<p>I have a young woman working for me who is doing 5 days/40 hrs in my shop, carrying a full time college schedule in a combo of online and traditonal classes. She's figured out how to afford college for herself and her situtation.</p>
<p>On the computer front, I was thinking of new computer systems for said shop and was playing on eBay. Did you know that you can buy a refurbished iMac G3 with everything you need for $99 plus shipping? It's not a laptop ... but they are pretty portable those little iMacs.</p>
<p>"Anyway, If I live here, my mother will start charging me rent, utilities, food, etc for living in her house (she has said so), which will end up being more expensive than going to college, and will likely, end up with me losing more than gaining. "</p>
<p>However. wouldn't it still be cheaper than going to college locally and living in dorm or otherwise on your own? Have you investigated those possibilities?</p>
<p>Also, how many hours a week are you working this summer and did you work during the school year to make your college dreams come true?</p>
<p>There have been pretty good practical advice so far such as attending a community college and working full time jobs. The job is pretty much a have to. In a sense many of these might be a given for you, but you may want to resort to more drastic measures. I dont mean to sound immoral, but to be honest you are in a tight desperate situation. All this is happening because you are considered dependant from your parents even though you are not. You should try to get an exemption from FAFSA to be considered, but that only works if you are eligible upon these circumstances below. Depending on your age it might be too late to declare yourself an orphan from your parents, but that something to be considered. I have heard of students who are having the same problem just signing up to get married to be considered independent because there parents were not contributing. Although many of you will probably choose to flame me to being suggestive you have to agree that he doesnt have many choices.<br>
The student is over the age of 24.
The student is enrolled in a post-graduate program.
The student is married.
The student has children, or other non-spouse dependents, who receive more than half of their monetary support from the student.
The student is an orphan or ward of the state.
The student is a military veteran.</p>
<p>It all really depends on how much you want this education. If you really want it and have a plan you can do it but it means giving up stuff that other students have and it means going into debt which only makes sense if you are totally sure you are willing to work hard and have a career plan that will allow you to pay this off. I know I did this in the 70's. My dad lost his job 2 months before I started college. I graduated withe the largest debt in my class. $35000 for 7 years of school undergrad and med school in a time when my first year tuition was $2200 and my last was $6000 It meant I never went out to eat with friends, I walked instead of paying 20cts to take the bus, I worked multiple jobs during the year and in the summer. You know what it was the best money I ever spent. It meant I owned my education. It also meant I learned to manage money better than my younger sibling who went to school later when my father had a job.</p>
<p>My own parents provided zero for my education. In mother's case, she was ill and unemployed and there was little she could do. My father was well off, but had no interest. The hardest thing I had to do was come to grips with the fact that under no circumstances could I rely on my father. It was difficult for me to comprehend because he ran in rather rareified social circles where virtually all parents not only supported their children to the nth degree, but frankly spoiled them. So I deluded myself into thinking that he somehow could be trusted. Fortunately, I did intuit at some level and in the nick of time that I needed to rely entirely on myself (not a bad thing). So my advice to you is to truly digest what is so difficult to do - you can't rely on your parents at all - and even if you somehow get them to participate, my own experience with reluctant parents that do not buy in is that they will cease to help at some point, leaving you hanging in a big time way. </p>
<p>I can't help but think the community college/JC route is the way to go. You seem pretty smart - and likely will do well. (I like Tarhunt's overall advice, by the way). In any event, be prepared to accept the fact that you are on your own, don't feel sorry for yourself because of it (you will have a freedom your rely on parents friends will in fact envy), and literally, look in the mirror, be comfortable being accountable only to yourself, and ask yourself where you want to be in 5 years, and then 10, and figure out the most economic way to go about it. </p>
<p>By the way, my own own journey through university and grad school is not a very helpful model. It is way quirky and unusual. But the point is to play whatever cards you are dealt, as best as you can.</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd get any job for one year, move out with your sibling if you have to. Both of you work as many hours as possible, (not sure why you weren't doing that already--my kid has saved thousands working a crummy fast food job-- they take ANY employee for any length of time) save every penny. Do you have high test scores? There are many state universities that will give you a full ride for as little as a 29 on the ACT. Find one and go there. Use the $ you saved for transportation/personal expenses. Forget the TV. You can make monthly payments of around $15 on a laptop. You can do it. If you can't go home after year one, get a summer job at park or camp that provides housing, save your $ and repeat (I did this in college--never went home after I left at 17).</p>