<p>Okay. let me start by saying my parents are driving me insane. They forced me to commute to UCSD which is about FIFTY. I'm not kidding. FIFTY minutes away from my home since they didn't want me to dorm because of there over protective nature. Also, they treat me like a child. I'm freaking 18 for gods sake. They also want me to come home before 8! I'm so fed up with this. If I don't, my mom spams calls on my cell telling me to come home. And I want to take out a loan so I can get off campus housing near UCSD. I just don't know what do. I tried going to the financial aid office but they keep telling me to schedule an appointment. I did like a week ago, but they keep saying "oh, are you sure you made an appointment with us?". So, any advice on loans is very helpful to me (and links too, if you can please provide them). I've already looked on the UCSD site regarding off campus housing, but as for the money, I don't know what to do other then trying to find a part time job (which I've been doing for the past two weeks). My other option was just going part time at UCSD and finding a full time job.</p>
<p>What's the situation? Are you looking for rent money, or are your parents going to cut off funding if you move out?</p>
<p>Frankly, there's not much you can do if you're going to have to raise tuition by yourself. Rent money, on the other hand, might be feasible.</p>
<p>Well, my tuition is pretty much going to be paid off through scholarships. I got a full ride going to ucsd for four years. The only thing my parents pay for are the "mandatory fees" that get charged on my billing statement. I pay for all my other excess fees like my books, gas, and food. But after all of that, I'm practically broke. I've been living off my summer job checks so far. </p>
<p>I was also thinking I might just drop out of ucsd, and go to community college so rent will be easier for me.</p>
<p>I don't think ucsd gives out (or any uc) loans that are specifically for housing. but i'm not exactly sure. i do know a couple people who didn't really like ucsd and dropped out to do cc. but i wouldn't recommend it unless you're really adamant about leaving.</p>
<p>One area to reduce fees is through health insurance. It's not too late to waive it beginning with Winter. Now, I'm not advising you to change your insurance, but I have a "catastrophic health insurance plan", under which I basically pay all medical expenses up to $4000/yr. Everything after that is covered 100%. I also have a dental plan that covers about 90% of all expenses. Total is $68/mo and it meets the requirements for waiving SHIP. That saves something like $100/mo right there.</p>
<p>Food can run you as little as $100/mo, and if you can probably find a room, possibly a shared room, near campus for ~$400/mo. At that point, if the car is too expensive you have the option of not driving it.</p>
<p>If you've got a free ride, I'd really consider other options before dropping out to CC. As far as I can tell your costs would not be much less, anyway.</p>
<p>Cheers,
Joe</p>