Close calls! Nar-row escapes! Split-second decisions! And $20,800 in loans!

[captainsblog]

A combination guaranteed to make you say,.....

That was the opening of a hideous 80s game show I spent incessant amounts of time watching when I came down with mono in my last year of law school.  It also fits the news of the day, which means, almost certainly, that Emily can go to RIT next year, paid in full, if that is what she chooses.

Whereas the game show contestants had to pass through the Gauntlet of Villains (see above) to claim their prizes, we've been navigating the Impossible Labyrinth of Financial Aid these past few months, and especially days. (Origination fees of unusual size? I don't think they exist....)

Late last week, Emily was told that she would be given, or loaned, roughly $20,000 to fund her first year of artistry. Which would be lovely, except the tab is more like 40. (Yes, thousand. Yes, American dollars. You need to expand your mind long before this stage to even cope with this stuff. I spoke to a client today who paid $160 a year- as in eight Andy Jacksons a YEAR- to go to Cornell in the 1960s. That's several TARDISes back from even the one I traveled in 30-odd years ago.)

The difference, they said, could be made up with something now known as a PLUS loan. (Wot stands for Parent Loan to Undergraduate Students- an improvement over what they first named it in the 80s back when tuition was cheap enough that I didn't need them: back then, they were called Auxiliary Loans to Assist Students, or ALAS loans. These, obviously, were not allowed for classes in Irony offered by English departments.)

Yet there was no promise of our qualification for such PLUSery. In fact, since approvals are only good for 60 days before actual commencement of study and tuition deposits are due in three weeks, we would essentially have to take on faith that we would qualify. This, despite at least one RIT counselor telling Eleanor last week, erm, no, you probably won't.

We got a much more competent, and kind, counselor in our inquiries today. We indeed could apply now, at least to the extent of getting the credit check answer, and as long as things didn't change for the worse between now and late June when The Real Deal would need to be submitted, we could probably rely on that answer. Plus, /irony, even if denied, there were options involving co-signers and additional direct aid to Em herself.

At roughly 11:30 this morning, we plunged. Four hours later, the word came back: Approved!

I've never been as happy about this big a financial commitment since one of our three house purchases. More so because, unlike our houses, this one will last well into this century no matter how hard we work around the house to keep it all improved and beautiful. Em can do that without us even trying:)

Comments

[thanatos-kalos.livejournal.com]

It also fits the news of the day, which means, almost certainly, that Emily can go to RIT next year, paid in full, if that is what she chooses.

That is absolutely wonderful news. :)

[captainsblog.livejournal.com]

I've been reading of, and am sorry for, the bads you've experienced in recent days, but I am truly touched by how enthused you are for the goods that Em has experienced.

Good karma, like good whale propulsion, can only result:)

[thanatos-kalos.livejournal.com]

The gifts of the Muses should be shared and celebrated. Any chance for an artist as talented as Em should be enthused about as much as possible. :) ::hugs::

Good karma, like good whale propulsion, can only result:)

Does this mean I'm giong to be carrying some of the UK on my back? Because my back's not so good when I'm wearing a bookbag...

[captainsblog.livejournal.com]

You;ll only get Wales. That's barely the weight of a Riverside Shakespeare.

[troubleagain.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[greenlily.livejournal.com]

Oh, yay. I'm so glad you got a financial aid counselor with more of a clue this time. :)

[bill_sheehan.livejournal.com]

"Congratulations," he said to the condemned man.