Loan confusion, please shed light!

[angela638x]

I was just accepted to a full-time Masters in Clinical Social Work program at Simmons College in Boston, MA. There is NO WAY I can work full-time (as I do now) and do this program, as it is three days of field work and 2 of classes. I make below $30,000 a year right now, but still, it pays my rent/life.

 

I have no means of paying for school besides loans. I will apply for FAFSA on 1/1/13, but what do I do about living expenses like rent and food and general well-being? Is this where gradplus comes in? If so, how do I figure out what I need and what I'll actually get? Does the money go right to the school and they give me what's leftover after tuition? I am totally new to this process as I was lucky enough to have parents who paid my whole undergrad in full.So PLEASE, can someone un-confuse me, at least just a little?

Edited December 27, 2012 by angela638x

[michigan girl]

Have you considered public universities with social work programs? I know that Simmons is a private institution. I attended a public university for my social work degree and was able to take advantage of in-state tuition. GradPLUS loans can be used to pay your tuition and living expenses (up tot the total cost of attendance). 

[bourbon]

Your school will generally have a cost of living estimate. Use that and your personal experience or knowledge of what you need or don't need (ie, will you have a car? Do you already know what your rent will be?) to estimate how much you will need for living expenses. Once you get your financial aid package, add in any remaining tuition that is not covered to the total amount you need. Then towards the end of the summer, you will apply for a gradplus loan through your financial aid office. You will receive whatever amount you ask for, as long as it does not exceed the school's cost of living estimate minus all other financial aid (loans, scholarships, stipends, etc). Generally, if it is for both semesters, the amount will be divided into two and half disbursed in the fall, half in the beginning of the spring semester. The funds are sent to the school, who will take any remaining tuition money owed, and the rest will be sent to you (either check or direct deposit). Then you do as you wish. I took out a buffer of about $2k extra for my first year in case of extra expenses, which I did not need and will save for the second year. However, if you get less than you end up needing, you can always apply for additional money almost at any time, as long as it doesn't exceed that limit. Hope that helps!

Edited January 24, 2013 by bourbon