a little help with life..

so since most of you all here are older than me and i'm not getting any help at home, i figured you were the right people to ask.

my dad calls me an embarrassment to the whole family. he said he's never going to let me forget that's what i am to them. he turned off my cell phone permanently now so i need to get my own plan and i am putting myself through college and am paying for life completely myself from this point on.

i'm determined not to let them bring me down and tear me apart with their constant insults anymore. i never want to come back here again or for a very long time. since i'm rather inexperienced with financial things and life and i'm getting no help from them, would anyone be able to tell me how to get a credit card? what i need to know about them? where are the best ones? any special discounts or deals for college students?

secondly, is there anything i need to know about cell phone plans? hidden fees or deals? big question, do i need a credit score to sign up for my own plan, especially for cingular?

thirdly, what do i need to know about getting college loans? are there any banks or loans you would/could recommend? does moving out of state during the summer months disqualify me for in-state tuition for the next year? when can i submit a new FAFSA as an independent? my parents both make over $100,000+ a year, so let's just say the government help i got was rather meager and my parents are not contributing.

thanks so much for your help guys. and for those of you who are going to say tough shit or that i deserve this, please don't bother posting.

find the financial aid department at the college and talk to them they can help you find student loans and grants
You'll most likely approve for a pale grant
grants you dont have to pay back but the loans you do after x amount of time from graduating

Also for cellphones depending on your credit depends on how much you have to pay for a security deposit. You can go to the cinguler score and they can run it for you and tell you how much you would need

Don't get a credit card. Whatever you do, don't get one.

Talk to me later about financial aid crap, my parents haven't disowned me, but we don't have the money to pay for school, so I can definitely help you out with that.

As far as cell phone stuff, at your age and situation I don't think you should get a plan. Too much commitment. Go ghetto and get a boost...







...and for God's sake, stop embarrassing your parents. (Joking)

Credit cards are bad and evil which is why i wont get one
My mom has 3 of them and between the 3 she owes almost $5,000 on em

Bro sorry to hear that. WTF caused that??? Well at least you are 18. I'm sure most of the guys who visit this page are more like 16 or somthing. I would try and get all of your funding through the bank. They usually have very low interest. and at least you know where all your payments go to. but I'm thinking its hard for somone your age......... maybe if you have security, what do you own???? also if you apply for an overdraft you usually don't have to make payments untill you want to. and there should be 0 to minimal charges, at least thats how it works with ANZ here in NZ. Go ring around and see what banks have to offer, and tell them your sittuation..........

Bro sorry to hear that

:lol: How obvious does she have to make it?

:lol: How obvious does she have to make it?
yeah no shit i figured changing my avatar to what it is now would get rid of ANY doubt left..

Sorry to hear about your situation. But with respect to going to college and paying for it yourself is a very bold and smart move. Nothing beats an education. Here's a link that will help you out. Its what all financial aid offices will ask you to fill out irrespective of the need. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ (I'm assuming that you're in the states.) Then the financial aid office will try to supplement whatever it is that the government cannot provide. Some come in the form of grants (which is free money for education), work study, and loans. There are also alot of loans with alot of terms. Basically, if you can get the loan, take it. The hardest part about borrowing money for education is getting the money to begin with. The bank typically does not require payment to start until you finish school. Sometimes that is not the case so just look out.

As for credit cards, I think its a good idea to get one but use self control. The reason why I believe credit cards are so easy for you to get in college is that college is viewed as a huge financial undertaking and it speaks on your behalf in terms of financial responsibility. Use your best judgement. I never leave anything outstanding on my credit card. I just use it to defer payment until the end of the month. If you look at it in that sense, the credit card would work in your favor.

I dunno but if this keeps up im gonna think shes a transvestit

As was said go to the financial services department of you school. They'll help get you on the right track. I would ask them about credit cards as well.

