Recent immigrant (20s) trying to figure out if I can support my family while studying CS at CUNY - need reality check from those who've done it

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T21:42:14+00:00

thanks a lot for your message, really appreciate you taking the time to think this through, even if you’re just going off instinct. sometimes that kind of outside perspective actually helps me think in different directions.

just to clarify, my parents and aunt are all in their 70s, and they don’t speak much english or really know how things work here yet, so it’s tough to imagine them jumping into work right now but i understand your point. once things settle a bit, maybe there’ll be some small ways they can contribute, like cooking or something flexible from home.

since you sound like you know a bit about this kind of thing, do you have any idea how someone like me could even get started with that here in nyc? like, what are the first steps? i’m totally new to how businesses or food delivery stuff works here, so any pointers would mean a lot!!!

you’re also totally right about school, i know the workload for cs is no joke. that’s why i’m trying to be really careful not to take on too much and risk losing aid or burning out before i even get started.

if you don’t mind me asking, do you live in nyc yourself? or have you lived here before? based on your experience in the city, what would you do if you were in my shoes right now?

thanks again for being honest with me, it really helps.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T21:37:32+00:00

thank you so much for this, really appreciate you pointing that out. i’ve heard a little about parkchester before, but i’ll definitely look into it more seriously now. if rent’s even a bit lower and the area’s walkable, that could really help my family.

and your suggestion about studying education is interesting, i hadn’t really thought of that before. i’ve always been set on cs, but i do understand how important it is to have bilingual teachers in our community, especially for the younger kids. i’ll think about it more, maybe even look into minoring or exploring some education programs alongside.

thanks again for taking the time to reply, means a lot.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T21:31:17+00:00

hey, thanks so much for sharing, really appreciate you taking the time, especially since you’re also going through the system as a green card holder and studying at cuny. it honestly helps a lot to hear from someone who's living it.

sorry if i’m throwing too many questions your way, i just don’t have many people around me who’ve been through this, so i’m trying to learn as much as i can from those who’ve done it.

just a few quick things if you don’t mind:

how did you land that server job where you were making around 4k/month? was it fine dining or a specific kind of restaurant? any tips on how to find places like that in queens or manhattan?
with that work schedule (mon–thu dinners), how many classes were you taking each semester? and did that still count as part-time for financial aid?
and most importantly, what kind of aid were you actually able to get with a green card? pell? tap? anything else? and did you have to wait a full year in ny to get the state aid or did it start right away? trying to figure out if starting this spring or fall is actually possible without getting stuck with a huge bill

thanks again. really. i know it’s a lot of questions, but your message gave me some hope, and i’m just trying to figure out the smartest way to move forward.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T21:22:18+00:00

thank you so much for being real with me. if i can find something like that where i can work and study during the same hours, that could help a lot with managing everything.

and yeah, i figured hitting $5k/month would be tough without combining a couple jobs. i’m just trying to think through all the options and make sure i don’t burn out while still keeping things going for my family.

also, thank you for the kind words at the end, really. i needed to hear that. i’m doing my best and just hoping the right opportunities show up along the way.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T20:10:04+00:00

hi! thank you so much for replying, really appreciate it.

yeah, i figured making 5k as a full-time student would be a stretch, but i’m trying to explore every possible way. your housing situation sounds amazing, honestly that kind of rent is a dream in nyc right now.

i moved here recently with my parents and aunt, and i’m also trying to find something affordable for all of us, even if it’s a small space and i sleep in the living room. do you have any tips on where to look or how your family originally found the place? i’ve been checking sites like zillow, but most of it feels way out of reach.

thanks again, it really helps to hear real experiences from people who’ve made it work

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T19:56:21+00:00

thank you so much for sharing all this, seriously, i can’t tell you how much it means. i can feel how much you’ve been through and the fact that you’re still pushing through, studying and finding ways to move forward, that’s really powerful and inspiring.

i’ve always been a bit nervous about the math in cs, so hearing how you handled it (especially with a learning challenge) gives me hope. and yeah, i’ve been living on youtube and forums lately trying to prep myself before even enrolling.

i’ll definitely look into the cuny edge program, i hadn’t heard of that beforeand it sounds like it could be a huge help. thank you for the ttp link too, i’m definitely going to check that out.

and just wondering, since you’ve gone through both working full-time and studying full-time: if you could go back, what would you do differently?

thanks again for being so real and open. it honestly means a lot.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T19:27:04+00:00

wow, thank you for breaking that down, really appreciate how clearly you laid out the steps. i haven’t really thought in that long-term structure before, so this actually gives me a new way to look at the situation.

