<p>I don't even know? But as of now I seriously ruling them out of the equation. I have call the schools and left messages and no one will respond to them.</p>
<p>How old is your sister? I'm wondering if you could get an off campus apartment for yourself & sister, and let her attend HS in the area. If you become her guardian, won't you get financial aid?</p>
<p>You sound bright and concerned. Could your GC or social worker help you conference with any of the colleges and see if they can offer a solution?</p>
<p>She is 14.</p>
<p>the only thing is JUM is in a rural area so I don't even know if I could get as much help if I was in a urban environment...But this is just a thought.</p>
<p>If she is responsible, then perhaps you could have her live with you.</p>
<p>I will look into the boarding school for my sister ASAP. But she have been though a lot in her life as well. I don't know if borading school will this give her the support that she needs.</p>
<p>Will James Madison let you live off campus (and keep the same level of financial aid)? Harrisonburg is a reasonably-sized town -- and it might be good for your sister to get her away from the various influences of your home city. So if you could find a place to stay there reasonably close to the campus, it might work out very well for you. You can get part-time work to supplement your income while you are in school.</p>
<p>I have a friend who teaches high school in the area. I can find out which schools are good--but I sure wish you could have one year in the dorms before you became a parent. Can your older sister keep her for a Year?</p>
<p>Also, if she is a good student, she might have a good shot at a boarding school next year--sort of doing what you're doing this year. You could help her organize those apps.</p>
<p>She not a good student grade wise anyway. She have the potential--(have been some bright moments in her by just talking with her and her insight) and the environment she grew up really never gave her a chance to ever shine.</p>
<ul>
<li>See social services for help.</li>
<li>If you have no income, it seems that the state would pick up the tab for any medical issues (regarding your question on insurance).</li>
<li>Even if you figured out how to take your sister in, if your mother has legal guardianship of her she could always take her back. You might want to pursue legal guardianship if you think this'll be an issue.</li>
<li>If your other sister can take care of this one in a safe environment while you go to college, that'd be a good avenue to pursue.</li>
<li>Above all, make sure both your sister and you are in a safe environment (no drugs in the house, no men in and out of the house, etc.)</li>
<li>Do try to go to school since it's the way you can help not just yourself but your family as well. </li>
</ul>
<p>I wish you the best. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders.</p>
<p>Don't underestimate her. Look at what you've accomplished. Talk to her counselors. See what they think of her potential. They might have some national test scores that show her potential.</p>
<p>You are probably too late for Sept this year...but there are a few boarding school with rolling application dates. Otherwise you'd be aiming for Sept 2008.
Could you persuade your sister to take up an opportunity like a boarding school?</p>
<p>What does your sister want? Do your siblings agree that she cannot live with your mother? Will yoru mother fight you for custody of her?</p>
<p>The military is not the solution. With the military, you have to go where they send you, and that may be to almost any place in the world. Depending on where you are sent, you may be stationed there for only a few months and/or you may not be able to bring dependants (your sister).</p>
<p>I don't understand why your GC isn't helpful, but you can call Social Services and begin taking the steps to get custody. Make sure that you thoroughly document your concerns about your mom and the welfare of your sister.</p>
<p>As for college, if you want to go to college while also helping your sister, your best option probably is to start in your local community college. The price should be low, plus you should not have to move your sister away from her hometown, which can be traumatic and lead to acting out behavior particularly in adolescents from dysfunctional homes.</p>
<p>You could work while continuing in community college part time. This could allow your sister to graduate from high school while living with you. After she graduates, you could transfer elsewhere.</p>
<p>Another option for your sister is Piney Woods Boarding School, which is probably the country's oldest boarding school for black students. Here's what it says about financial aid:
"Young people from all walks of life come to The Piney Woods School. We seek to increase the number of students who stay in school and go on to competitive colleges and successful careers.
