Need advice from electrical engineers.

RoboDude

Hello,

I have done much studying on my own with electrical engineering. I have also successfully built working curcuits, know essential tools like multimeters, solderless breaboards, ect. Know how to make PCB's. Know fundemental laws and formulas. So I don't consider myself a major newbie.
I was thinking about going to college to do further studies in this, but it appears I don't qualify for financial aid. I never planned to work for someone, I plan to be more of an independant researcher. Robotics is my passion and thats what I plan to do.
So, my question is should I still try to go to college to learn about electrical engineering and try to get the money situation with that to work somehow? Or should I just continue independantly learning electrical engineering?

Thanks a ton for the advice.

Averagesupernova

You will never make it as an independent researcher unless you get some formal training and a certain amount of time as an employee.

RoboDude

thanks for the feedback. I suppose I will try to get the financial aid thing to work... somehow...

chroot

You currently do not have the skills necessary to seriously pursue a career in robotics. What you currently know would qualify you for a position as, perhaps, a technician.

Why don't you qualify for financial aid? Anyone can get student loans, even if they're not the best solution. An investment in your education is one of the wisest investments you'll ever make.

- Warren

RoboDude

FAFSA is what I am trying to sign up for. They rejected me because of some tax return thing and how it conflicts with what they want. Don't know the extreme details but my mother is trying some other ideas to get that to work. And if I can't get any grant from FASFA... then I will do student loans. I will work to my Phd!

Thanks for the advice.

chroot

The only reason I can see for not being permitted to apply via FAFSA is if your parents are cheating on their taxes in some way. I suggest you see a good accountant and get it worked out. The FAFSA is the way to go.

- Warren

berkeman

How about attending a local community college near you (assuming you are in the US)? They are very inexpensive options, and after you finish your two years there, you may be in a better position to apply to finish your last two years at a university. At least the student loan would be smaller if you follow that route, and you can use the first two years to see if you are really interested in EE after all.

RoboDude

Its a bit complicated how I was rejected. My mother divorced last year and had a join bank account with her husband and there was a lot of money in the bank. Now FASFA wants the information from the sheet that shows that there is a lot of money in the bank through the joint account, while really the ammount of money in her bank account is no where near that, since the divorce. We are running out of money quickly, and the information on the tax sheet is completely wrong showing we have a lot of money stored in the bank (while really not). Pretty messed up.
If the ideas we are trying do not work, at least next year I believe I will be able to apply for FASFA when the new yearly tax sheets are sent. And in that such case where I can't apply for FASFA this year, I will just get a student loan, and like berkeman said, at least it will be small (since I do plan to go to a JC for the first two years). Sorry if this seems to be getting off the EE topic. None the less, thanks.

chroot

In the absolute worst case, approach whichever bank your mother uses, and ask them for a consumer loan. The rates won't be as competitive as government-sponsored loans, and you'll have to pay interest from the inception of the loan, but at least it will permit you to go to school. Next year, when the financial situation is straightened out, you should be able to get funding for the rest of your education via the FAFSA.

- Warren