Yeah, for on-campus financial aid you have to take a certain amount of units which varies by school to school. The more units, the better is the golden rule of thumb..
I'm not sure if you are familiar with the standard unit system that goes by most schools in USA, but it's like this in case you are not aware:
1 unit = 1 hour per class
recommended allotted study hours = units x 2
Usually less than 12units (12 hours a week in classes) is considered part time. The max most people are allowed or can usually go is 18 units. The main reason why is due to the school hoping you partake your free time in studies.
in your case:
So, as you can calculate, 12 hours minimum of class, and 24 hours of studying for those classes - for your 7 day week, subtracting 7 hours of sleep everyday, that's 83 hours of time for work or free time. If you subtract the weekend (sat and sun) hours from that 83 figure, you only have 53 hours per M-F to work or whatever else. This is still considered to qualify for full time.
However like you have said, you got 2 jobs - this sounds like it will be hard to fit the schedule. I can understand that pain and remember what it was like working and school at the same time! Almost no time to relax at all.
For loan options you will need to look from various places you can try. Your bank will always have a loan option, but there will be interest. The average loan interest rate is like 5-6% now I believe, I am not sure with the up to date numbers, you will have to check with your bank.
But there are other government methods you could look into. Fill out your FAFSA first (
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid), get a copy from the admin office or do it online.
One is called the
Perkins Loan - It is a fixed 5% loan rate applicable to anyone who meets the following conditions:
•Enrollment in an eligible school at least half-time in a degree program
•U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or eligible non-citizen status
•Satisfactory academic progress
•No unresolved defaults or overpayments owed on Title IV education loans and grants
•Satisfaction of all Selective Service requirements
Another is the
Stafford Loan - I've never tried this so I cannot speak for it - their website states their terms however.
These are the two federal student loan programs that I know of.
If you could, after you fill out the FAFSA you could try seeing if you can qualify for the
Pell Grant. I had this throughout my stay at a University in CA, and never had to pay for my tuition for two years (about $~40K worth). Basically after you fill out the FAFSA, you will get determined if you qualify for this loan or not. There may be other grants, I'm sure there are - but their names escape me at the moment.
Last but not least - be cautious, don't fall for some random loan fliers that are around school. I've heard on the news lately that some of these are scams meant to earn money off you.
PM a mod - Jolie or Vamp, see if they can move your thread to general or education section, because this is a more business orientated section and you might not get all the replies due to people not finding the topic.
