Do I have any options for next year?

Parents Forum
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<p>So long story short and I'd rather not go into too many details on the internet but it looks like I won't be able to attend my college choice this year and my parents are basically kicking me out of the house. They want the best for me and I respect them, but we need space and now I can't afford college. (School I picked was an instate public, so not terribly expensive, but funding fell through and now I have to borrow $17,000-19,000 just this year to cover the gap). I'm not willing to borrow that much, the school is good but it's not exactly Harvard.
I tried contacting another school I almost went to, but I did not receive a reply yet, but I just emailed them this morning. Maybe I should try calling. This school was an OOS Southern public that I liked but wasn't blown away with, hence why I chose to stay instate. However, this school ended up being cheaper so right now, I would be able to attend without borrowing too too much (like less than $10,000). If I get to keep the scholarships, which is kinda doubtful.
:( But it's almost July and I don't think that school went to their waitlist this year. I was hoping they might make an exception for me since I was in the Honors College and schools always like to brag about how big their honors colleges are, but I know this is a long shot. </p>

<p>And now it looks like I need to find something to do for at least 8 months starting in September. And I can't be living with my parents (so finding a cheap but safe place to rent is going to be a bear).
I had pretty good grades in high school, 4.3 GPA, 2140 SAT, Eagle Scout, NHS, student government, opinions editor in the newspaper, and a few other things. Won a few awards, including a community service one, and worked a few jobs in high school. </p>

<p>So if I would have looked for a gap year program awhile ago, I think I would have had a decent shot of finding and getting accepted into a decent one. From what I understand, internships for high school grads with no college experience are basically impossible to find. </p>

<p>Any ideas or things that I could do? Looking into Americorps, looks like they still have some openings. City Year is also still accepting applications in some locations (I called around), although I need to hurry my rear (like submit it by tomorrow). </p>

<p>Looking into maybe a govt job. I'm a military brat, so I will have a military ID until I am 22. I know not many people here would be able to answer this, but would I maybe be allowed to live on a military base (I'd have to pay rent of course, since I wouldn't actually be in the military, just working a civilian job on the base). That would make things so easy, it wouldn't be super expensive, safe and I found a couple of jobs that I would qualify for. Pay is ok, considering all I have is a H.S. degree.
But I'd take anything at this point. </p>

<p>Any suggestions? Something I could do for next year? Keep pursuing Americorps? I guess I am lucky since before senior year I was considering a gap year, so I'm not completely clueless with my options. Though I missed a ton of deadlines, so a lot of them are out of the questions. Would love to study abroad through rotary, but I don't really have the time to plan that lol. </p>

<p>Thanks and any input is greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>okay, jeffrey, fess up: whyyyy are your parents kickin u to the curb…???</p>

<p>anyway, it seems like a community college transfer may be your best option. of course you’ll need to find a job to pay for an apartment. you may be able to get some financial aid as well. check out the financial aid forum. good luck.</p>

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<p>Are you good with kids? What about a nanny (manny :)) or au pair job in another country? Would get you abroad with your expenses paid.</p>

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<p>Actually if OP is good with kids, I would suggest nanny/aupair right here in NY. A job with school age kids can allow you to study at least part time. I think the rule is wait a year and you get in-state tuition in NY. Back when I hired aupairs there were always a few guys.</p>

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<p>There are many more active duty military persons seeking on-base housing than there are available housing units. There’s usually a waiting list, and it is available only to the active duty service member, not to his or her dependent. If you got an on-base job you would be considered to be a civilian (because YOU aren’t active duty military). I don’t know of any CONUS (in the continental U.S.) bases that have housing available for civilian employees, however you need to clarify that with your particular base.</p>

<p>Have you thought about taking a gap year and applying for an ROTC scholarship for the following year?</p>

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<p>I assume you’re looking at something like USA Jobs to find government jobs? I don’t want to rain on your parade, but hardly anyone gets hired through USAJobs. And even if you were to get picked, you have to wait several months to go through the rounds and rounds of bureaucratic paperwork. If, on the other hand, you’ve found some jobs through a personal lead, then that’s great. </p>

<p>I would say definitely consider Americorps, or if you would prefer something that pays better, as others have said, childcare can be a very good option. Especially for guys. Lots of parents want guys as nannies, especially young ones that can be very active and sporty. And you automatically stand out from the crowd. Plus, it often pays pretty well, and includes housing. With nannying you’d be getting a salary vs. with Americorps or City Year, which are both amazing programs, but you get a pretty bare bones stipend and if you were planning on saving for school, that’s going to essentially be impossible. Also with City Year, housing is not provided, you have to rent a place yourself in the city where you’re working.</p>