[Victoria'smom]

I've been to different schools, for many years, because I've had a hard time being stable in one area for more then six months. This results in us moving a lot and changing schools a lot. I would have gave up a long time ago but I promised my grandfather I'd graduate but had / have trouble believing I'll ever be stable. However we have lived in the same area for Two YEARS So I feel ready to possibly challenge school again but just part time for the summer. The secretary at the financial aid office was a real jerk. It almost made me not attempt college again. I know he has no real say in anything but he was so condescending and asking me how I think I'm going to pay off the loans and blah, blah, blah. It took everything in me not to scream at him!! I can't understand why people feel they can treat others like crap because they have no idea who they are talking to.

I could sit there and give him reasons why school has not worked out for me the other 5x I went but doesn't perseverance count for anything?

[mazing]

I'm sorry to hear you have had such trouble with the aid office Sometimes people can be horrible. I believe that it takes great courage to keep trying and not give up - so from me the perseverance definitely does count

I hope you can work it all out

[Fresia]

Ignore him. There's a lot to be said for the strength and courage that it takes and comes from perseverance. Do what is right for you, and whether it is school or anything else, do not let anyone sway you from your goals. Get the school code for financial aid and file your FAFSA at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Summer there are at least 6 credit hours required to get aid, but loans are still possible if less hours.
Do what is best for you and your goals, and all else will fall into line. Good luck!

[Perna]

I don't find being asked my plans on how I am going to pay off my loans by a financial aid officer condescending; that's their job. No one is going to lend money to someone who isn't going to be able to pay it off.

If you are only going to school because you promised your grandfather you would graduate; that is not a reason that can work very easily. It is your life and you have to live it now, for you. Until you really want to go to school, for yourself, you probably are not going to succeed. Perseverance can be important but is not the only thing needed to succeed and, used alone, is not likely to work.

[Oxidopamine]

Money doesn't grow on trees and no school will give you a loan out of the generosity of their heart. Part of the secretary's job is to know whether you can and will pay off the loan. Trying to satisfy a promise you made to your grandfather is a nice gesture but ultimately, you have to want to succeed. If you don't have a personal reason to want to succeed, then perseverance is only going to get you so far. For example, is there a dream you want to fulfill, something you want to change in the world regardless of how big or small, a specific career you've idolized, or various other personal reasons.

If you don't have any desire to go to school for yourself, then I agree wholeheartedly with Perna. Prove to us we're wrong.

[Travelinglady]

I agree about folks in public positions sometimes being really unkind. As the other folks say, if you really want to finish school, then perseverance is important.

[Victoria'smom]

catgoesmeow- Thank-you,
Firesa- Thank-you for your suggestion, I fill out the fasfa first of January whether I plan to attend school or not, just in case.

Perna- He wasn't a financial aid officer he was a temporary secretary, for that day.HE does not get a choice it's up to the government how much I'm allowed to take out. I am not nor will I ever go to that limit. There are payment options that fit any budget. Just because this state is lucky enough to have extremely low tuition they have no rights to judge my past amounts un-needed because they have not looked at other states tuition costs.

Perina & Oxidopamine,-
Promises are not allowed to be broken, especially to a man that I respect and honor. When I give my word it is set in stone no matter what. It's not given often or lightly. I didn't even promise in my wedding vows! I have never made a promise to my child, I don't plan to ever either. I only make promises to my husband when he's concerned about my safety. It kinda bothers me that you would refer to keeping a promise so lightly as a "nice gesture", or "not a reason". At times this promises has kept me alive!

It's not that nor have I ever NOT wanted to go to school and I have never taken school lightly. I do and always have had big dreams. Yes, I have failed at school several times all due to MI related problems. I have a team of doctors I trust and hospitalizations will not interfere with my education, this time, according to therapist, and pdoc. We are trying to set up several options so that becoming homeless wont stop us either.

Even if I end up only being able to work sporadically, part-time it's a huge accomplishment. I could have never predicted how hard MI would effect my life and it kills me watching my younger sister encountering the same thing. If it was all about brains and tests I'd be out by now but schools love to change their structure and affiliation mid-degree.