What is the cheapest way to get to Arizona from Seattle?

How can I get myself to college near Seattle WA? What is the best way and best place?

• I am from WA state, but am currently living in Georgia. I want to know the best college for me to go (just to take some basic classes, my major in undecided) I also want to live in a nice place, that is also cheap. I do not want to live IN seattle, just near. I want to know how I can get myself and my roomate a place BEFORE finding a job there. I wish to use a loan to get me into an apartment rather than finding a job first, because I live in Georgia right now... I want to know if I can get my loan money ( from a bank or the school before school actually starts so that I have money to get me started over there.... ??

• Answer:

  That's not how college financial aid usually works. You need to apply to schools and apply for financial aid. For next year, you need to submit the Federal Financial aid forms between January 1 and June 30 2012. Make sure the schools you are applying to are listed on your financial aid form so they receive your eligibility information from the government. Once you are accepted for a school, they will send you a financial aid package, detailing the grants and loans you are eligible for, and the amount you/your family is expected to contribute. Once you confirm to the school and the financial aid office that you will be attending, they will tell you how they distribute the funds. They may write you a check, apply the funds to your school account or a combination of those. Private loans are less detailed and might be available to pay you earlier (in order to get a place to live), but usually come with more draconian repayment terms and higher interest. I suggest looking for a school with on-campus housing, at least to get you started. That will eliminate the difficulty convincing a landlord to rent to you with no job and no rental history. As for schools, if you don't want to be in Seattle, you have fewer options outside of the community colleges. Bellevue College, UW Bothell or UW Tacoma are 4 year options that are outside of Seattle but somewhat near. Western WA University is in Bellingham, and Evergreen is in Olympia. If you are looking at community colleges, outside of the city you could be considering Green River CC, Edmonds CC, Everett CC. Keep in mind that unless your family is military with WA state as your declared home state you'll have to pay out of state tuition...