I wouldn't even think about a bike with financial aid. Get through school with ZERO debt and the bike will come later...
That was the first thing I thought when I read the initial post. Say it out loud to yourself and then see if it still makes sense (which hopefully you'll get that it's not the wisest of decisions). I have no idea of your personal financial standing (outside of needing financial aid), so please forgive if this doesn't apply.
Save the financial aid for the things you NEED, not material things like a Hayabusa which is a good way to start yourself out behind the 8-ball. It doesn't look like things are rebounding as quickly as most expected with the economy, so there may not even be a decent job out there for you when you finish school. Even if (and more importantly) you're a 1st or 2nd yr student, there's gotta be far better things to spend financial aid on than a bike...and the top of the line one at that. Don't spend it on Taco Bell either. There are tons of things that will pop up over the next yr where that money will be more than needed for it's desired purpose. It'll be an interesting day when Sallie Mae or Freddie Mac (or whomever) comes calling for their money 2-3 months after you've graduated (8-10 times a day from what I hear), and you're still looking for a job that doesn't post your hours on a paper schedule in the breakroom less than a week in advance, and pays salary not hourly. When this happens, you better hope there's someone nearby looking to take it off your hands and save you from a big mistake. $4-5,000 doesn't sound like much (especially when there's a couple thousand leftover and you're getting it big chunks), but going off of this, it sounds like you're likely to make a few other questionable decisions with money, so it's gonna go a lot quicker than you're expecting. Once you stop getting those aid checks, you're not gonna see another $5-10,000 chunk of money like that for some time. There's a reason the overwhelming majority of members on here are 30+ and not a bunch of teens and 20 year olds and it ain't the power (no disrepect youngans)...mainly it's because these bikes are expensive!! (moreso for maintenance and upkeep).
**Looked at the profile/age of the OP after writing this**
Not sure why I took the time to say all of that when we all know people (especially younger ones) are going to do what they're going to do, regardless of outside input. If you think we're telling you this just to hate...you couldn't be more wrong. I've been there, and I'm guessing everyone else telling you the same has been there as well. Times are tough right now, and even with that being said, it shouldn't take a financial expert to tell you buying high priced (for a college student with no income) luxury items with financial aid could be one of the most ignorant and immature things you could possibly do. I remember when some of the other guys I went to school with that were also scholarship that would get their checks at the beginning of the semester. They'd be out at Best Buy getting camcorders and other high priced items, going to all the restaurants and bars, etc. Then like clockwork, at the end of the semester, you'd see them getting in fights with roommates for not having money for rent and bills. Sometimes they'd even try taking the stuff back after a couple months once they realized they were gonna be f**ked. I thank god for my parents teaching me better.
(be sure to post pics when you get it...)
sorry for the lecture