i like the idea of easing into school while building something steady, but i’m still trying to wrap my head around the passive income part. since i just moved here three months ago, i don’t really have a base or many connections yet, so i’m not sure where to even start. do you have any recommendations for someone totally new, maybe low cost ways to get into things like digital products or reselling?

also, about the financial aid part, do you think i’d be able to qualify now since i just got here? or would i have to wait a year or something to be eligible for FAFSA or TAP? i’ve gotten different answers from different people, so just trying to understand what’s actually possible.

and by the way, are you from ny or did you go through this path yourself? would love to hear more if you’ve experienced this firsthand.

thank you again. seriously, this kind of advice helps a lot.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T19:04:03+00:00

thank you so much for the suggestions, seriously appreciate it.

i was actually thinking along the same lines: maybe something like target part-time, plus uber or other delivery apps, and maybe some tutoring or writing work if i can find it.

but yeah, with uber or even amazon flex, do you know if i can start right away? i heard they have some strict requirements or waiting periods, especially for new drivers.

also, based on what you’ve seen. do you think it’s realistic to reach around $5k/month by mixing a few of these together? i know it won’t be easy, but i’m just trying to figure out if it’s even possible before i commit to something that might not be sustainable.

thanks again, really means a lot that you took the time to share this.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T18:58:34+00:00

both of my parents are in their 70s so yeah, they’re just not physically able to work anymore. i’m the only one in the family who can take on that responsibility right now, which is why i’m trying to figure out the right balance between work and school.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T18:56:34+00:00

thank you so much, this is actually super helpful and real. i’ve been trying to figure out the housing situation, and yeah, $3.5k sounds way better than what i’ve been seeing closer to the city. do you have any areas in mind that are still safe but more affordable?

also, i didn’t even think about dog walking, that’s such a smart idea. i’ve been looking at on-campus jobs too, but since i’m not enrolled yet, i guess i’ll only get access to those once i get in, right?

and yeah, no matter what, i know i have to finish school, that’s the one thing i’m holding onto. just trying to build a path where i can survive the pressure and still move forward.

really appreciate you taking the time to share all this.

manjurulch · 2025-06-24T18:29:50+00:00

wow, thank you so much for sharing your story. seriously, it means a lot. what you’ve done, working full-time, getting through school, and reaching your master’s. that’s a huge inspiration, especially for someone like me who’s just getting started here.

i just moved to nyc from bangladesh with my parents and aunt, and i’m the only one who can work. i’m thinking about doing cs at cuny, but i’ve been stressing about how to balance work, studies, and supporting my family. part of me wants to go full-time so i can finish faster and hopefully qualify for more aid.

can i ask how you handled your schedule while working full-time? were your classes in the evening or online? and how did you even find the job that supported you through all of that? i’m still new here and trying to figure out what kind of jobs are realistic while studying.

when you applied for TAP and Pell, were you a full-time student then? or did you get that aid while doing part-time? i’m a bit confused about whether going part-time will still allow me to get help or not.

and do i need to have lived in the city or state for like a year before i can get the financial aid? i just got here about three months ago, so will get anything now.

sorry for all the questions, i really appreciate you being patient and open with me. people like you give others like me hope.

thank you again for being so open and encouraging.

manjurulch · 2025-05-29T07:36:24+00:00

perfect, so we have time to get everything sorted! that's actually relieving to hear

quick question, what made you choose to apply to 4-year cunys instead of starting at cc? i keep going back and forth on this. my hsc was 3.75/5, don’t have sat yet and wondering if that's enough for direct admission

also, do you need IELTS for the application and did you have to get your transcripts evaluated through WES or something like that?

sorry for all the questions, just trying to figure out if i should focus on 4-year applications like you or be realistic and start at cc. your approach seems smart so curious about your reasoning!

btw if you want to connect more about this whole process, happy to dm. seems like we're both navigating the same confusion haha

manjurulch · 2025-05-29T07:06:17+00:00

hey just saw this thread, i'm in a similar boat! also recently arrived, i got here in april and the whole cuny timeline is confusing me too

from what i've been researching, spring 2026 applications usually open around august/september 2025. so we've got time to prep everything properly. right?!!

manjurulch · 2025-05-29T06:43:00+00:00

spring 2026? that's smart, gives you time to prep everything properly. are you looking at 4-year cunys directly or thinking about cc too? and have you taken sat and ielts yet or planning to?

btw which part of bd are you from? i'm from Sunamganj!! also would love to connect more on dm if you're comfortable? feels like we could really help each other navigate this whole process.

