My friend sucks at college.

[WiredSevens]

Hey OOT,

My friend has a problem with college. Let's call my friend Royally Focked and he is 20 years old. He attended StonyBrook for the Fall 2006 semester but dropped the semester and his slate was wiped clean.

He then attended CW Post in Spring 2007 counting as his first semester in college. His financial aid fell through due to whatever reason (stupid income verification sheet and its nit-pickingness) and he finished the semester expecing to owe $4,000. However, he really ended up owing $10,000 after loans and grants fell through.

If anyone wants to know, his GPA for that semester was 2.83 after doing very little work. He says his attitude has changed for future semesters and so will his work ethic. Though, only time will tell.

He tried to transfer to St. John's University yesterday but as I advised him previously, his official academic transcript is under lock and key until he pays his $10,000 debt to CW Post. He wants to transfer out of CW Post as he went there to become a Pharmacist and has since decided against that. Counting pills and talking to old people all day FTL !

Right now he has no plan but I suggested something of the following: get his credit worthy parent to co-sign a loan and pay off the $10,000 debt to CW Post. Then transfer to Queens college for a few semesters and then transfer to St. John's University. Or just straight transfer to St. John's University after paying off the debt.

He just asked me if he could just not apply for FAFSA for this upcoming school year and then admit at Queen's College (inexpensive City school about $4,000-5,000 a year) attempting to dodge his $10,000 debt from CW Post. By doing so he would start fresh in college as a true freshman.

Is this even possible? Is this last option actually the best route to take?

Help my friend OOT !