How to Pay for College?

I’m a HS senior.

Assuming I went to my State School , After All automatic merit scholarships+ need based aid, there’s still a net price of 15k. This is data from the Net Price Calculator so this should be a fairly accurate estimate. I have fairly high stats so may potentially win additional merit scholarships, but am trying to asses the worst case scenario. As I understand, the federal loan limit is 5500. My parents have communicated that they will not pay anything or co-sign any loans, and will kick me out next year. How would I secure additional loans? Is it possible to get ~10k in loans without a parent?

CC isn’t really an option for me. I already have 3+ years worth of college credit completed , and the local one doesn’t have any math classes higher than the ones I’m currently taking. It would be a waste of money and time

You won’t be able to get additional loans. What is your state school? What are your stats? People can recommend some other alternatives. If you got full tuition merit you might be able to pay for your room and board with the student loan and a good summer job.

To get any financial aid, including that $5500 loan, you will need your parents’ cooperation as they have to release their financial info On FAFSA and other fin aid forms.

Why will your parents kick you out?

If your parents kick you out and you have to couch surf, you can try to apply as an independent and get $9500 on loans and be possibly eligible for Pell grant money up to $6195

College is not the go to place when you have nowhere to go. It would not be easy to make it through yourself. Our system assumes parents will take care of college. Otherwise it’s a long arduous gauntlet

@“Erin’s Dad” 35 ACT 4.0 UW GPA good EC’s (Research etc. )

@Sybylla I come from a very religious west African Family and I accidentally let it slip that I was atheist. My Dad’s exact words were “Since you don’t believe that god can help you, I can’t help you either”

Could living off campus be cheaper than room & board at the school? In some areas it is, but also some schools make freshmen live on campus. But if you could get an apartment, then you would have somewhere to stay over summers. Groceries can be a lot cheaper than a meal plan. And rent would be due monthly, not up front, so maybe could be earned with a job as you go.

Can you work this school year and next summer?

I am sorry for your situation OP.

Forgive me, obviously I know absolutely nothing about you and your situation, but could you not “believe” for the next 4 years?

Guessing it’s more complicated than that, and again, I am sorry.

Well, there is a full ride here:

https://www.pvamu.edu/faid/types-of-aid/scholarships/university-scholarships/

There was one here – you may want to check back to see if it reappears:

https://www.tuskegee.edu/programs-courses/scholarships/freshman-scholarships

I suggest you make peace with your parents, frankly what you believe or not is purely inside your head. Did you disrespect your parents in any irreversible way? Your obvious academic success is going to be in no small way due to the opportunities your parents have provided. Are you from a wealthy family? Private school?

No we aren’t wealthy, I go to public school nor did I really disrespect them. Before they found out I was atheist they weren’t going to pay for college anyways, its the kicking me out that’s new.

If your parents kick you out and offer no support, have a look at Dependency Override:

http://cca-ct.org/financial%20aid%202008.pdf
http://www.finaid.org/educators/pj/dependencyoverrides.phtml

There are many students in similar positions and it sucks that our system doesn’t really provide alternatives to parent-funded education. With your stats you might consider looking at schools that provide full ride merit scholarships. Or at least full tuition. I suggest you get a job that pays reasonably well. I worked 30-40 hours/week through college. It’s not ideal but it is possible.

Are you a likely National Merit Finalist? Are you an American Citizen?

You need to find close to or a complete full ride. I’m sorry you are going through this with your family, but I’d try to make peace.

…when parents legitimately can’t afford to help. However, there actually are alternatives for many (but not all) students in situations like this. Not every student’s first choice (or second, or third), but alternatives nonetheless.

What is your state? What applications are complete?

Are you going to be a CS major or what?

How did you do on the PSAT as a junior? Are you a likely NMSF?

Are you a citizen or green card holder?

What is your home state?

With your stats, we should be able to find you a free ride somewhere.

Are you retesting? With a 36 ACT, you could get a huge award from UAH.

Looks like tuition with the OP’s current stats, tuition plus one year of housing with 36 ACT:
https://www.uah.edu/admissions/undergraduate/financial-aid/scholarships/freshmen/freshmen-non-al-merit-tuition-scholarships

UAH’s neighbor school AAMU offers a full ride for the OP’s current stats:
https://www.aamu.edu/admissions-aid/financial-aid/scholarships/_documents/academic-scholarship-brochure-2018-2019.pdf

@mom2collegekids
Yes I am applying as a CS major

I missed the PSAT cutoff by 1 point junior year so no, I can’t be a NMF.

I am a US Citizen

My home state is Ohio

I will be taking the SAT in October, but don’t think I’ll be able to score perfect. I’ll try my best.