While part of me says don't get a credit card, the financially conscious part says do get yourself a credit card. BUT use it VERY VERY sparingly. I would start off by only using it in an emergency. And I'm very serious about this, pay it off each month. If you can get in to that habit, you'll learn to spend wisely and not waste your money on unecessary items.

The reason I say get a credit card is so that you can start building credit. Credit is very important. If you pay off your card and stay on top of everything the bank fairy will bless you when you take out a loan later in life. Not to mention employers are looking more and more at a person credit rating, not just past criminal history.

Once you get a job and know around where you're monthly income will be, set up an Excel speadsheet of you expenses. Take what you make each month, divide it out among bills and see what you have left. I also recommend if possible taking 10% of the income left post expenses, which may be next to impossible at this current stage, and stashing it in savings. If that's not possible at least put in $50 a month or something. You'll be glad you did down the road.

It sucks you're going through this, but good for you for taking charge and showing your parents they fucked over the wrong person. They're own flesh and blood at that.

Only get a card though if you know for sure that your are ready for one. Meaning dont get one if you think there is a chance that you will go out and buy a bunch of stuff and come close to maxing it out. I would use it to pay bills or by grocerys or something that way its a small amount and your helpin to build your credit in a maintened fashion'

Only get a card though if you know for sure that your are ready for one. Meaning dont get one if you think there is a chance that you will go out and buy a bunch of stuff and come close to maxing it out. I would use it to pay bills or by grocerys or something that way its a small amount and your helpin to build your credit in a maintened fashion'
i'm more mature than that, you should know that by now. i only intend on using it to buy things i absolutely have to or to build a credit score. i intend to pay off the full balance every month. i am determined to never ever have to come back here, i could never think of asking them for money. when i was 16 they got this idea in their head that since i got my first job their fiscal obligations towards me were complete.

so i'm already 2 years into planning out my money, saving everything, not impulse buying. i haven't bought a cd in years. if i want something so bad, i'll borrow it from the library and burn it, or stream it off the internet until i get sick of it. i'm a big girl now :p

yes i know that but its was also a warning for anyone else that was thinkin about getting one since alot of people have the chance of reading this

I agree with everyone about the credit card, only use it when you absolutely need to. To make the strain of university a little smaller, try mooching as much as you can off people, and go on a food plan. nothing sucks more than having to live off of kraft dinner for months on end. but try to save pennies everywhere you go, instead of buying $50 shirts, buy $20 shirts, or be like me with my $10 shirts and $30-40 jeans lol. if you live in an appartment, buy noname everything, it's cheap and you don't need the luxury, you need the money, worry about luxury when you're done.

also, apply to every scholarship you can find, you have no idea how much money goes unclaimed because nobody bothered to apply. I'm lucky, my parents are helping out with university, i still have to pay some, and it's subsidised by the canadian government, so i don't need it as much but every little bit helps. i have a few websites that i can give you if you want.

How are your marks? if they aren't very good, think about taking an extra year before university to raise them and get a job in the meantime (if you dont already have one) just to help out with paying it off and to give yourself a better chance of getting scholarships.

again, financial aid is good, student loans as well. you're obviously not going to be able to pay it off for quite a while but don't sweat, don't think about the debt you're going to enter because it will be well worth it in the long run. just keep your head up and think to the future and how much better it will be.

once you're in university, if you have time and your courses aren't so hard you spend all your time studying, find something you love, like a sport or hobby (like cars, who would imagine that would come up in a forum like this), it'll help pass the time, meet some people, and give you something to think about instead of your home situation and your course load. I've got rowing, even if you dont get into a specific sport, excercise. even if it's only a half hour per day on a bike, it'll deffinitly help you stay happy and focused.

I might be taking a year off before university, it depends on who accepts me, but ill try to help you out with whatever advice i can come accross, I know how stressful it can get (well not on the family side, but i know alot of people who have been in similar situations and i know what it can do to you), but keep your head up and go strong.