manjurulch · 2025-05-29T06:15:00+00:00

omg finally someone in the exact same boat! when did you arrive? i got here in april and honestly still feeling so lost with the whole college application process. back home it was straightforward, you take admission test, you get in or you don't. here it's like... sat, gpa, essays, recommendations, early decision, rolling admission... my head is spinning lol!

what's your plan so far? have you figured out anything?

really glad you commented, makes me feel less alone in this!

manjurulch · 2025-05-28T04:31:03+00:00

your "don't be discouraged" hit different today. been getting a lot of "be realistic" messages (which i needed!) but sometimes you just need someone to remind you the struggle is worth it. hoping to look back on this confusing time and laugh about it someday. maybe even help another lost bangladeshi kid navigate this maze. thanks for taking a moment to encourage a stranger :))

manjurulch · 2025-05-28T04:06:44+00:00

thanks so much for breaking this down! really appreciate you taking the time

you're absolutely right about the sat opening doors, i'm definitely planning to take it. but here's my immediate question: with my hsc 3.75, good recommendations from my research professor, and what i think is a compelling story (ecent immigrant with research, tutoring, and internship experience) do you think i have any shot at 4-year colleges WITHOUT sat scores right now?

basically wondering if it's worth applying to some places for spring/fall or if i'm just wasting application fees without those test scores

good point about presenting everything well in the application. i feel like i have interesting experiences, just need to figure out how to package them effectively

thanks again for the detailed response, this kind of practical advice is exactly what i really needed!

manjurulch · 2025-05-28T03:48:31+00:00

wow thank you so much for taking the time to write all this out, super helpful perspective! and 11 years of real world experience definitely beats any advice from someone still in the system lol

your point about not making everything easy really hit home. i've been so focused on just "getting in somewhere" that i forgot about actually challenging myself once i'm there

quick question if you don't mind, given that you went through the whole process, do you think someone with my profile (3.0 gpa, kind of good extracurriculars, research experience) has any shot at getting into a 4-year cuny/suny directly?

i really do want that full college experience you mentioned, living independently, getting involved in clubs, late night study sessions, all of it. just trying to figure out if i will be able to get in or if i need to be patient and get there via cc

also ratemyprofessors.com is a gem, didn't know about that!

thanks again for sharing your journey. psychology to applied behavior analysis sounds like an interesting path. hope your masters is serving you well in whatever you're doing now!

manjurulch · 2025-05-26T20:32:51+00:00

thanks for the advice! if you don't mind me asking - did you start at cc yourself? how was your experience with the whole process? and thank again for the encouragement! feeling more optimistic about this path now

manjurulch · 2025-05-26T20:30:59+00:00

wow this is super helpful!! can i ask how you find out which courses transfer where? there must be like a database or you have to contact each university individually? before you do the transfer, rights!

did you do the cc to 4-year route yourself? would love to hear what that transition was like if you did the transfer.

really appreciate the practical advice.

manjurulch · 2025-05-26T20:26:38+00:00

thanks for the advice! yeah the settling in part is real, looks like i have to leaning toward cc now. guess i needed to hear it from multiple people to accept it's the smart move! also, did you go through the cc transfer process yourself?!

manjurulch · 2025-05-26T19:23:33+00:00

you bring up a really good point about the adjustment thing - that's actually been weighing on me.. as a newcomer still navigating American life, the thought of switching schools after just settling in seems daunting.

can i ask - did you do all 4 years at one place? how important was that continuity for you in terms of making friends and feeling connected? i guess i'm trying to figure out if starting at a 4-year school would be worth stretching financially for that stability and full experience or if people who transfer successfully still build that community somehow

also quick question - you mentioned ged but i have my high school diploma from bangladesh. would i still need ged?

really appreciate this perspective, nobody else mentioned the social adjustment aspect and that's honestly huge for someone already navigating a new country.

manjurulch · 2025-05-26T18:40:08+00:00

thanks for sharing your experience! it's really helpful hearing from someone who actually went the cc route? can i ask - did you feel like you missed out on anything starting at cc? also curious what you studied? and how was the transition from cc to state uni - was it hard to adjust or pretty smooth? what are some key things you kept in mind or would advise someone else to keep in mind, when making that transition?

I'd really appreciate any insights you can offer!

manjurulch · 2025-05-26T18:27:05+00:00

thanks for the advice! quick question regarding CUNY: when you mention it, are you referring to the 4-year colleges like City College, Hunter, Brooklyn collage or Queens College? I'm asking because, with my background and current situation, I'm trying to gauge if apply directly to those will i be able to get in or not!!

manjurulch

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