<p>I don’t understand why several posters are encouraging the OP to pretend to be ok with the father’s abuse in order to get money out of him. That strikes me as rather unethical - not toward the father, who IMO doesn’t deserve any consideration whatsoever, but I don’t think anyone should be encouraged to live a lie for financial gain. </p>
<p>A college education is the only way in this country to be prepared to make a living wage, unless you happen to be one of the fortunate few who are talented with their hands and can become excellent carpenters or electricians, etc. This is why most European countries provide a huge amount of financial support to students, and that should be the case in the United States as well.</p>