I can't help so much on the financial side of things concidering i haven't had to manage my money so far. but i agree that you should set up an excell spreadsheet with all of your expenses, alocate what money you have to pay off your bills and such, then with what money you have left, if any, decide what to do with it, either put it away for future expenses and for security, or treat yourself every once in a while to something good. just make sure you know how much money you have to spend before you do because a credit card can look like a good crutch until the debt gets big enough that they start taking your crap.

just keep your head high and you'll make it through, if you want it bad enough.

Just be careful with student loans. I had multiple loans (5) through 2 different banks, they all had the same account number (they used to use your social security number as the account number) and it was a nightmare paying them off. I thought I was paying on one loan and the payment was going towards a different loan. Also, consolidate them as soon as you can, that will lower the payment. Good luck, it sucks what your parents are doing to you.

You can get a Debit MasterCard(I have one with my bank, Chase). You can use it just like a credit card, obviously. It doesn't build credit though. But it will not ruin your credit either, just your checking account ;) As for paying for school, good! When you are out of school and you got loans out the ying yang is when you can really make or break yourself. Pay those loans on time! You can break them into managable chunks depending on your budget. So what if it takes you 10 years to pay them back, it only helps to build credit in the long run. I was able to move into a great new apartment because I have outstaning credit, all from paying my loans.

As for the cell phone, be careful...

You'll probably have to go with a cheapo month to month plan. If you want to get something like cingular their minimum plan is like 40 bux a month, plus you are signing a contract for at least 1 year I believe. Also, they will run a credit check on you! Since you probably have no credit they are going to hit you with a nice fat payment (I would expect over 200 easily) PLUS you have to buy the phone, which would be another 100 or so. Cell phones aren't cheap!

Good luck and remember to keep your head up.

^shit, i got tmobile on my own and i had no credit. I was approvedfor two free phones with a purchase of one of their plans.

More than likely, you won't get better than 16% APR. If you get lower, take, but read the fine print. I got one that I got like 10% or less, but it was for only 3 months then went up. Mine's 12% which is great for a newbie teen. Um, if you get one, control is a must and for me, I use it for gas. I know it'll total to under $200 a month and I can def pay it off. Screw a cell phone but if you do, go boost or something. Prepay is a little more in the long run, but with the situation, it's youre best bet so you dont have to add another monthly payment in your life.

I'm doing all this seperation thing too so i know where you are. Um, college loans, idk. I'm with Navy Fed so I got the best. Apply for any and ever scholarship. I have. Heck, some it's just money that you can do whatever with. ANY AND ALL i really cant stress that enough.

Any more questions, feel free to ask. I just started makin car/insurance payments and so i pay around $500 a month total, one paycheck, depending on whats on teh card. Thus, why i'm getting another job. :D

i already have a cell so i don't have to worry about buying a new one. a prepaid phone would rape me in the worst way. i got my newest phone on march 15 and on may 8 i have already talked for 124 hours, 28 minutes and 56 seconds. and that doesn't include texting hours...i am very dependent on my phone and a plan is a must for me.

TMobile would work out the best for me but their coverage where i live is virtually nonexistant so that's a no-go. i like cingular cuz my RAZR is a cingular one so i wouldn't have to get a new phone, plus they have a lot of the features i like, such as rollover and no roaming or long distance.

thanks so much for all your support tonight guys, it really means a lot to me :smooch:

Ok, so I didn't have the time to read everybody's responses, so if I repeat anything I'm sorry. But i went the same things, so I figure I can answer some of the questions rather well.

A) cell phone, I'm 23 and have never had one. Yes it is inconvient at times, but I've survived. I lived for a year in a house without any cell or landline. I used AIM to communicate and it worked out fine. So you could really save yourself some money if you are willing to do that.

