Hello,

I am a student of Engineering at Dayton, OH. I am currently under extreme stress financially since my folks back home have run out of funds to support my education and themselves. I am the only son. Currently the only way for me to survive would be to graduate with the degree. However, due to the overwhelming financial pressure I have been finding it extremely difficult to keep myself focussed. If anyone at all out there can help me, please do. Since the forums rules state that I can not publish my e-mail address or messenger handles, I will just keep checking back in these forums for a hopefully helpful reply. I am at my wit's end...everything looks black ahead...

Hey---

Tough situation you're in. When you say back home, I assume you mean India. As far as funds are concerned, you may want to talk to officials in your International Admissions Office (not sure what it's called at your school). See if there is a way to waive your tuition. I've seen it happen before. I am not sure what the procedure is, but it's worth a shot. Also, if they cannot waive it completely, see if they can reduce the amount due, or make some sort of a deal that you will pay for it at later time. I don't know...i am just throwing ideas out there. When do you graduate? You may even want to try taking a semester off and working to try to help pay for tuition --- co-oping.

As far as concentraion goes, I don't know if I can really help you there. Try to focus on school (as hard as it can be), and in the meantime see if you can research what options are available through you college. I am sure there are other people in similar situations like you; find out what avenues they explore, if it's an option for you. Good luck.

Hi,

You made some very plausible suggestions. However, the international office here will not waive tuition as far as I know after talking to them repeatedly. This is a private institution and a catholic one at that. I still have about two years ahead of me to graduate. If only I could find some way of funding my tuition bill which runs about USD12,000 per semester, I could manage throughout my academic career with whatever I earn with campus jobs. Since I am an a student VISA, I can not work outside campus. Since I can not work outside campus I can not make enough money to pay a part of the tuition bill. Currently my folks back in India are buried in extreme loans and are still trying to help me out financially. This is all because of me and my education. I am about ready to stop trying. It has been nothing but despair from everywhere I have requested help so far...

If you are just a pain to your parents, why not just move back home. Sounds like you just want people to give you money for no reason except to be nice. Well, this is America...and things just don't work like that. It's sad to say, but it's true.

I am not quite sure how to reply to the last post. The point I was trying to make was that I needed some amount of help through whoever or whatever means to complete my undergraduate studies in the USA. I did clearly state that.
I read and re-read the last post and am still unable to figure out how I encouraged anyone to "Sounds like you just want people to give you money for no reason except to be nice. Well, this is America...and things just don't work like that."
Regardless of the country, it is of course a fact that no one usually helps out anyone else financially unless there is a definite reason. My reason: to graduate so that I can be at a position to repay all the loans and work myself to a position where I can help someone back when the time comes. This is a reason as good as any, even though it may sound a bit corny.

Ok, so here's yet another idea. Not the best solutions, but one nonetheless. If you are sincere about graduating and eventually paying off your loans, then try this: apply for a credit card. I am positive that you will able to apply for one, it's just a matter of being approved. Once that happens, use your credit card(s) to pay for tuition. Let it rack up if that's the case; pay it off when you are earning.

Now remember, this is not the most optimistic solution, nor is it the easiest. Starting out on your job and being in debt can be difficult. But if you can get over the hurdles of graduating and landing a great job, things will fall into place.

What desipimp said is also a harsh reality. No matter where you are, things won't fall into your hands. You have to work hard for it. ( I am not saying you are slacking off; just reinforcing the facts). I know for a fact that there is SOME way out there for you to be able to land a job and/or get tuition money. You need to check out forums on campus and other avenues. Either that or take on two jobs on campus ---- leave classes and work yourself to death. The following semester, focus only on school. Your situation sounds tough, but understand, that life here is VERY different than in India. People think that just because we live in the U.S. things come easy and it's the life. That's a BIG misunderstanding.

Do you have any professors who you are on good terms with? Ask him/her if they know of any other options. You are not the first student from India who is in your current situation. SOMEONE on campus will know of possible solutions. You will have to spend day and night into finding what to do next. Keep in mind, if you ignore this, and continue going to school, you are foolish. It sounds harsh, but you are. You will be going to school with little focus, do bad in school, be spending money on tuition, and will have little or no work experience when you are done.

You might as well take some time off.....use credit cards for a while, get back on track, and excel the next semester. Keep in mind, your education is useless if you don't do well and/or don't enjoy what you are doing. Doesn't matter what they say in India.....just getting a 'no name' degree and doing poorly doesn't cut it. (of course, if you are the best at your 'no-name' degree, there might be hope....). Be very careful with your decisions. Waiting for things to fall into your plate will leave it empty.

I'll post here if I come up with anything else.