<p>My son's friend is in a very difficult and sad situation. A bright girl - 2200 SATs and an aspiring doctor - her parents refuse to pay for, or help her pay for college. She would not qualify for need based aid, as her family is well off and able to pay. They will not co-sign loans. I do not know all of the details of the situation, but they seem to want her to stay home, go to community college, and help out with her younger siblings. This attitude is so foreign to us and everyone we know that we don't know how to advise her. We have recommended that she speak to her school counselors, but thus far she has no good solution. What options does she have? Any suggestions?</p>
<p>She is in quite a position. I don't know what all it takes to become dependent, but she should research that and work towards being considered a dependent, in which case she may receive better FA. Either way, it seems like things are a bit late and she may have to settle for a community college or cheap local school for now. All is not lost though: if she can work towards showing schools what is going on in her life and manage to be dependent, she should be able to transfer into a good school and receive money. As sad as this is to hear about, I think these are the "special circumstances" schools like to see in their transfer applicants and she will fare well in the future.</p>
<p>If she is a junior and extremely bright, she should look into schools with full ride scholarships.</p>
<p>I think brand_182 maybe meant "independent". I think that usually involves being on your own for at least one year prior to college. I was an independent student, but I entered college at age 20, after leaving home at age 18.</p>
<p>ah yes thank you for that. :)</p>
<p>she really is stuck -- and it is too late in the application cycle if she is a senior to find merit aid to pay for college.</p>
<p>she could take a gap year and help around the house -- maybe her parents would agree to pay then. Otherwise, she could apply next year understanding that no money is coming from her parents and aim for 2nd and 3rd tier schools that will give her merit aid. rotc and service academies are other options (they always need doctors in the military)</p>
<p>otherwise, attending the CC and doing well is her only option.</p>
<p>she will not qualify for independent status until she turns 24 unless she marries, has a child, serves in the military or her parents both die.</p>
<p>I don't think special circumstances are going to apply to her since her parents are willing to cover her expenses if she stays at home and does the community college route. 2200 Sats are impressive but does she neccessarily need to go to a 4 year? Community college / transfer will cut down on expenses in order for her to afford medical school. Add up the costs/loans and its devastating to think that someone can owe/spend that much before starting a career.</p>
<p>I agree with that statement. If her parents simply want her to go to a CC for a year or two and then are willing to pay for college, that is understandable though sad as she'll be missing out on half of her college experience. As a student with very similar test scores that has attended a CC for two years, this story is somewhat personal to me, though my parents were not restrictive and I made the decision on my own. Life is not over for her, especially if she is such a bright girl.</p>
<p>moonmaid -- independent status requirements have changed significantly. It used to be easier -- but no longer.</p>
<p>you must be 24 or married or have a child or have completed a bachelor's degree or served in the military or be an orphan.</p>
<p>there is an option where students can qualify as an independent student under special and unusual circumstance -- this is not a kid whose parents don't want to pay. It is generally used for students whose parents are incarcerated, are in a long-term physically abusive situation that can be documented or parents that have abandoned the student.</p>
<p>if the student is a junior -- she does have some options. she will just need to tailor her college application list to schools where she can get excellent merit aid.</p>
<p>Thanks for your replies, as glum as the situation is. She is, unfortunately, a senior. I know that she has explored some possibilities, and with no good answers at this point, she is planning to go to CC. My son is very upset by this story, and perhaps the only good thing to come out of this is that he really is beginning to appreciate all that we do for him.</p>