I have no clue what they’re thinking. They never went to college, and I’m a first-gen, so I’m probably getting screwed. They don’t care about my well-being anyways. I don’t have the family member option…
Ok; when you say this do you mean you are paying for more than 50% of your expenses including rent, utilities, food, etc?
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If they are, would that entitle @OnyxShimmer to additional financial aid?
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Not all of them because I’d be in a very bad financial position. I pay car insurance, internet, gas, etc. I have to buy my own necessities a lot.
I doubt it since I’m considered “dependent” financially
What are your total monthly expenses for the items above and what is your monthly income?
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A couple of things.
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You’ve gotten some excellent advice on this thread already. I’d reread it, more than once.
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Here’s an article where it talks about the conditions that need to be met to be considered independent for the FAFSA. Unless you meet one of the listed qualifications, then you might see whether you would qualify for a dependency override at either of the schools you’re considering (or any of the ones that accepted you…particularly if they meet full need).
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One hopeful note regarding your law school loans is that there are some programs for loan forgiveness for people working in public interest law. I’m not sure how extensive they are and what the qualifying terms are, but it’d be worth investigating if you do plan on law school.
The Maryland option that @collegemom3717 definitely sounds like it’s worth considering. Another option, which would definitely need to be the right fit for you as it isn’t for everybody, is joining the military. The GI benefits would cover your education, and you might even get the military to pay for law school and have you work in the military justice system for a certain number of years. Then you could either stay in (with great retirement benefits) or get out and be debt free. Or even looking into ROTC to pay for you while you’re in college and then joining the military after graduation.
ETA: Or what does the National Guard look like in your state? I’m pretty sure that in my state people who are in the National Guard or Reserves get free in-state tuition.
Also, here is an article on loan interest with calculators so you can see how much interest you would be paying on these loans (whether for Option A, B, or some other option that you come up with).
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My income is less than 1,000 a month. The expenses adds up to like 300-500. The gas, internet, and car insurance. I’m gonna be on my own soon. I’m getting kicked out so… 
I definitely qualify for dependency override, but what they ask for is ridiculous. I don’t have a social worker to write a 10 page paper on my abuse lol.
I cannot go to MD. Or anything like that. I don’t even talk to my extended family nor do I want to. I don’t want to talk to any of my family. None of them live out of state anyways.
I’m sorry, but I refuse to do the military. Not my thing, and I wouldn’t qualify due to my medical issues.
Thank you for the advice, but I’m just not gonna do something where I will be unhappy.
I am very sorry to hear this. Have you reached out to the schools you’re interested in for a dependency override? Have you spoken to your school counselor about writing something? Or a teacher? Has child and family services (or whatever the agency is called where you live) ever had to write a report?
And the military is not for everybody, so if you know it’s not for you then it’s good that you not enter. But I wanted to raise it up as a possibility if it was something you were not aware of.
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I was going to write a similar comment to @AustenNut Have you spoken to your HS counselor? Have you spoken to the schools about your financial situation, that your parents are going to throw you out after graduation? I am so sorry for your situation and wish you the best.
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I’m terribly sympathetic to your situation, so many barely adults having to figure out how to survive with no help. My suggestion to you is to re-evaluate everything. You must move out and be independent, that is the hard facts. How you achieve independence is negotiable. Instead of looking 6-7 years down the line look 1 year on. Is a 4-year college really right at this time? You have hardly any money and no support. Perhaps you should look for a shorter program to get a better paying job quickly then focus on going back to complete your degree. I’m a respiratory therapist, it’s still mostly a 2 year cc program and you make around $50,000/yr for regular staff anywhere in PA with the ability to make MUCH more in time. I’ve known lots of people who started in one field and continued on to another but didn’t starve doing it. Respiratory is just one option there’s tons of other programs that pay a living wage. You will accrue some debt at cc but nothing like a uni. You also don’t have to go to the cc in the area you live now. If you’re on your own look for a school in a different area and leave the toxic behind. Good luck and I wish you the best.
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I don’t know if this will work for you, but if expect to have to earn money for your own expenses, have you considered working for Target and taking advantage of their debt-free tuition program?
To get full tuition, you have to major in one of 250 business-related programs. You can major in anything and go into law, so maybe you can find one you like. And you have to choose from one of 40 schools, which might mean going somewhere you haven’t considered yet.
But you could still pursue your law school goal AND get it paid for — at least the undergrad part.
Just an idea. Target Launching Debt-Free Education Assistance Program to More Than 340,000 Frontline Team Members
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What about a paralegal certificate from community college? Maybe could be done while working elsewhere to support yourself, then work as a paralegal and if possible, after independent at age 24, get a degree and do law school?
I make good money as a legal secretary and office manager. And it would be great experience as far as working toward a law degree. Or you might find that you prefer staying at the paralegal level (less stress, possibly no student loans).
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I am interested in the override, but I don’t have anyone to write the letter unless I somehow get a therapist or social worker
I haven’t told them that, but I’d doubt they care unless I got the dependency override.
I haven’t spoken to my counselor, but then again, we aren’t close and she didn’t believe me about another social issue I once had so I don’t feel comfortable going to her anymore
I just feel like I’m gonna get stuck if I do that, that’s why I’m hesitant.
I’ll look into this. Target is hard to get hired at. They’re picky, but I’ll look into it. Thanks
I’m honestly afraid of getting stuck if I take that route
Target is a good idea.
I understand you are fearful of getting stuck, but you should also be fearful of the debt you are talking about. If your parents are kicking you out, are you sure they are going to co-sign loans for you? I think you are underestimating how difficult it will be to find a private loan source that will allow you to be the primary loan holder (all will require a co-signer).
Next, will your parents qualify to co-sign (or be the primary if that’s the case) that much in loans over 4 years?
Your parents will also need to fill out FAFSA (and CSS Profile if your school requires it) every year for you (undergrad) in order to access the federal direct student loans, Pell grant (if you qualify), and institutional aid.
Lastly if you have $100K in undergrad loans, it may be more difficult (and more expensive) to access loans for law school.
I encourage you to consider alternatives beyond the current two choices. You are in a difficult situation so hugs to you.
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