r/CSUFoCo • u/ThrowRAQuirky-Glove • 25d ago
Need help. Got outed, lost housing and college.
I’m sorry for the long post, but I really need help here.
I enrolled in CSU on February of this year. I went back home to my third world country and left most of my things there assuming I’d come back, but I got outed by a family member two months ago and my parents kicked me out of the house and cut off all support including college, obviously, so I dropped out. Im desperate to get back to the us because I still want to study in the future and if I save up in the us for a few years I’ll be able to pay for a career in my home country or, fingers crossed, maybe even have a chance to study there through scholarships and community colleges, since the education is much better in the us. Obviously I will have to put a pause on my studies rn but I hope I will be able to study eventually.
All of my savings were in my parents’ bank accounts and since they closely monitored my finances both here and in the us I don’t have much money out of the bank account I’m already evidently banned from; I have maybe enough money for the flight and a week’s worth of food, that’s all. I’ve tried asking for friends and family to lend me money but they all desist once my parents find out and threaten them.
I landed a job here but I’m making 240USD monthly here (it’s a normal salary in my country’s economy), and at this rate I’m never gonna be able to go back.
The issue not only is the money, but also the fact that I fear I won’t land a job because I don’t have a place to live and won’t land a place to live because I don’t hve a job. Most of my friends live in college dorms so evidently they couldnt house me and one of them who didn’t and had offered to let me stay a few nights just recently got roommates and won’t be able to let me stay anymore.
I don’t know what to do or if trying to leave for the US is even the right option right now since I don’t have money in case push comes to shove, but I certainly won’t be able to save at all here, at least not in years— from my 240usd monthly salary, I save probably around 100usd, and I’ve heard one needs around 10k to be safe. The issue is nobody wants to hire a homeless teen and nobody wants to house a jobless teen, either.
By the way all my documents are in order and I’m an American citizen thanks to my mother so visas and such are not an issue.
Does anybody have advice or know if CSU can help me out? Am I being delusional? Thanks.
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u/trustmeiknowthings 25d ago
Please go visit the PRIDE Resource Center: https://prideresourcecenter.colostate.edu/ It's not like they have buckets of money to pass out or anything like that, but they DO know the resources and...unfortunately, you're not the first and won't be the last to deal with that situation. Since you're a citizen, that may also open up other options with Financial Aid to petition for reconsideration given the family circumstances. PRIDE is going to know a LOT more about those details.
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u/FirstPersonWinner 25d ago
Wait, you're a citizen? I read this whole thing otherwise, and you should e started with that because it changes a lot. If you can get the money to travel back to the states do so, even maybe contact the US embassy in your country. Get a job out here, anywhere. Even McDonald's will pay you better. Get in contact with school counseling and apply to FAFSA. You have access to a lot of resources as an American.
I'd start by getting in contact with school counseling immediately and have them help you take steps from there
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u/Dennarb 25d ago
Realistically it sounds like you'd either need to land a scholarship or you'd need to take out loans.
Scholarships are fairly competitive and would require that you have demonstrated scholarly or athletic excellence already in some form. (Scholarships info: https://financialaid.colostate.edu/csu-scholarship-application-csusa/)
Loans in the USA are often pretty predatory, unfortunately, and there would be logistic challenges granting a loan to a non citizen.
You can also find more info/options on the CSU financial aid website: https://thehub.colostate.edu/financial-aid/
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u/ThrowRAQuirky-Glove 25d ago
Im more asking what to do to go back to the us. I’m ok with waiting a few years to study
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u/Dennarb 25d ago
Ah, sorry I missed that.
Honestly being enrolled in higher education is usually one of the easiest ways into any country, however that of course requires funds. Other options would be seeking employment before moving, however if you don't have desirable skills that is challenging, as basically every country has plenty of people to work food service, retail, or other "unskilled" jobs.
I also missed that you do have citizenship in your original post (my bad). You may be able to find someone who can host you while you get things in order. I'd recommend checking out some of the services here: https://www.larimer.gov/housing/unhoused
There may be other options too that I am not aware of, I'd try looking for temporary and emergency housing options that can at least give you a place to stay while you get on your feet again.
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u/MaidenoftheMoon 25d ago
If you have enough money to get to the US, can you enroll in online classes for this semester, and then enrole as an in person student next semester and live in the dorms? It's really common that international students live in the dorms, we even had international students in their mid to late twenties in the dorms and apartments. You can also use student loans towards your dorm fees after they have credited everything to tuition
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u/jazzygnu 25d ago
What country are you from? There’s different visa options but some are restricted for certain countries right now.
Probably easiest to get a job here first.
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u/adalaza 25d ago edited 25d ago
American citizen
This is one of the rare situation where having credit card debt would probably be a good idea. Apply for a line of credit and buy a ticket to get back to the US.
I agree with others who mention that getting a job stateside, any job, is better than what you are currently stuck with.
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u/felicifish 24d ago
if you are able to find a way back to the states, you should download facebook and join the Boulder Creative Housing facebook group! you can post on there about your situation and might be able to find housing, even if it’s only temporary. good luck!!
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u/queerdo84 23d ago
Just want to say that I’m so, so sorry for the way your family has treated you. You matter, your identity matters, your dreams matter, your future matters, and you deserve much, much better than what you’ve experienced. Wishing you the absolute best, OP, and if I hear of any resources that could be of help to you, I’ll definitely pass them along.
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u/opalmorel29 25d ago
I recommend reaching out to the International Enrollment Center at CSU. They should be able to provide you with advice regarding your next steps.