Does anyone here have any ideas on where a young man in his second year of college can find  grants or low cost loans. He lives in Georgia. He has been going on the Hope Grant, but this second year his gp average dropped to a 2.8 and he has been cut off.  He needs funding for the next two years. He's been working part time to pay all the extra expenses. He's looking for  some kind of grants or even low interest loan. His last resort is joining the army. They will pay  for his college, but that means a 4 year commitment.

Any advise would be appreciated.  Thanks

The army isn't so bad.  Sometimes you have to WORK to EARN what you want.  I got drafted into the army in 1965.  At least your friend has a choice!  He's looking for GRANTS?  Is that something you get for free that you didn't earn?

Bullwinkle

Yes he's looking for grants or low minterest loans. 75% of all kids in college today are going on some type of grant. a Lot of them are going on low interest loans.

I think the military is a great way to help fund (or in some cases completely fund) college. The potential long term benefits to the young man are greater than just money.

But having said that, and despite what the recruiters say (I was one many moons ago), the Army isn't for everyone. Does this young man have the personality that will adapt to tough discipline and working under somebody else's schedule on a daily basis? Could he adapt to living in a tent for prolonged periods and complying with strict rules regarding personal appearance and personal behavior?

For some late teens who lack adult counsel or whose maturity level make them succeptible to world influences as distractions, the military can be a great way to motivate and give a sense of direction....but for others it can be a source of frustration and dread.

Our youngest son enlisted at 17, and the Army, despite an Iraq tour, has proven to be beneficial to him in providing him with motivation and organizational skills. As to education funding, he signed up for the infantry, so he qualified for and used the $30,000 GI bill (not sure what it is today), and then when he finished his enlistment, he joined the local Army reserve, who then paid for all his upper dividsion college courses at the University of Utah, where he graduated a couple of years ago and now has a good job. He finished with zero loans and had a reasonably confortable life while attending college. For him, it worked out perfectly.

But having served a career in the Air Force, I can tell you from personal experience that there are, on occasion, young people who enlist that have no business being there. They hate the structure and bureaucracy and despise others dictating to them how they'll conduct themselves. For them, the 4 year enlistement was a frustrating waste of their time.

So I think the military as an alternative for college funding should be a decision that is about more than just the money.

BruceM

He needs to talk to the financial aid people at his school.  They can be miracle workers and know everything out there - and sometimes they're not good.

Roberta 

Thanks everyone for all the replies.