<p>I think lots of kids are in this situation.</p>
<p>Don't expect any sympathy.</p>
<p>This is a real situation; let's not make assumptions that the child is at fault. I know a girl whose father said, I'll pay whatever it takes for my sons; you're on your own. </p>
<p>When calculating your finanacial "need": most schools do not just look at how much your parents "could" pay. They also look at something called "student earnings." This is summer work and jobs during the school year. Most parents cannot easily pay whatever is left over after outright scholarships. What fills in the gap? LOANS! You will need to supplement your own earnings with student loans and jobs, which most schools can either help with or guide you toward. If that sounds too tough at an expensive school, then go for a state school. Look at the schools' websites. Many are frank that there is little financial aid for transfer students- much better if you start there as a freshman.</p>
<p>And, in the end, it's not how easy it was to pay for the education, it's the character you build by making your goals a reality.</p>
<p>"Don't expect any sympathy."</p>
<p>I don't believe s/he asked for any.</p>
<p>As for your dilemma: If he simply won't pay any of it, you might want to make cost a bigger factor in your college decisions, but not the main factor. There are always loans and, as others have said, merit scholarships.</p>
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Actually for this kid there MAY be some hope, depending on what state he lives in. Some states will require the non-custodial parent to contribute to the kids college education.
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<p>The OP didn't say parents are divorced, but maybe I just missed that. Are they?</p>
<p>"As for your dilemma"</p>
<p>Well I'm trying to say that it is common for parents to not pay for college.</p>
<p>some of you guys are quite mean, it seems obvious that your parents are the type that spoil you and will probably be paying for all your college expenses to any school.
But some of us dont have parents like that,and first of all the OP never asked you to cry him a river, he asked a simple question should he mention it in his application, he's not asking you to give him money...</p>