Aims, when you said you didn't have the means to move, is there something you haven't mentioned that needs dealt with?

There was a very fine dance that needed to happen for everything to fall into its place. I've had a little sleep, so I'll sum up what's going on.

I had to take a class over the summer to be able to register for student teaching. It was only 3 credit hours, so no financial aid available for it. So I did what I was advised by financial aid to do a couple of years ago - pay for it in the fall with my refund, if there was enough.

There wouldn't be because I've used up all my loan money, but again, financial aid said that I could combine the fall and winter financial aid I was receiving into just fall, since I was student teaching and not in need of financial aid for the winter semester. That would give me plenty of money to pay for summer, student teaching, and have a nice chunk that would cover our $3500 moving costs. The catch is, in order for them to do it, I had to be registered for 12 credit hours. But because I had a past due balance, I couldn't register.

So I finished my paperwork for student teaching, took it to the College of Ed office, got my handbook and the CRN for registering. Then I headed over to the business office to fill out the paperwork for the "promise to pay" form so that the hold on registering would be lifted, I could register, get my financial aid combined and all would be well. We could breathe. Everything on track.

And then the rails blew up.

Couldn't do the "promise to pay" because my past due was $1500; they only do it if the balance is under $1000. It was $1500 because I have no insurance, have had a number of UTIs this summer and needed to avail myself of the university health system. And also the $210 in late fees they refused to wave. I explain the combining of the financial aid and so she called them - on video phone. Truly, we live in the future. Turns out, whoever I spoke to in June gave me erroneous information. Because my money is primarily coming from Pell grants and TEACH grants, those can not be combined. The only thing that can be combined is my Chemistry Dept scholarship which is a whopping $600. Total. So in the space of 20 minutes, I lost almost $5000. The financial aid money I have will barely cover student teaching, there is no refund. Which means I can't pay off the past due, which means they will not lift the hold so I can register for student teaching, which means I can not graduate in December, and which also means we do not have the $3500 to move.

This is where my impatience - fueled my the necessity for me to start working in January - comes in. I could have just taken my final two classes this semester and student taught in the winter and spent the summer looking for work. But we needed me to work in January. We needed the money. And now that we have to move and start paying real rent, I *really* need to start working.

So ... yeah. There it is.

I'm looking for a job. I'm hoping to find something in an actual school so that I can still be around kids. (I found one last night at Emeline's new school. How awesome would that be? Would eliminate the transportation issues (and having to pay for before/after care)we were facing. I have my Girl Scouts, who I love. I have my children's ministry at church which is teaching every week. So I'm still teaching in some capacity.

I am disappointed that I won't have my B.S. I really wanted that degree. I've worked my ass off for it. But maybe I can finish it later. *shrug*

Right now, I need to concentrate on getting Em ready for her new school and finding the money to move and packing for the move. If I let myself get mired down with this school thing, I will shut down and not do anything and then there's a whole new host of problems. So I've had a (somewhat) decent night's sleep and we shouldn't have anymore people tromping through the house so I can really concentrate on getting ready for the yard sale this weekend and my CL listings and purging my household. We might not be able to (continued...)

( continues...) get the house after all, but there's something appealing about an apartment or townhouse. Not as much of a struggle to pay rent, lower energy bills. Who knows? One thing at a time.

Yard sale first. Well, coffee first, but I have that on the side table.

There should be money for student teachers. I don't know anyone that could afford that.(And, yes, I think that about intern jobs, too)

I'm so sorry, Aims. I really hope, if not right now, something works out in the near future so you can graduate. You'll be a fantastic teacher.

And if it helps, we're in an apartment now. It's less to clean! And a few less bills, too.

Oh, Aims. The degree thing isn't working out NOW, but maybe next semester or next year it will. I think you will become a teacher...just on a slightly longer timetable.

Aims, bottom line, moving expenses aside, what's the amount you need to finish school this year? I am afraid that if you don't finish now, it will be very hard for you to pick it up later and finish.

Just over $1500.

Insent. [sent from my work account to your gmail, so check your spam folder if it hasn't arrived.]

I sense Buffista magic is afoot...

As do I! The magic of Buffistas!

Speaking of: omnis, your sister was wonderfully helpful on my tax question (more helpful, responsive, and informative than my uncle's accountant, whom I also consulted)! Thanks a lot for putting me in touch with her; I feel a lot more confident about what's going on, and it should all get sorted out with minimal hassle (I may end up owing nothing if the state tax refund tax isn't enough for them to care).