<p>Academically, I am not outstanding. Above average, maybe. I have tons of leadership and I am middle class.
However, we have a mortgage to pay for a house we don't even live in, and so, so much debt from Home Depot, haha (we just moved into a new house).
Thus, we have NO money whatsoever.
My parents both work above-average paid jobs.</p>
<p>I am not poor enough get lots of financial aid, and my grades are not as brilliant as I'd like them to be. What can I do?</p>
<p>If your parents both have above average income jobs, then you do have money. It might be spent and fully allocated to a variety of uses, but those are choices in how the money is spent. There is a difference between having no money, and spending lots of money on lots of things, like houses you don't live in.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Sit down with your parents and let them know your college aspirations and typical costs for various public and private colleges that you aspire to attend.</p></li>
<li><p>Ask them what they can reasonably afford out of income and savings towards your college costs. With two above average incomes and the savings and debt that can support, they should be able to afford to send you to school. But it's a choice and a matter of prioritization that is up to them to decide.</p></li>
<li><p>Ask them whether the home you don't live in is viewed as a retirement asset or as something that can be sold to pay for your schooling.</p></li>
<li><p>Identify schools that you can both afford and be accepted to based on how your parents respond. This could be the State U.</p></li>
<li><p>Consider a part time job to save for college.</p></li>
<li><p>Consider community college if things don't work out otherwise. It is an inexpensive way to get some requirements out of the way before tranferring to a 4 year school.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Your profile says you're from Maine? Do you like the University of Maine? I know they have several campuses with the main one in Orono. I'm a big Stephen King fan, I wonder if they have a course on his books there? My daughter really liked the brochure they sent her but she doesn't do well in the cold.</p>
<p>There was such a course in the English dept (where King studied as an undergraduate), but I'm not sure how often it's taught. Also, Stephen and Tabitha King have given money to the University of Maine for scholarships and for hiring faculty in non-science fields. They are wonderful folks who never put their name on all their gifts to the community.</p>
<p>One other idea. I know it's old school, and that college costs have escalated, but it is still possible to work your way through school if your parents aren't willing to allocate sufficient resources.</p>
<p>For example, let's say State U costs $18,000/year.</p>
<p>You could make it work as follows:</p>
<p>Student Loan: $4,000</p>
<p>Part time job: $10,000</p>
<p>Parent contribution: $4,000</p>
<p>Keep in mind you are probably costing your parents at least $300-$400/month in food, utilities, and other miscellaneous fees.</p>
<p>To do this, you may need to work an average of about 30 hours/week, which isn't ideal, but it is possible, especially if you take the lightest class load possible and put yourself on the 5 year plan.</p>
<p>No, there's no income cut off to qualify for aid, kayleealia. The FAFSA is based on quite a bit more than your parents income alone, and doesn't care if you've got a 4.0 GPA. I'd fill out the FAFSA, and check with the financial aid administer at your school, as well as checking with the higher education agency run by your state.</p>
<p>You'll probably need to go to an in state public. For financial reasons, you may want to start college at a 2 year in state college while living at home, and then transfer to an instate public.</p>
<p>I checked out the stats you listed on another post, and I think the above is your most realistic option. A 3.0 average and projected SAT scores around average isn't going to get you into colleges that offer excellent financial aid, and those stats won't get you merit aid.</p>
<p>Even with following this suggestion, you'll still have to work and take out some loans. That's typical for college students. The average college student takes out a total of $17 k to cover their college education.</p>