B) As far as the entire mess with FAFSA. Here you are in a tough spot. I tried to declare myself independent at 18. The problem is, generally school tuition offices will not allow you to do that until you meet quite a few criteria. I had already moved out from my mom's house in PA. Established an address up in NY, gotten an NY drivers license, insurance, plates/registration, registered voter, paid NY taxes, and it was still a PITA. You have to bring in tax returns of yours to show that you make enough money to support yourself, and that you have lived apart for over a year. So check with your financial aid office/registrar's office to find out the requirements for this.

Another BIG thing, is your parents cannot claim you as a dependent on THIER returns, and chances are, they will, especially if they have a CPA do them. This screwed me for 2 years.

And if that weren't enough. FAFSA, will not consider you independent until you are either married, in the military, 25 years old, or possibly a grad student. Even if you consider yourself completely independent, they wont. And with the $ your parents pull down in salaries, I think you will be hard pressed to get much int he way of grants. Your best bet is to file asap each year, and hope for the best, but don't hope too much.



C) Student loans. Go to your financial aid office and talk with an advisor. Find out about the different types (unsubsidized vs. subsidized). Many schools will only let you take out money (in your own name) based on what year you are in. This sucks, because if they limit you to 2-3k a year as a freshman, that is not enough to live off of if you have to pay bills.

Parent loans however, can usually be taken out for substantially more. I'm talking like 8-10k a year, maybe more. All of these loans are great because they usually are only for a measly 4% interest. Although, if you take out parent loans, your parents will have to consent, and htey will be in their names, so the burden to pay them back is technically on them. However, if you are a good kid, you shouldn't make them pay a dime.

Anyway, almost all of these loans can be defered until you graduate, and even afterwards, you have plenty of payment options to fit your post-college income.

Anyway, talk to your financial advisor, and see what the options are. Always keep in mind interest rates, and what's great about student loans, is they are usually LOW and don't accumulate interest while you are still in school.

D) credit cards. These are the killer. They are so easy to get as college students, and so hard to keep on top of. With teh high interest rates, and such low minimum payments, they can cost you SOOOO much money. I seriously seriously recommend being the most cautious about these.

If you do get one, my advice is to never pay the minimums. Always try to pay it completely off every month. If you cannot do that, at least pay more than the minimum.

Now if you absolutely must get one, be picky. You want a fixed rate, not variable, and you want as low as you can go. If you can land one at under 10% for your first card, awesome. Also don't apply for a bunch. Just 1.
Keep in mind, if you miss a payment, or overdraw, your rates will ROCKET up. Be prepared for $35 fines and your doubled interest rates overnight.


I think thats a good start. Honestly, first things first, sit down with your parents and figure out if you are technically 'independent' from them or not. Honestly, both have their advantages and you need to figure out which will be the most beneficial. If you are indepenent sit down with every financial aid person you can at your school and go from there. For me, despite trying so hard to make myself independent, I got screwed by my mom's CPA, and she ended up claiming me as a dependent. So when I got rejected for instate tuition, I had a talk with her and got her to co-sign on the parent loans. I took out 20k in her name, and another 13k in mine, and have been making all the payments myself.
So yeah, the point, if they still are claiming you on taxes, make sure you don't burn your bridges with them, so that you can get them to co-sign or do parent loans, if need be.

PM me if you have any questions, because I literally just went through all of this in the past 5 years.


Couple more things.
If you are going to go through a bank for any loan. Try to find a local indepedent bank if possible. They generally have lower interest rates then the larger chain banks that have a national sports arena named after them.
Also for checking accounts/debit cards, pretty much a must have for students, ask about student accounts. Many checking accounts have minimum balances, or a monthly fee, or junk like that. If you ask about it, or talk to bank managers, many times you can lock in an awesome deal as a student. I have ABSOLUTELY free everything checking, as does my brother.


Lastly, no offense, but your dad sounds like a dick.

Also, consolidate them as soon as you can, that will lower the payment.


Many times, when you consolidate student loans, while you do lock in the lower rates, you forfit your deferment period, and have to start paying them back within 6 months of consolidating them. This sucks if you are still in school and all of a sudden have more crap to pay each month. Consolidate as soon as you graduate IMO.

