<p>I am currently a junior in high school. I want to go to a nice school, and know I am capable of suceeding in one, but am concerned of the price. I eventually want to become a lawyer and live in DC, and am more than confident that I will get my wish. However, I have been alienated from my family and so am having no financial support from any of them once I graduate high school. I am completely on my own and am wondering if this alone should discouraged me from going to the school of my dreams. I believe I will be able to pay for it once I get my degree. Any advice would be much appreciated. I am lost. If it helps I am going to try being a freelance translator/interpreter as my main source of income throughout college and law school. I can speak English, Spanish and am currently having a go at Japanese.
My top picks-
New York University
Boston University
George Washington University</p>
<p>I highly suggest that if you are responsible for your college costs,and are planning to pay for it AFTER you graduate,you need to rethink this plan…seek out every scholarship,merit aid,and any financial aid possible…taking on 200k of debt in undergrad costs would be a huge mistake</p>
<p>As somebody in your situation I have to say, it’s really tough. I’m a senior in high school now and I WAS accepted to my dream school (Boston University, ironically enough). However, even with grants and scholarships, I am left to pay $22,000 a year. I have saved by working high school and will undoubtedly work while in college. However, this is A LOT to borrow even if I could reduce the costs by a couple thousand each year. Honestly, I would encourage you to <em>apply</em> to these schools but don’t get your hopes up. Do you have any idea how much your EFC would be each year? You can figure this out by using free online calculators. </p>
<p>BTW, if your parents have a high income, don’t expect money from the schools you listed unless you have really high stats. These schools do give SOME (not much) need based money to those kids who really need it. </p>
<p>My advice, get a job NOW. Save like crazy for the next year and a half. Apply to your dream schools but also some financial safety schools, and go from there. If I could go back to junior year, I would’ve looked more closely at schools that would’ve given me more money. At that time, I thought I could take out any amount of money and not worry about it. But now that it’s so real, I realize how crazy this mentality is. True, it’s possible but it really isn’t plausible. What state do you live in? Check out state schools. </p>
<p>Please remember that law school is EXPENSIVE. You have to save for that as well.</p>
<p>I completely understand how hard this is. There will be parents here on CC strongly urging you NOT to take out these debts. And the fact that if you don’t have a cosigner, you won’t even been able to take out these loans (which is true). Even though you don’t want to hear what they have to say, they ARE right. I wish I took their advice when I was applying to schools. </p>
<p>We’re both in a tough position. I don’t think you should ever give up on your dreams of attending your dream school but I do think you should make sure you go into this completely aware of anything. Attending your dream school may mean working while trying to maintain good grades while trying to have a social life while trying to build your resume for law school. It won’t be easy. </p>
<p>Good luck! I know we’re going to need it.</p>
<p>You are not in a position to afford any of the schools you mentioned. In your other post, you mentioned that you were going to attend community college. That is the smartest way for you to begin your college education at this point. </p>
<p>You do not need to go to an expensive private for undergrad in order to someday become a lawyer and/or live in DC. You will, however, need money to pay for law school, as there is no financial aid for that. You also may change your mind about what you want to do with your life. Doing your general education distribution requirements at a community college, showing you can do well there, and not going into debt are all good ideas. As they say, a dream isn’t the same as a plan.</p>
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<p>None of these guarantee to meet the full need of all accepted students…and they don’t. </p>
<p>Unless you have a very extenuating circumstance, you will be required to provide the financial information from your parents to receive need based aid.</p>
<p>If you plan to take loans in excess of the Stafford loans (which are in your name), you will need to find a co-signer for these loans. You will likely not be able to secure a large amount of loans without someone else cosigning the loans. Simply put…you have no assets to protect the bank in case you default.</p>
<p>You can’t pay for college AFTER you graduate…you have to pay as you go. Actually, if you don’t set up your payment options prior to classes starting, most schools will not allow you to attend at all.</p>
<p>If you plan to go to law school, you need to keep your undergrad debt to a BARE minimum. Also keep in mind that some law schools ALSO request parent financial information for financial aid.</p>
<p>I think you need to look at some undergrad options that are affordable. Apply to your schools listed above but do so with your eyes wide open regarding finances. They might work out…and they might not. Have a good plan for if the above listed schools don’t provide sufficient money for you to attend.</p>
<p>I agree with Thumper1. NYU is notorious for leaving their students in massive debt. :(</p>
<p>You might be through with your parents, but unfortunately the schools don’t look at that way. Unless you meet the definition of independence which is age 24 in most cases unless you are married, have a dependent, are a veteran, or have a court order, your parents financials are going to determine financial need. </p>
<p>If you are determined to go it on your own, look at Momfromtexas’s full need scholarship thread. You can still apply to those 3 schools you covet, but realize they are lottery tickets. You would need close to a full scholarship from them to go there, and unless you are a student that is way up there in stats, it isn’t going to happen.</p>
<p>If you are truly separated from your parents, I would suggest you work towards getting your situation together</p>
<p>The first step would be to have a court officially recognize you as an independent or emancipated minor. This will open up MANY doors in terms of financial aid, which you would desperately need. Do whatever it takes. Visit your local courthouse and file to be registered as emancipated. The process will be difficult as you have to prove you are completely unencumbered by all adult care. I suggest you get this done soon, as you will have slim chances of getting enough financial aid for college otherwise. </p>
<p>Also, you might not be there under the best of circumstances, but it will get you some nice court exposure since you wanna be lawyer 
</p>
<p>I would also suggest you have a Director of an emergency shelter program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determine that you are an unaccompanied youth, or self-supporting youth, at risk of being homeless. </p>
<p>These are all necessary factors in working towards a college education in your situation…
Best of Luck :)</p>
<p>Being emanicpated would make the OP independent for financial aid purposes. HOWEVER, NYU, BU and GWU do NOT meet full need. She/he could have a family contribution of $0 and still not receive sufficient aid to attend these schools.</p>