<p>I'm new, and I need some serious advice here. The thing is, recently the environment in my home is such that I no longer can function well emotionally or academically. One of my parents has had an abusive streak, more physical when I was young, to verbally abusive now that I'm in college. I have been thinking I should just "make a break" and try living on my own. This would mean paying for my private university education (an Ivy League college) alone also...this is about 40,000+ a year. I'm not sure what to do; I no longer want to come home for the breaks. My parents make enough such that I didn't qualify for financial aid. Is it possible for a student to pay for his or her private college tuition while handling a heavy courseload and other activities? Is there any government support or jobs I can take? Please, any ideas or suggestions would be welcome. Thanks and I look forward to learning through this forum!</p>
<p>-Also posted on Financial aid/ scholarships forum-</p>
<p>Yikes! If you are legally emancipated from your parents, I think you can apply for financial aid on your own and will be more likely to get money. You could also apply for some scholarships. This is a really huge step though. You have to consider things like housing during the summer and over breaks, insurance (you won't be on their plan anymore), paying your own taxes, buying things you need/want for yourself. Perhaps you could come to some sort of understanding with your parents where you pay for part of your education and stay with extended family and friends over breaks. They might understand your need to get out of that unhealthy environment. If not, I'm terribly sorry. No one should be subjected to abuse, be it physical or verbal. Do you have any family friends or aunts/uncles/grandparents you could talk to about this. They will likely know your situation and might be willing to help you out. Good luck! I hope everything works out for you.</p>
<p>Do you think that maybe you could get away with not being home much and them still paying? Take summer classes, do internships, study abroad, go on vacations with friends during breaks?</p>
<p>Have you tried talking to your other parent about this? They might be able to help you come up with a solution. Good luck with everything.</p>
<p>I did what OKgirl suggested, doing everything I possibly could to avoid going to see my parents. It kind of worked. It wasn't easy. I much prefer the situation I'm in now, where I don't have a relationship at all with the parent who is still alive.</p>
<p>If I were you, I'd go talk to the financial aid office and talk to them about it. They'll probably know whether you can qualify for anything and what you'll need to do to get it. I'd also look into taking out loans.</p>
<p>Good luck. You're in a difficult situation (as you know), and I hope you find a way to improve things.</p>