Reading this makes me happy the student loan system in NZ is so simple (even though in many ways it's one big fuck up)

You apply for a loan to pay for your courses, bang, it pays for all your courses. You get up to $150 a week for living expenses (but it's a loan so you have to pay back). Alternatively you can get the student allowance if you meet the (fucking stupid) criteria, in which you can get up to 150 a week that you don't have to pay back.

But yeah, that's NZ.

My parents aren't supporting me at all, because they just can't afford to. Plus, I think I fucked them around enough last year so I'm glad I'm not getting money off them this year.

Your parents sound like they can't wait to get rid of you, sounds like a shitty situation, and from the sounds of it you haven't really done anything to deserve it.

Kia Kaha. (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&hs=70j&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&defl=en&q=define:kia+kaha&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title)

I don't think anyone has addressed the residency question.

For most states, in order to get in-state tuition, you have to have lived and worked there for a year before applying to school. Although it seems like a long time, this would get you in a position of having a job and getting used to being out on your own before you added on the task of college.

Credit cards? While it may be important to build your credit (so you can buy a house down the road) it's more important not to get into massive debt. I've been down that road, and getting out is not pretty, and generally takes quite awhile. With the new laws in the US about declaring bankruptcy, that simple option has probably been taken away from you.

If you get a credit card, use it once a month for a small purchase then pay it off. But IMO you're better off having a debit card that subtracts directly from your checking account, at least for now. I no longer have any credit cards, and have a savings account to use for emergencies. Yes, it was painful to save up, but I'm better off getting interest on that balance, than paying interest on that balance. It's a big swing.

One solution no one has suggested for the independence, is going to court to gain it. We've all seen the TV programs where Hollywood kids go to court and become emancipated from their parents. I'd think that court document would be enough to indicate to the grant/loan institutions that you were out on your own, and it's certainly worth taking a look at.

Good luck with it; I knew several people in college in a similar situation; sure they worked hard and didn't party as much as the rich kids (or at all) but they were quite satisfied, having done it on their own. You CAN do it!!

so since most of you all here are older than me and i'm not getting any help at home, i figured you were the right people to ask.

my dad calls me an embarrassment to the whole family. he said he's never going to let me forget that's what i am to them. he turned off my cell phone permanently now so i need to get my own plan and i am putting myself through college and am paying for life completely myself from this point on.

i'm determined not to let them bring me down and tear me apart with their constant insults anymore. i never want to come back here again or for a very long time. since i'm rather inexperienced with financial things and life and i'm getting no help from them, would anyone be able to tell me how to get a credit card? what i need to know about them? where are the best ones? any special discounts or deals for college students?

secondly, is there anything i need to know about cell phone plans? hidden fees or deals? big question, do i need a credit score to sign up for my own plan, especially for cingular?

thirdly, what do i need to know about getting college loans? are there any banks or loans you would/could recommend? does moving out of state during the summer months disqualify me for in-state tuition for the next year? when can i submit a new FAFSA as an independent? my parents both make over $100,000+ a year, so let's just say the government help i got was rather meager and my parents are not contributing.

thanks so much for your help guys. and for those of you who are going to say tough shit or that i deserve this, please don't bother posting.

Come to Australia.

Not only can you easily get our crappy government to pay for your university but you NEVER HAVE TO PAY THEM BACK1!!11! MUAHAHAHAHAA!111!SHIFT1!!

Well... You do...

But you only start paying them back after you get a job that earns you over 35k a year or something, awesome huh.

Oh, and if you get a credit card you'll find your self in more trouble than ever before.

You can sleep on my couch.

hey your back, thought you were gone for good or something, BTW dont get a CC there evil

Sry if someone already asked in the thread, but, may I ask how you got into that situation with your parents?

there bitches, plain and simple

Work it out with the parents. It will be cheaper, and you won't be in debt up to your neck by the time you get out of college.

