[ghghgh]

I've filed my FAFSA over and over, and always run into the same error about how my social security information isn't correct. I went to the S.Security Offices to try and straighten it all out, but all they could do was help to reset the FAFSA for me. They didn't give me any more information or help, and now having graduated last year, have had an entire year doing nothing but learning Java and C++, as well as brushing up on my mathematics.

This isn't the only problem though; I don't live in the best of places and we are on verge of getting kicked out(can't pay the rent anymore because the social s. benefits aren't going through properly for my mom). I know this makes me sound like a baby for not taking up a job and trying to help, but that isn't the case. I have tried, but no one is willing to employ someone w/o a degree for one, and the little jobs I do find are not enough to live on. Everyone else around here always gets the jobs, because they either have connections or just kiss up to the employer.

I don't want to see my future be wasted because of this nonsense, but I have no choice. I can no longer study peacefully w/o interruption from the surroundings. I suppose what I'm getting at is, what would you do in this situation?
Truth be told, I barely know Algebra but I'm reading desperately. So is there any hope other than college for my future, or am I just plain screwed? Thank you guys.

This post has been edited by ghghgh: 20 April 2011 - 05:13 PM

[modi123_1]

Nope, not screwed - just a bit more effort for what you want to do. I am unclear if you graduated from high school or college last year, and that sort of hinges on the advice. Keep your eye on the prize and examine options to get there. Hell - that's what programming is all about - problem solving. Sure it will suck when compared to other folk but screw'em. You aren't them and they aren't you. There is little you can do to make them equal so get over that fact.

What do you want to do? What region do you live in? These are all factors.

[Brewer]

Your situation is what you make it. There have been points where my mom and I didn't have the money to pay the rent and even times where we didn't have money for groceries, but we made it through.

I got a job at Books-A-Million and used my pay checks to pay bills and buy food while I was still in high school. If you have to kiss up to the employer then you damn well better do it because I promise you that things will not get better unless you make them better. No one wants to help someone who won't help them self.

Dress yourself up nice (slacks and a dress shirt will do), walk into a store and ask for a manager (it is important that you ask for a manager rather than asking if you can apply for a job). When you get a chance to talk to a manager you can explain to them that you want a job, but don't sound like a whiny, desperate little kid. This will help you because when they do go to look through applications they will remember your name. Bring your resume with you, stand up straight, shake their hand while looking them in the eye.

Getting a job is not hard, you just need to suck it up and go find one. I've never gotten a job because I had "connections".

No one on this forum is here to help you through life, we are only here to help you with your programming. Of course I hope things work out for you, but I wouldn't just stand around waiting for things to get better.

[elgose]

It's a tough spot to be in - and there probably isn't any simple/easy solution. I feel for you, though, and hope you can come out on top.

With those jobs that don't pay enough - is it because of the number of hours? One thing to keep in mind: most places start you off with very few hours and will increase how much you work only after you show you're worth it. My suggestion here would be to take one of the jobs, earn at least something in the meantime, then work your ass off to get more hours. Maybe in a few months you'll be doing OK.

You can keep trying with your FAFSA, although I think it's past the deadline for some of the need-based grants (I could be wrong?). School is an awesome way of moving up economically, albeit not the only way. No matter what you do, hard work and motivation are key.

I use a planner daily, and on the first page is a sticky note that I've kept for years. It's to remind me about humble beginnings and big aspirations - "The best revenge is ultimate success." To me, "revenge" is getting back at the not-so-great situation I was in fresh out of high school, and this keeps me motivated to do all the back breaking and tedious work necessary to be massively successful. It's tough getting momentum, even tougher keeping it - once you're on the way to getting better, don't forget where you are now so you can make sure you're never in this kind of position again.

Good luck!

Edit: I read yesterday in the paper that the jobless rate for those who can work and are under 24 is just shy of 20%. That means, for everyone in your age group - 1 in 5 cannot find a job. Don't get depressed if it's getting hard to find something, if you apply for 100 jobs and 99 of them say "No." - big woop, you only need that ONE to say "Yes."

This post has been edited by elgose: 21 April 2011 - 07:10 AM

[JackOfAllTrades]

Quote

Truth be told, I barely know Algebra

Sorry to hear about your situation, but how can someone even get into college in this state?

[darek9576]

So have you finished high school now or uni?

[Brewer]

I really don't understand why people bother posting these things if they never come back. Is DIC a site for people having mental breakdowns or for programmers? I forget ..

[darek9576]

He joined in 09 so he might be back .

[Brewer]

I've looked through his posts, he usually doesn't reply to the thread (with a few exceptions).

[ghghgh]

Brewer, on 21 April 2011 - 01:44 PM, said:

I've looked through his posts, he usually doesn't reply to the thread (with a few exceptions).

I didn't always have good access to the internet till recently, so I will be posting more often. Sorry if you got the wrong impression.

Thank yall for your suggestions! I have graduated high school by the way.

darek9576, on 21 April 2011 - 01:16 PM, said:

So have you finished high school now or uni?

Just high school.

[Brewer]

Also, don't eliminate the option of going to a community college where the tuition will be much lower and transferring to a university after completing your basic studies.

This is a good option if you are financially strapped. Just make sure you don't goof off while you are there, because you WILL regret it when you go to apply for a transfer.

[Dogstopper]

Brewer, on 21 April 2011 - 08:12 PM, said:

Also, don't eliminate the option of going to a community college where the tuition will be much lower and transferring to a university after completing your basic studies.

This is a good option if you are financially strapped. Just make sure you don't goof off while you are there, because you WILL regret it when you go to apply for a transfer.

I would actually agree with this. If your basic education is not very good, and you are going to have money problems, then community college is certainly the better way to go. It will allow you to get up to speed where you need to be to be accepted to a university and since you will have been in college already, it makes it a bit easier to get a loan than with no schooling at all (it shows you have dedication and not going to drop out after 1 month).

[Brewer]

To add to what Dogstopper said, it is usually the case that the grades you receive at a community college are more important than those that you received in high school because of the fact that community colleges have course work that is very similar to a universities -- a lot more similar than high school courses at least.

I also just had another thought. From your post I think it's a safe bet to say that you aren't in the best situation financially. I STRONGLY encourage you to check out a Pell Grant. The can be granted for up to $5500/yr (last time I checked) and can be renewed every year that you are an undergraduate student. Of course there are some limitations and you can find out more about those here. Pell Grants do still require that you fill out a FAFSA forum.

I recommend that you get in touch with someone in the financial aid department at a university you would like to attend and explain the issues that you're having with your FAFSA form. They will know what to do!

[calvinthedestroyer]

Have you tried going to another Social Security office?

no, really. Back when I lived with my parents going to the DMV was a pain in the but, the employees were always rude and it took two hours just to get anything done. But now that I'm moved out I go to a different DMV filled with nice employees, no long lines, and every time I go there I get everything down in less than an hour

Even if you have to take an hour long bus ride, going to a different Social Security office might help.

[Brewer]

calvinthedestroyer, on 21 April 2011 - 10:40 PM, said:

Have you tried going to another Social Security office?

no, really. Back when I lived with my parents going to the DMV was a pain in the but, the employees were always rude and it took two hours just to get anything done. But now that I'm moved out I go to a different DMV filled with nice employees, no long lines, and every time I go there I get everything down in less than an hour

Even if you have to take an hour long bus ride, going to a different Social Security office might help.

I'll vouch for the DMV example!