<p>I have a fairly unique financial situation that I'd like to share. I'm not sure what the best thing to do is or what I'm eligible for exactly so let me explain:</p>
<p>I just completed 2 years at a good public college but my grades went from fair to horrible and my GPA is around 1.5. My High School grades and SAT scores were above average however and I've managed to get into another good public college as a freshman, starting in August. My college grades suffered from having to work a full time job in addition to a part time job for several semesters. My parents make an income of about $350,000 a year so financial aid was out of the question... but my parents refused to give me more than a couple hundred dollars to pay for school. I dont know about their personal finances other than their income but they told me they are trying to pay off a lot of debt and can't afford anything for me at all. I applied for many scholarships and got a merit-based one that covered about half of tuition, but I had to live on-campus because of the schools distance from our house. I lost this scholarship after my first year of school because my GPA was too low (was often working 60 hours a week at minimum wage). </p>
<p>During my first year of college communication with my parents deteriorated and we cut off our ties. They even moved to a new house, although this had already been planned. I knew the city where the new house was but not the address and don't have my parents cell phone numbers anymore. I'm an only child with no other family except in eastern Europe that i have no idea how to contact. I filed my taxes as a dependent. I made about $18,000 and used my apartment addresss but according to FAFSA I'm still an independent unless I can prove that i have no way of contacting my parents. So in order to get financial aid to help pay for school I have the option of trying to declare that I don't know where my parents are and have no way of contacting them, but I don't know how i would prove this exactly. If im unable to prove this then I get no financial aid and have to work full time again. I also have the option of trying to contact my parents. If i really wanted to talk to them again i could probably locate the house they moved to with some difficulty, but even then they wouldn't contribute to my college bills. That seems like a poor option. </p>
<p>Another issue is that my school tuition cost is only a couple thousand dollars but rent expenses at college are about $4000 a semester with an apartment off-campus being a little cheaper at $600 a month where i stay now. After tuition and board expenses, the other money i make i use to purchase food, books, gas, and small personal expenses. If the college tuition is only a few thousand then would I even get any financial aid with my income? I don't think I'm capable of working full time through college while keeping my grades up but I could easily work part-time. I'm really not sure what to do and any assistance would be great</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation several decades ago. I finally bit the bullet and left college, and returned when I was 24 and independent.</p>
<p>The world did not come to an end. I grew to an adult, and stopped being angry at my parents. I finished my degree and an MBA. I’ve had corporate jobs and now run my own company. </p>
<p>Given that your GPA is heading for the cellar, you might want to make a graceful exit now, rather then flunk out later.</p>
<p>Some times parents are dinks, but they are still family. Love them for who they are, take some time to grow up and grow a little distance from them. Breathe</p>
<p>Work full-time, attend school part-time. There is no law that says you have to have the “college experience” of living on campus, going to school full-time, and drinking at the frat house.</p>
<p>If you haven’t already gotten all of the starter “core” courses out of the way – and with a 1.5 GPA, I’m guessing you haven’t – attend a community college part-time and concentrate on taking those courses. </p>
<p>You can do this! Do it steadily, course by course, and though the road seems long now, the time will pass.</p>
<p>To have originally filed FAFSA with parent’s that make $350K and then suddenly lost contact with them will probably not fly. Many parents don’t contribute to their kid’s education. You’ll probably need to do what Olwice suggests until you’re 24.</p>
<p>I also recommend working full time and going to school part-time. Look for jobs that provide some financial help for college. Start with one or two classes a semester so that you can get your GPA back up. In a few years, you’ll have a nice amount saved for school, only your income will count and you’ll be prepared to tackle a full time course load.</p>
<p>Are you female? If so, and if you don’t mind attending a liberal arts college, you might consider working until 24 and then applying to top women’s colleges. Many of the Seven Sisters offer special programs and support for non-traditional students; and you will graduate with a stellar education. That might be an option if you really want a traditional residential experience. Otherwise, try to work things out with your public college to attend part-time.</p>
<p>I agree that you should work full time & attend school part time. A community college is a good bet for the basics. We have a wonderful one in our area that really does prepare students for their final 2 years at even our excellent state flagship U. There is more than one road to travel - and this would be a good one. </p>
<p>Few aid offices would allow you to be considered independent based on what you have told us. It’s certainly an unfortunate situation, for sure. However, it’s not something aid officers would be likely to use as a basis for professional judgment to make you independent - you could certainly try, and you might succeed - but it really sounds like you might be better off to do part time for now. When you turn 24, you will be independent & can apply for aid using your own info.</p>
<p>I went to grad school full time, and worked 36 hours per week. I was able to maintain A’s and B’s at a top tier school. You seem like a fairly intelligent person. There is no reason, other than bad judgment, to have a 1.5 GPA. You should have realized a long time ago that the status quo is not working. If I had to work 60 hours a week, I would not take a full load.</p>
<p>While getting through college may be your #1 priority, getting through with a 1.5 GPA isn’t going to help you. Thus, you must accept your #2 priority (paying your bills), and do what you can with your #1 priority (go to school part time at best). There is no magic potion that will solve your problem at this time. Had you been a graduating HS senior, you might have been able to find a lower rated school and received a full ride.</p>
<p>I apologize if I seem harsh. My point is that you need to accept your situation and make the best of it. At least you don’t have the added burden of supporting your parents/family.</p>