Welcome! This blog is Retired. However, you may still enjoy some of the finer pages of vintage online ramblings out there! Inspired by the certainty of my headaches, "The Headache Diaries" may include my headache log, people, places, and things that I don't like, as well as people, places, and things that I do like. Blog officially retired 02.14.2021
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Seems the last time I was on here, I was filling out my loan stuff! Now here I am, thousands of miles away on St. Vincent ready to start!
Anyway, I know I was going to post the specs of the loan, so here is the rundown: Trinity offers two types of loans. They are both private loans, no government loans. The first is offered through SLFC, or Student Loan Finance Corporation. They have the best offer out of the two but you need a credit score of at least 670. You don't need a cosigner if you have that credit score. They only charge origination fees as a percentage of the total loan, about 6% or so. The interest rate starts at 9.25% and can change with the market, thus making it a variable interest loan. There is some risk involved in a variable loan. Just think back to the early 80s when interest rates were in the teens. Yup. Anyway, this loans "caps" (laugh) at 18%. So, even if the market goes to 21%, you only pay 18%. Yippee!! This loan maxes out at about 250k. You have to pay a minimum of $100 a month no matter what and the real payments can be deferred until you finish residency. Of course, by then, you will be in much debt. But cheer up! You're a DOCTOR!
The other loan is offered through EdInvest. I didn't sign up for that one!! It charges many fees, including $5,000 (yes you read that correctly) EACH TERM. Why? Because you must apply for this loan EACH TERM. The other loan lasts for three semesters. You don't need to make minimum payments, but you get waaaaaay less in cash for yourself because you have to pay all those fees. So make sure you have someone at home that can fill your account with some cash. And you need a credit score of about 650 I think. So if you don't have a job but you have decent credit, you will have to get this loan. Sorry! Well, the interest rate is a little lower at about 8.75%, but that doesn't counteract the fees. It's just a pretty bad loan, but it's there if you need it. The max is higher at about $300k, but with all those fees, you will be in debt for about $600k!!!!! OUCH!!!!! Good luck!
So my trip here was long, as anticipated, since I was going to have my slumber party at GAIA, the airport in Barbados. Some bellhop guy tried to get me to buy him some duty free vodka, and I refused. WTF do I look like? Anyway, he was mad so I had to carry my own bags as they do not have "smarte carts" there like other airports. Whatever! I'm not getting arrested for your stupid ass. So I passed through customs, smiling at the mean-faced agent, who quickly turned nice when she saw someone she knew. That was good for me because she said "You're going to St. Vincent?" and I said "yes, I am a student there." and she said "Okay", and waved me through so she could talk to that woman. I was glad because I was worried they would tax me on all the chocolate I brought in. So I made my way to the water fountain to fill my bottle then went to my usual seat by the 110v plug. They only have two at GAIA, so I go to the one by the picnic table. It's not too bad if you stay overnight. Just make sure you wear long pants and a long sleeved shirt because the mosquitoes will get you! This time they bit my knee and my hand. Not too bad. The main problem is the internet is very spotty. The first time I got there, I had no connection. The second time, I had a good connection. This time, it was off and on. Well, I do have Bejeweled on my computer so I have something to pass the time.
The other good thing about GAIA is that the receptions start to open at 4:30am. Liat opens closer to 5:00am. I get in line around 4:45 and I am never first! Well, it went smooth enough. I had two checked bags and two carry-ons. I asked the guy if I could take the printer as my second carry-on and he said yes! I was soooooo happy cuz I was scared they would say no. Well, I had a tiny laptop roller bag as my other carry-on, so maybe that is why he was okay with it. Since I had the less crowded flight, I was sure that I would get all my bags when I arrived. Since I had two checked bags, one is "Excess" and rides as a standby. I have heard some stories about Liat and their treatment of bags, but mine came in with me. So maybe that is the way to do it. If you take the full flight, your stuff won't make it? Well, I hope my luck doesn't run out!
I made it to St. Vincent in one piece, although I slept through the whole flight because I was so tired. I didn't sleep well before I left, maybe two hours, then I didn't sleep at all in Barbados. When I cam in, I unpacked, met my roommate and went to bed by 5:30pm. I didn't get out of bed until 9:00am the next day.
I met one of my roommates. I will have two. She is nice... so far, ha ha! Anyway, She gave me some of her veggies to eat yesterday which was nice. Today, we went into town to get her an x-ray for her hand and so I can set up my phone! I am so excited I have a real phone to call home now! Not like at AUC! Oh Lord, I was so annoyed. So yes, I have a cool GSM phone and service! Yay!!
I am really happy that I am here! I am very comfortable here, and I think that will go a long way in how well I can do here. This time, I will stick it out for one whole semester. And if it goes well, I will go on. If it doesn't, then I will call it quits. So no worries!
Tomorrow we go into Kingstown. I was going to go by myself, but hey you can't beat a free ride. So I will go with everyone. It will give me a chance to see what's up with my Fedex stuff. I hope I can get my white coat in time! I think I will! Anyway, I wanted to go back so I can exchange my money and buy some stuff to send home.
Even though it's midnight here, I am still on Arizona time, so it's only 9. Maybe I should try to go to bed? I don't know. I do know that I am going to sign off! Goodnight!
I know I said I would post the two types of loans, but today I am super busy. I will post them tomorrow or later today if I have time. I have too many chores!
But I am excited that I was approved. The only issue I have now is the letters of recommendation. Only one came in so far! I need one more. I emailed the school to ask how it will work if the letters don't come in on time. They should, but I can say definitely yes. I just need one more to come in, but three more were supposed to. They have been kinda slow uploading the letters to my file, so some may have arrived. I am also waiting on the KCC transcript. They took forever last time. I hope it comes in! Otherwise, I may have to go there and get one!!! UGHHH!
Well, I better get moving on everything. I am going to be super tired today!