Our Board of Directors mandates that at least 60% of our students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. As a result, many Piney Woods students come from poor, single-parent homes and require some form of financial assistance to pay for their education. Yet, each year, at least 95% of our graduating seniors go on to some of the most prestigious universities in the nation.</p>
<p>Unlike other boarding schools, Piney Woods does not rely on tuition to cover the majority of its operating expenses. Student fees are based on each student’s family income. These expenses include tuition, room, board, medical and incidental fees, of which most parents can only pay a fraction of this amount. The school must make up the difference through our scholarship program. Foundations, organizations, and individuals contribute to the program with the goal of “Changing the World. . . One Student At A Time!”</p>
<p>I have known people who sent their kids there, and were pleased with the education.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pineywoods.org/exceptional.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.pineywoods.org/exceptional.htm</a></p>
<p>I don't know much about this, but some schools do have family housing. It's usually for older students, but I do recall that at least one school allowed students in your situation to live in family housing, in the same way it does for single parents. Ask at each of the schools you are considering. </p>
<p>I think it's going to be a lot harder for a young single male to get legal custody of a 14 year old female than you think it will be. It will take a LONG time, with things like home visits and court dates, etc. The military is not going to let you just "declare" that your sister is your dependent and allow her to live with you in base housing and/or off base in private housing. You're going to be expected to live in a barracks for quite some time--and there's not going to be a place there for your sister. </p>
<p>I'd call your local Bar Association --an organization of attorneys-- and ask for someone who might give you a free or low cost consultation. Also call Legal Aid. At least find out what you have to do to get custody. </p>
<p>If you're at all religious, contact Catholic Charities, The Federation of Protestant Welfare Organizations, the Salvation Army or any other group you feel comfortable with. Explain the situation and ask for help figuring out what to do. I'd also contact the chaplain of your faith at each of the schools you are considering. Get in touch with organizations like Boys & Girls Club. </p>
<p>Good luck! Keep us posted.</p>
<p>I will keep you all up to date on what ever happens. Still waiting for social services for more advice for the situation. I hate to say this to but her living with my older sister would not place in a safe environment, unfortunly.</p>
<p>You don't need to be religious to get help from organizations like Catholic Social Services or Lutheran Social Services, which offer low cost nonreligious counseling to people of any religion or nonreligion background.</p>
<p>Despite the fact that this is a CC board, the vast majority of human beings here in the US do not generally have "boarding school" as a viable option -- except for possibly very specialized programs like the one Northstarmom referenced. If you have specific links like that, then please share them. </p>
<p>Usually it's enough of a struggle for typical US teenagers to keep their head above water and pass all their courses each year, especially if dealing with the sort of family stress and issues. These kids have a parent who is a drug addict and another sibling who is incarcerated. You really should not be assuming that the younger sister is a strong student or has good test scores. Given the family circumstances, we don't know what other social/behavioral issues the younger sister might have as well. Part of Oiram's frustration might stem from the fear that his younger sister is about to make the same mistakes that have already caused disarray in the older siblings' lives. We just don't know that this kid is a candidate to be shipped off to some school somewhere.</p>
<p>It still like that for now you are the only bright spot and hope in your family. Save yourself first, get yourself the best possible education. You will be in a much better position to pull your litter sister up afterward.</p>
<p>Maybe Oiram's under some stress right now. </p>
<p>It's very common for functioning of students with ld's to deteriorate markedly when under stress.</p>
<p>I placed a seriously LD overseas senior into a 5th year boarding program in the US where he got an 80% scholarship and in turn ended up with three full scholarship offers to US colleges. He only got 80% becasue his parents had the ability to pay the rest.</p>
<p>And that's not the only kid. I've helped a few others get into boarding school so that they could get out of difficult home situations. Boarding schools are terrific options for kids who are bright and in need--and some of the schools have amazing resources. Oiram has proved that HE has the resources to help his sister make those apps. He is bright--and I am making the assumption that his sister is bright as well. She obviously financially eligible for all kinds of help.</p>
<p>Frankly, arranging a scholarship to a boarding school is a hell of a lot less drastic than fighting a drug addled parent for custody and assuming parental responsibility as a new 18 year old freshman.</p>
<p>Sorry for the sight tangent, you guys. But how should I chose the place I will to for post-secondary education?</p>