P , this from the Longford leader newspaper.
ST VINCENT De PAUL
You may contact the local Conference of St. Vincent De Paul in confidence at 086 0868733.Just leave your name and contact number and your call will be returned.

brownacid

Ok man, you seriously need to chill out, I dont mean to make a broad generalisation here but it seems like a large number of 17/18 year olds oing to college tese days seem to have it in their heads that they are entitled to having everything paid for my their parents(this being judged on experiences with my lil bro and his mates and just other people iv talked to). Im going into third year now, my parents haven paid a penny towards my college education, its always been known in my house that the parents pay for scholng and then seeing as college is optional you pay for that yoruself. Iv managed, I work a part time job, granb as many hours as possible during the year and have had to take days off from college during teh year to work so i have money.

College for you is entirely possible so long as you put the effort in. As you said you only have to wait six months before you can get a loan and you can be your comfortable self again.
My advice? Stop bitchin', grow up a bit and sort out a job or something.