College bound!

[TowelKing]

Well, I applied for college last week and I already found out yesterday that I got accepted and passed my entrance exam with flying colors. Which is good cause I fuckin' hate algebra and fractions.
Problem is, I'm broke, I quit my job last month, school doesn't start till October or November (depends on if I want to dosage or nights), and I need 15k to pay tuition and bills during school. Luckily I won't be paying rent cause I'll be living with my dad, but the job market there sucks.
I'm trying to find a job before the end of August, but even in Edmonton nobody wants to hire a 21 year old with way too much experience and a standard of living based on WAY more than they can afford to pay me. Even though I would take (willingly) a $10/hour hit from what I was getting before I quit.

Anybody have any tips on how to make lots of money in 3 months?
Or just general college tips?

[AdminAssistant]

What kind of school is this, if I may ask? (I ask because of the odd start date.) Also, look into student loans. I'm not sure how it works in Canadaland, but in the US you just have to fill out a FAFSA. Also, knowing your major might help us help you, if you know what I mean.

[Miss Fatale]

Talk to the financial aid people and career services people at your school. They can help you figure out payment options (loans, scholarships, etc) and jobs that will work with a school schedule.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Here in the U.S., which is popularly acknowledged as far less awesome than Canada in regards to social harmony and aid , my school loans are put into holding until I graduate, then after six months I have to start paying them. I'm sure Canada has something more cool to deal with it, so definitely ask your school's financial counselors/career services peeps.

[TowelKing]

I'm going to school for welding.
The college is a jack-of-all-trades college. Regular courses, trades, apprenticeship training, etc. I know that I can get away w/o paying off my loan until 6 months after I graduate as well, but that is only part of the problem. As it is, my expenses hover in the range of 2k/month, more if my phone is over the $200 mark. Also, I have fuel to worry about as it stands, I get about 300KM to the tank, or about 15MPG, less around town.

[BroSCFischer]

more if my phone is over the $200 mark.

Is there any way to change to a different plan? I know most US cell companies offer an unlimited talk & text for about $60-$80.

As for the vehicle, anyway to cut down on the use of it? You know, walk, ride a bike, etc.

It might at least cut down on expenses.

SC

[AdminAssistant]

In the States, you can use loan money for personal expenses (that was how I was able to get my master's). I'm not sure if that works for Canada or technical colleges.

[trailerparkmedic]

I don't know if Canada has them, but don't go to a for profit school.

Try to cut down on living expenses. Get a roommate. Cook. Put off buying what you can. Every bit that you borrow becomes much more to pay back when you consider interest.

[TowelKing]

Is there any way to change to a different plan? I know most US cell companies offer an unlimited talk & text for about $60-$80.

As for the vehicle, anyway to cut down on the use of it? You know, walk, ride a bike, etc.

It might at least cut down on expenses.

SC

There might be some ways to cut down on it. Useless driving, random store trips, etc. But school is 80KM each way
As for TPM mentioning a roommate, I'll actually be living rent-free at my dad's house, so I won't ahve to pay for anything there (food included hopefully).

[AdminAssistant]

I don't know if Canada has them, but don't go to a for profit school.

I'll second this. However, schools that teach you real-world skills (like welding) and help you receive proper certifications are okay.

[teh_blumchenkinder]

Try to find a carpool. Yeah, I know, lots of space between people... but still.
Pre-paid phones might work out better for you, or just ditching the phone all together and use something like Google's voice-calling thingy, if you already have a chat microphone.
Would growing some of your own food help out? Can you get food stamps/government assistance for food? Or even local food banks? Also, just scrimping and scrounging will take you a long way.
I second the stuff PatioKitty is saying-- that's what I went with. I live in MyTown, my parents live about 40 miles away in TinyAwkwardSubdivision. So much gas and time savings, even though I live on about 700 a month. My costs would still be at around that much, food, gas, time, insurances, you get the idea.

[Kisa]

Is public transportation an option? Because 15mpg would be hard on your wallet. My car gets 24mpg and I still get hit pretty hard cost wise. Or you could carpool with a friend and offer to give them gas money?

P.S. I could never be a welder I'm a klutz. I'd fuse my fingers together before I made a fully functional chair. As proof of my clumsiness, I have been banned from using all sharp objects (razors, box cutters, knives and the like) at my work after I injured all 10 fingers in less than a week. I still have to sneak a boxcutter to open a box