<p>^^^</p>
<p>Agree. Barring some unknown reason (such as med bills or such), there are some parents who operate under the assumption that college can be paid for by working part-time (like perhaps they did it). Things have changed; that can’t be done like the past. College costs have far outstripped inflation. I used to be able to pay my quarterly fees by using about 2-3 weeks salary from a part-time job during the school year. Now, it costs over $2k per quarter. A student can earn that much in a few weeks. </p>
<p>Also, some parents never went to college, and don’t see the purpose. Or, some have committed themselves to a lifestyle (nicer home, nicer cars, etc) that “eat up” their income. Lastly, some are worried that their kids will party so much and drop out which would be a waste of money.</p>
<p>What I’m hoping is this… </p>
<p>The OP will have the stats to get some great merit money. Then he can figure how much he can realistically earn working summers and very part-time during the school year. He may have to take out a small loan. Then his parents will see that they need to “kick in” some bucks to make it all happen.</p>
<p>However, to get that loan, his parents do need to do FAFSA, even if they aren’t contributing one cent. FAFSA doesn’t obligate anything.</p>