Klarinet Archive - Posting 000110.txt from 1998/07
From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.edu> Subj: Re: [kl] what am I going to do? Date: Mon, 6 Jul 1998 09:29:52 -0400
On Sun, 5 Jul 1998, Paulette W. Gulakowski wrote:
> P: It is possible to become an emancipated minor and put yourself
> through college. I'm not sure how, but I have a friend who did it years
> ago when his father threw him out of the house at 15. He finished high
> school and went on for his Business degree - all before the age of 21.
> He had financial aid and worked while he was in college full time.
One need not legally separate themselves from their parents in order
to obtain financial aid and put themselves through college. I had no
illusions about financing my education. I had no father, and my mother
was dirt poor after raising three boys by herself ('never grossed more
than $13K/year her entire life). If I was going to attend college, I'd
have to figure out how to do it myself. Scholarships, loans, and part-
time work while going through school were the key. With respect to ob-
taining loans, the government is flexible when special circumstances
apply. I included an explanatory letter along with my applications
for financial aid -- both to the university, as well as to the govern-
ment (using the FAFSA). After it was made clear that my mother would
not be able to provide any financial assistance at all, my eligibility
for scholarships and loans was adjusted upward to compensate. The lesson:
never write yourself off before asking for the help that you need. Even
with lots of equity in the house and 2 cars in the garage, the government
will not turn a deaf ear to a clear indication of financial need. If I
remember correctly, it is stated on the FAFSA itself that a letter of
explanation should be included if there are any special circumstances
which might affect one's eligibility for aid.
> My heart goes out to you. I keep threatening my kids with community
> college (I'll have three in college in the fall) but I don't mean it. It
> could, however, be an option. Get the general/required courses there and
> you'll be ready to go back to a four year when the time comes.
This is excellent advice. Many kids -- especially high achievers -- stig-
matize community college as "beneath" them, failing to realize that their
high school record will still apply if they attend a community college and
then transfer into a high-ranking 4-year institution. If the college has
a music program of some kind, it is possible to develop a solid foundation
in theory and aural skills, even if the performance program is not on par
with a major university. The money saved by attending a junior college
can be applied to the cost of private lessons with a professional player
outside of the school. Local ensembles and orchestras can provide per-
formance experience to fill the gap left by a junior college. There is
no lack of possible ways to pursue one's musical future if you're determ-
ined. We all have to stop depending on our parents at one point or an-
other. In my case, I made sure that I was NOT recognized as an independent
by the government, because my mother received the more significant tax
credit for having a dependent child in college.
Neil
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