<p>Getting federal work study, many grants, and loans depends on your dad cooperating to fill out the financial aid forms. Possibly complicated by the fact that at some schools your mom will have to report finances as well, depending on the college. It will be very, very difficult to fund your college without his cooperation. I would suggest that you sit down with him and make a list of colleges to visit and consider that you can both agree on. Ask him to help you run the net price calculators for those schools and the FAFSA calculator as well.</p>
<p>Realistically… you are probably going to have to put up with the things that are bugging you now to reach your goals in the long term. The less you fight with him now, the more cooperative he may be when it comes time to (1) help with the paperwork for college, (2) possibly pay some of your college expenses, and (3) agree for you to go to a college where you do not live at home. </p>
<p>While I would agree that some of his behaviors sound very controlling and likely things my daughters would balk at, I also can see why he may have some concerns about your major/career choice. I think it is a tough field to break into… if one of my kids wanted that major, I would be having some serious conversations with them about finding a job in their field and their long term ability to pay back any loans they take out.</p>
<p>Here is one more thing… parents want to feel needed. Honestly, try a little honey instead of vinegar with him if you can. Let him know how much you appreciate what he does for you and how he watches out for you. He is going to have to let go eventually, and I am sure he knows that. If you can make him feel good about your relationship with him and like you appreciate him, you might have better luck getting him to compromise and help/say yes to some of the things you want to do.</p>
<p>Oh, my kids didn’t drive until they were 17. Both took driver’s ed that year, and got their licenses fall of their senior year of high school. The high cost of auto insurance AND concerns about their maturity/ability to handle a car safely played into that decision. Neither objected. Lots of kids do not drive until after 16 these days.</p>