I'm in a rut when it comes to affording/paying for college.

College Search & Selection
1

<p>******<strong><em>skip down if you don't feel like reading all the text here</em></strong>********</p>

<p>Let's just say my parents are divorced and since the divorce they have never been on relatively good terms. My father is the money maker and basically the dictator of the family, while my mum is the opposite.</p>

<p>At the moment in bonds and from money saved from working, I have enough to pay for one semester at community college, then after that I'm screwed. My father won't help pay for anything until I "pay my share", which is rather impossible for me to do since I can't find a job. I've been looking since summer and haven't had a strike of luck at all, I've only managed to get myself two interviews in that time span. So at the moment I'm currently not attending any school of any sort and can't find a job, I will be using the little money I do have for a semester at the community college starting in January.</p>

<p>Is there anything I can possibly do to get out of this situation and get to a school besides a community college? I REALLY don't want to be stuck in this same area living at my mum's house for the next 4 years. I want to get out and meet new people and not be stuck living with my parents, I want some independency for once. Especially after "living" with my dad the past few years, he was never really around so I grew up living on my own pretty much, so I might go insane living with my mum the next 4 years.</p>

<p>I mean... I've looked into some private schools, since apparently they give out a lot in aid. But they always ask for my dad's financial records, and once they ask for what he makes that kills any chances of me qualifying for aid. </p>

<p>Are there any schools that won't ask for his financial records? Since he pretty much isn't a part of my life at all anymore now that he is gone and moved away. I need a school that will just focus on my mums since she's basically the only one willing to help pay for me at the moment and she can't spare much already paying for my brother to go to community college (he enjoys it though). I mean... I don't want to sound greedy, I just want to try something new, all my friends are gone and doing their own thing and I'm the only person behind anymore.</p>

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<p>So what it boils down to is I have a greedy rich father that one help me pay, and I need schools that won't bother asking for his financial records when I apply for aid or loans (parents are divorced).
I tried private schools and a lot tend to ask for his records which kills my chances for aid money and I heard they tend to give out the most, plus, most are more liberal leaning and I'd prefer to be in a more liberal environment, students, professors and all.</p>

<p>Or if I have to apply for loans, how does it work applying for federal loans? I don't want to apply for private bank ones, I don't trust them. </p>

<p>GPA: 3.65
SAT/ACT scores: 1550/21
Interested Major: Journalism/Political Science
Minor: German</p>

<p>Any help would be appreciate because I want to get out there and learn, I'm sick of being home and doing nothing with myself at this point, it's the longest summer break ever and it's pushing my limits of sanity.</p>

2

<p>At this point, I think the best thing you can do is to throw yourself into your studies at community college. Get excellent grades to establish a track record of success in college. Plan to continue at community college all of next year. Pay for it with your own summer earnings, whatever your mother can contribute, and loans if necessary.</p>

<p>Community colleges often have transfer agreement (or “articulation agreements”) with partnering 4 year schools, including private institutions. Investigate these at your CC so you know exactly what you need to do (courses to take, grades to maintain) to guarantee admission as a transfer to one or more schools.</p>

<p>Once you have a good record at community college, you’ll be in a better position for financial aid or to ask your father for help.</p>

3

<p>FAFSA only schools will only ask for your custodial parent info. Sounds like you live with your mom. However, most FAFSA only schools (if not all) do not guarantee to meet full need, so even with a EFC of 0, you will likely be “gapped.” </p>

<p>There may be some schools that will give you merit aid for your stats, but generally you would need to be a freshman applicant. After your semester at CC you will be considered a transfer student.</p>

<p>By far the most economical choice would likely be to obtain you AA at CC and apply to transfer to an in-state public that has an articulation agreement with your CC.</p>

<p>Merit aid is your other option if you can find a school that will give guaranteed merit for your stats. Most of these schools have DEC. 1 deadline for merit consideration.</p>

4

<p>Are you an int’l? Do you live in the states?</p>

<p>Not all schools ask for non-custodial parent’s income…but it sounds like you’ve been living with your dad.</p>

<p>I don’t think getting merit scholarships is going to work. The student will be a transfer student.</p>

5

<p>Once OP is enrolled at a community college, he will be a transfer student & transfers do not get much aid, either public in-state or public OOS or private either. </p>

<p>FAFSA only schools which do not ask for non-custodial parent info are not going to be schools that meet 100% need. The OP is in a very tough position.</p>