Sry if someone already asked in the thread, but, may I ask how you got into that situation with your parents?
this is the way they've treated me for the last 5 years or so. they used to be really awesome, when i was younger i LOVED my parents. they were fair, caring, fun, never rude or hurtful. i think it has something to do with them being unhappy in their personal lives and now i'm the victim of their abuse all the time. idk, w/e it is it's not fair and i don't like it.

i've done everything that they ask of me, followed all their rules and guidlines and stuff, and i've come to realize no matter how hard i try, no matter what i accomplish, i'll never be good enough in their eyes.

Work it out with the parents. It will be cheaper, and you won't be in debt up to your neck by the time you get out of college.
i've tried that, trust me. i've done everything i can think of to reconcile but nothing works. sitting down and talking doesn't do much cuz my mom is often immature about it and gets shouty or calls me names or will give me the silent treatment when i go and try and discuss and issue with her. like i just posted above, it's been 5 very long, difficult, self-esteem killing years. i just want to wash my hands of it and move on on my own.

I would say hold off on the credit card...if you have it, you WILL use it sometimes when you shouldn't, and that can get you into trouble. Instead, just use a debit card, so that you HAVE to have the money before you spend it. I'm sure that you feel mature enough to regulate your spending closely, but trust me, it's very difficult to do in college.

Well welcome to the "I'm going to college and can't pay it off" group. I'm in the same boat. UTI is going to run me nearly $28k. I agree with what was said on the last page, sign up for the FAFSA, get your PIN code, and sign up and complete every possible scholarship that pertains to what you're going to major in.

And remember.....


WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!

:icon16:

Do you absolutely NEED a cell phone? Why?

Dont you know that everyone "needs" a cellphone. its just the way it is. and for the why part is so she can talk to me :P

i think you should try to live without a cellphone or crdit card as much as possible because they'll cost alot of money. i've never had a cellphone, of course it kinda helps that i live with all of my friends lol (boardng school)

Neither do I have one but the down side is that every one thinks I'm retarded for not having one. I get to know alot of different people and they ask for my cell I'm like shit the dog ate it again bad boy!!! ARRRRGGGGG.

what would you do if a girl asks for your phone number then?

i can't live without my phone, its my social life-support machine.

you absolutely need a cell phone. In college, everybody is from all over the US. different out-of-state area codes.so dont even think about getting a regular phone. I always forget when i go home and start calling all my friends long distance. then again... theres always facebook...

Hate talking on the phone haha... my call history is full of 1 minute calls.

Except when Danielle calls me... the I get stuck on it for 20-30-40 minutes... so I make use of the time and go to the bathroom, fold laundry... or stare at the ceiling and count the stucko specks. :lol:

what would you do if a girl asks for your phone number then?

You give your phone number to random girls? :frown:

You give your phone number to random girls? :frown:

no, only this one guy wearing hotpants and a really tight pink spandex top. seemed like a nice guy, had a lisp...

no, only this one guy wearing hotpants and a really tight pink spandex top. seemed like a nice guy, had a lisp...

Hey don't be dissin spandex, i wear it every morning and i'm perfectly straight, that shit is comfortable (I've got to wear it for rowing).

Anyways, i wasn't saying dont get a phone, just not a cell phone, get a normal phone, it'll be cheaper.

Hate talking on the phone haha... my call history is full of 1 minute calls.

Except when Danielle calls me... the I get stuck on it for 20-30-40 minutes... so I make use of the time and go to the bathroom, fold laundry... or stare at the ceiling and count the stucko specks. :lol:
don't forget sanding down a 6 inch model car or eating PB & J sammiches. and it's not like you don't call me either. i thought you liked talking to me...:frown:

oh and dont even try and act like the pickles weren't fun.

