On life, literature and loans

[ingriae]

I got back to Trondheim and my own room last night, and was kind of surprised at how good that felt. I'm pretty sure I was happier about getting back here after three weeks at home with my parents than I was about getting back home after three months here :P It might have something to do with the fact that I'm the first one on my floor to arrive,

Comments

[miss_d_meanour]

Over here in Australia we have the HECS system, whereby we don't pay upfront for our degrees, we just have a HECS debt that accumulates and starts being paid off once we're earning a certain amount. In terms of living away from home, there are a few things that are available, but they're mainly focused on disadvantaged students so if, for example, your family are well off but you want to move out/support yourself, it's difficult. There are always colleges and whatnot, but they're expensive

[ingriae]

Thanks a lot for clearing that up for me :P I had to take up one loan to cover the games and awesomeness...ehh school last year, and now I'm pretty much going to live entirely of off borrowed money for the next four years. So yeah, trying really hard not to think about my debt.

Heh I wish I could afford stuff xD But after paying my rent I have just enough money left each month to buy food, and maybe go see a movie or go out a night or two. But who needs new clothes or cds anyway? *facepalm*
I shouldn't complain though, because I am really lucky to have the possibility to live on my own even when I can't work even part time.

[ingriae]

I am in the exact same situation - middle class family, but not rich (or quite generous enough) to support me if I wanted to move out. And I have almost no money myself... So without the shitload of borrowed money I would be completely screwed myself.
Thank you Norwegian government, for doing something right. I guess :P

New year, new chances and all that ;) lol

[ingriae]

Eh most people start their working life that way, so it can't suck all that much :P That's right, I am optimistic to the point of stupdity and I like it xD

[aean_adrift]

Definitely not the case in the US. The government will give you a certain amount if you are financially disadvantaged, as will most universities. These are usually grants and don't have to be paid back. However, they're completely based on income, not performance.

In America, most students living on their own are living off of part-time jobs and student loans. A student who is not able to have a job because of their schoolwork often ends up being $80,000 in debt by the time they earn their degree, and none of it is canceled. Therefore...many people are still paying for college when they're in their 40s.

Kind of a terrible system, actually.

[aean_adrift]

Also, government aid cuts off at a pretty low income level...which basically tells the middle class to screw off.

[ingriae]

Granting loans based entirely on income is not a very fair system, is it? :( My parents are fairly well off, but that doesn't mean that they can (or will) pay for my rent/food/books etc. So without this big pile of borrowed money I would most definitely be stuck at home.
And I think most people who get their degrees here have a debt of $40,000 or more, but the loans have the lowest interest possible and are payed back over a long period of time, so it's not all that bad.
Still better than living at home for the entire time :P

[aean_adrift]

Nope...not very fair at all. My parents are well off, but it's still a burden with an extra $20,000 in bills a year.

Most loans here are through private banks and have ridiculous interest rates. Some are as high as 18%. Not even kidding. :(

[ext_102075]

Oh, er det ikke herlig å være student igjen?
Hurra!

[ingriae]

Joo, det er virkelig det :D Jeg er glad for å være tilbake, kulde, tidlige morgner og alt inkludert.