Alright so I’m 21 years old going on 22. My parents mindset is you work hard and earn a salary get married have kids and then retire. They never finished school. They are making me feel terrible every time I sign up for even 6 units at my community college because I have to ask them for help. They say I should be working full time and helping them out. I can’t stand the negative energy anymore they fight all the time and I just feel like if I don’t get out of this environment soon I’ll go crazy. My friend went to this community college and told me they have on campus housing/ food plans. The whole traditional college experience. They have study abroad programs for summer and a great transfer rate for my major. I want to go here. I don’t really have anything left here anyways I have a couple friends but most are gone in the military or UC’s by now. Girlfriend and I just split so now what? I guess I’m sort of ranting here but you get the idea. I want to better myself in my future and finally put my efforts into something that will benefit me in every way. I want a fresh start.
I did the math and I’m going to be in debt about $15,000 just by earning my 2 year general ed. I’ll be in about $38,000-$40,000 (More if I study abroad) by the time I graduate. I don’t think that is that bad considering I know exactly what I want to do and feel it will pay itself back.
I feel like I’m getting older and this is my prime to enjoy myself and explore and better myself. Do I really want to stay at home with my parents for another two years just to save a couple years on my mortgage years down the line?
Also I know their are a list of a couple community colleges with on campus housing and similar programs in my state which I might consider.
Can you not rent an apartment near a community college in your state? It sounds like you’re in California. College of the Sisikiyous (sp?) has on campus housing, and is extremely cheap albeit extremely isolated. Other community colleges are in college towns or near large state universities including SBCC (high CoL), Cuesta College, Fullerton College, Berkeley City College, etc.
Yeah I’m in CA. Siskiyous looks amazing. I think I might be sold on that.Btw do you think it would be weird for me to share a room being 22 with a possible 18 year old?
You will pay out of state rates in the situation you describe. You can’t be independent for residency until you are 24. Then you have to live in a state a full year before you are eligible for in state tuition. Find a roommate situation and take advantage of the low CA CC tuition rates. Good luck.
Why in the world would you pay OOS rates for CA? Even if you got in-state rates for CC you might not for a four year college.
I believe these are the California CCs with dorms.
http://www.cccco.edu/CommunityColleges/CollegeHousing.aspx
However, most taditional aged community college students, if they don’t live with family, rent an apartment or room, usually close to the CC.
I decided to go with a CA cc. Why would 2 years in a CC not get me into a four year?
There is a pathway in place for admission to CSU’s after you complete an Associate’s degree at a CC:
http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/Students/AssociateDegreeforTransfer.aspx
As I read his comments, the OP is in CA now. Butte College might be another option. Chico is a pretty cheap place to live, especially as you get a few miles from Chico State. As far as rooming with an 18 year old - A traditional dorm is probably not a good fit - and dorms are expensive and you are much older than the other students.
https://chico.craigslist.org/apa/4994869129.html
https://chico.craigslist.org/apa/4958553554.html
You can rent a room, sharing a house/apt with other students for less than $400 a month. Food and other expenses will be less than $300. A dorm bed with meal plan at Chico State is nearly $11k/yr.
The Sacramento area has several CCs, as well as Sac State and UC Davis. You could easily split an apartment like this one near Sac State for a similar cost. https://sacramento.craigslist.org/apa/5015036961.html
Redding and Weed are also options, with similar cost of living but, not nearly the concentration of students.
It sounds like you’ve already got some units under your belt so, perhaps one year at a CC then transfer to a CSU for 2 more years.
If you are no longer a dependent, you may also qualify for financial aid. Working part time is also an option.
You are in a tough spot, i wish you well.
So I ended up applying for sisikyous in norcal. I mean I’m I’ll just be turning 22 will I be the creepy old guy. They said they can room me with someone older.
Creepy will depend on you…
In freshman dorm at a 4 year school, you’d be old. At a rural CC like Siskyou but, there will be lots of students that didn’t go to college straight out of high school.
Congrats and good luck.
I’m sorry that second sentence didn’t make sense.
Freshman dorm at a 4 year school, all the kids will be 17-19 years old. You will probably feel old int an environment like that.
Students living on/near a more rural CC campus like Siskyou are frequently a bit older and allowed some time to pass before deciding college is for them. I don’t think your age will stand out as much in an environment like that. You can call and ask what the average age of on-campus residents is.
I dormed at a private 4-year university when I was 23. Not everyone who came from out of state could find a place to live in town, so many upperclassmen lived on campus. I didn’t feel old, but I didn’t go around asking how old people were or announcing how old I was either. If I were you I’d just enroll, go about your business, and not even worry about it.