You give your phone number to random girls? :frown:
no there not random. He takes his time stalking and photographing them before he chooses which ones to give his number too.

no there not random. He takes his time stalking and photographing them before he chooses which ones to give his number too.
oh stop it. u make james bond sound like some sort of freaky perv in the bushes with his camera. and he's not giving his number out to random girls. i'm friends with him and it took me 7 months to get his number. of course, he gave it to bryan and mo way sooner..so i'm pretty sure it's not random girls you have to worry about nicole

"call me"

"stalk you"

:rolleyes:

"call me"

"stalk you"

:rolleyes:
haha what movie was that from? i remember i wanted to go see it but totally forgot..

no there not random. He takes his time stalking and photographing them before he chooses which ones to give his number too.

i don't really give it to them, i have a rubber stamp. after i get my pics i run past and stamp it on their foreheads.

i was wondering why all the girls had 1-888-male-slut on their foreheads for

too many #'s 1-888-man-slut

quteasabutten,

Credit cards aren't bad or evil. Use them responsibly and you're all good. You need to build credit. Good credit. With a good to great credit scrore you're ahead of the game. If you do ever get a credit card never go over your limit. Lets say your limit is $500.00, only spend up to $250.00 max. This shows the company and creditors you're using you card responsibly. Only spend what you can afford and never send the credit card company the minium payment. Always send in extra money or pay in full.

haha what movie was that from? i remember i wanted to go see it but totally forgot..


Some cheerleading or gymnastics movie. Don't remember what it's called, but I saw the preview yesterday.

WOW... that's some shit. lots of good advise so far. how you holding up yourself? i hope you're couping with stress n all ok. all i can say is when life throws you curve balls like this one, you gotta just give it your best swing.

btw, movie's called "Stick It"... looks gay.

btw, movie's called "Stick It"... looks gay.

Yeah looks like a terrible movie.. im amazed that girl with the humongous nose didnt poke out everybody's eyes on accident with that thing..

Credit cards are bad and evil which is why i wont get one
My mom has 3 of them and between the 3 she owes almost $5,000 on em


That's nothing. I know of people who have 3+ cards with $10K+ balances on each. We have one friend going through a divorce who has $95K in credit debt.

Reading this makes me happy the student loan system in NZ is so simple (even though in many ways it's one big fuck up)

You apply for a loan to pay for your courses, bang, it pays for all your courses. You get up to $150 a week for living expenses (but it's a loan so you have to pay back). Alternatively you can get the student allowance if you meet the (fucking stupid) criteria, in which you can get up to 150 a week that you don't have to pay back.

But yeah, that's NZ.

My parents aren't supporting me at all, because they just can't afford to. Plus, I think I fucked them around enough last year so I'm glad I'm not getting money off them this year.

Your parents sound like they can't wait to get rid of you, sounds like a shitty situation, and from the sounds of it you haven't really done anything to deserve it.

Kia Kaha. (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&hs=70j&lr=&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&defl=en&q=define:kia+kaha&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title)


WTF? It's probably about the best student loan system there is, interest free loans, I mean honestly, how can you get any better than that? It's about the one good thing Uncle Harry (Errr Helen) has done.


Student ALLOWANCE is screwed though, I can claim one, just like a majority of other students with self-employed parents can, even though a good amount of people far worse off than me can't (Well I used to be in 2004 anyway)


quteasabutton- Be glad they cancelled your cellphone, cellphones are about the worst things on the planet. Also pickle is going to come and beat you up for stealing her avatar.

quteasabutton- Also pickle is going to come and beat you up for stealing her avatar.
:frown: i took it from some maxima chick who hadn't been on here for over a year..

:frown: i took it from some maxima chick who hadn't been on here for over a year..

pshh, avatar theif.

pshh, avatar theif.

Speak for yourself, I used this avatar when I first got here, recently took it off and now im back, claiming..

rally/vinny who is the guy in your avatar?

Speak for yourself, I used this avatar when I first got here, recently took it off and now im back, claiming..

lying little mexican. :smokin:

bsides, hatchet man suits you much better