- #1
Hepth
Gold Member
- 464
- 40
Assume a student such as myself (3rd year PhD) has an RA stipend for graduate school (tuition is paid + some stipend). The stipend is rather small, but technically survivable. Unfortunately I have some debt acquired while an undergraduate, mainly credit card. I have no student loans and have never received financial aid through the government before, including undergrad.
My question is, is it possible to get additional NON-scholarship/grant funding, such as a student loan/personal loan/or federal assistance to basically exchange the credit card debt I have with a lower interest student loan while in graduate school.
I know general purpose loans are rather high in APR, probably as high or higher than my current credit card APR (which is why I haven't rushed to do this yet).
But when filling out a FAFSA or some other federal aid are they just going to say "your tuition is already paid for, we're not giving you anything." Or will they send the school a check, and so my adviser will be happy he doesn't have to pay for tuition and I don't see anything.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm surviving but its basically paycheck to paycheck as a student and I really just want to get a grip on my finances.
Also if it helps I have really good credit.
Thanks!
My question is, is it possible to get additional NON-scholarship/grant funding, such as a student loan/personal loan/or federal assistance to basically exchange the credit card debt I have with a lower interest student loan while in graduate school.
I know general purpose loans are rather high in APR, probably as high or higher than my current credit card APR (which is why I haven't rushed to do this yet).
But when filling out a FAFSA or some other federal aid are they just going to say "your tuition is already paid for, we're not giving you anything." Or will they send the school a check, and so my adviser will be happy he doesn't have to pay for tuition and I don't see anything.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm surviving but its basically paycheck to paycheck as a student and I really just want to get a grip on my finances.
Also if it helps I have really good credit.
Thanks!