no extra money for 529. is my kid doomed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This entire post is killing me.

State schools are not cheap. Virginia state schools are actually pretty expensive in state.

The military is not an option for everyone. As a PP noted, various medical conditions (including nut allergies) disqualify a kid from service. Plus, if you serve, there is a very real chance of going to war. People actually get killed and badly injured. My husband is permanently disabled.

Nominations to service academies are incredibly difficult to get, especially in this area.

The advice to move to a LCOL area is not helpful. People can not find a job just anywhere. My job exists only in DC. I would leave if I could.

I don't know what the answer is OP. We are struggling as well.

Completely agree with this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op should focus on the 50+ no loan colleges. They are usually prestigious with high endowments, so definitely competitive:
https://www.lendingtree.com/student/colleges-no-student-loans-policy/

The safer bet is community college and then transfer to a state college.

That depends on where the state college is. Two years of UVA instate is still 80k that OP doesn't have

For an low income excellent student (which we have no idea if OP's kid is) in VA, their best option is likely UVA or W&M since those both met 100% of need. Apply ED to UVA, ED2 to W&M.

W&M ED is probably the easiest admit for a strong student among all the meets-need colleges.

Otherwise, living at home and doing to GMU is possible with Pell and VA Grants + federal student loans + working.