Expert: Susie Watts - 5/30/2010

Question
I have no idea who to talk to in real life about this. Me and my family are stumped, depressed, tense, anxious..

I'll just start from the beginning.

I graduate HS in 2007. I got accepted to about 6 different colleges. I lived in Alabama, and I moved to Atlanta, GA to attend college. I picked the Art Institute of Atlanta. I wantedto major in game design, but I ended up changing my major to web design (first mistake. Or possibly second, if going to AIA was the first.)

Well, fast forward to 3 days ago. I have 4 classes left to graduate. I have been funding my entire education with loans, so I'm about 130k in debt incl. interest. I have just enough money to continue college. But I have been living off of my student refunds because I lost my job last year and haven't found a stable one yet. I've been getting paid under the table, and now I am completely out of a job.

So what the hell do I do?

I have enough loan money to finish school but I have no way to pay my bills or rent. My utilities are in disconnect notice, my rent is due in 2 days. I have $400 in the bank and about $1500 in bills due in the next week. I owe so much money to debt collectors. Thank gosh I don't have any credit cards. My only debt is from huge past due utility bills and a hospital bill. (No insurance)

So... my options are either find a job yesterday that pays about $2000/mo immediately, pack up and move back home (with what money?) be homeless, live in my car..

If I do move back home, I'll have to get rid of my pets. which is the most heartbreaking thing I'll have to do.
I'll have to sell my furniture, give myself more debt by breaking my lease, ending my internet contract, my gas, electric, water, trash contract. In that alone I will rack up about $5000.

But I can go to a cheaper college. But I won't be able to major in web design.
So I'll practically have to start over from scratch and rack up more debt.
Or I could not go to college and see if I can find a job with a half of a degree. But serious, home is a town with one stop light. I'm not going to find a web design or web development job in Gadsden, AL. I'm going to end up working at burger king or the dollar store.

$7/hr isn't going to put a dent in any of my debts or bills.

I don't know what the hell to do. I am at a loss. A complete loss..

Please give me advice or tell me who to talk to IRL.

Answer
You do need some help and you need it quickly.  I am not in a position to offer a lot of financial advice because your situation is fairly complicated.  I think you must first start with the director of financial aid at your school.  You need to present your story with copies of debt, loans, etc and ask where to begin.  It could be that the school has some money they could give you in the form of a grant which does not need to be paid back.  Don't quit.  With four hours left, you need to finish.