Money Problems!?

I am a college student, who is starting back in the fall. I have 350.00 a month rent, insurance, utilities, phone bill, computer bill, and two credit card bills. I am working full time, and not really making it by. Even with the extra money I am going to get from financial aid, which I am going to use to pay off my computer and get my credit card payment down, I am still going to be making WAY less than what I need to get by a month. I can't work more, especially when school starts. I don't know how else to make it through. I have already applied for a bank loan, but I can't get any more school related loans because I am at my limit. I was thinking of taking out a regular bank loan to pay all my rent for a year, and make the (hopefully) cheaper bank payments. But, that would just be another thing to pay back for years, because of interest! Does anyone have any suggestions on other loans to try or other ideas that you have tried in the past?!

Money Problems!?

I would ask, how attached are you to the job you presently work? Unless it is helping you to gain entry to your chosen field after graduation, I would look very hard into options that pay more money. You might want to try monitoring your monthly spending on items other than mentioned above. If you are constantly adding to your credit card debt by charging a lot each month, then you dig yourself in deeper and deeper. On the living situation, it sounds like you might already have roommates based on your rent, but is it possible to share your room even with a friend who is in the same predicament as you? I recommend not taking out the bank loan, or keeping it to the least amount possible. It sounds great to have all the money you need for rent upfront, but what happens if you accidentally dip into that money for an emergency? I know it is also less desirable, but have you considered subletting your place and moving back into a dormitory if it is available? Unless you are really good with budgeting, it usually is cheaper to live in a dorm. You have easy access to food (much cheaper than grocery shopping) and your utilities are taken care of. The only other drastic measure I could suggest is dropping out of school entirely for a year to save up the funds to continue your education. I'm guessing though, if you take a hard look at what you spend, then you may come up with a place you can save. It might be one less night out with friends, fewer text messages on your cell, or no Starbucks coffee or Ben and Jerry's ice cream, but it can be done. Right now, by taking on your maximum in student loans, plus the possibility of the bank loan, you are setting yourself up for a lifetime of debt that you might not even escape with your additional earning power of your college degree.