<p>my older daughter was eligible for wa state grant- but couldn’t be used out of state- of course that is where she went. ( To Reed, which does meet 100% of need, however they are need aware and difficult for admittance)</p>
<p>I advised high school students at her sisters inner city high school, many of whom didn’t consider college until junior year or later. So frustrating for everyone.</p>
<p>When students are first -gen, their families are not always involved/supportive of attending college & they may have family responsibilities which require them to remain geographically close through the transition to adulthood.</p>
<p>There are community colleges that are excellent and some even have dorms, I am currently attending EDCC which also has dedicated classrooms for WSU & CWU, which has new dorms and I have been very impressed with the instruction and caliber of students.</p>
<p>If students are on FRL, they should be able to get fee waivers for applications, however, be cautious re colleges which may award generous aid to attract freshmen, but do not provide enough to complete their degree without hardship.</p>
<p>rentof2- good for you! Though I am now 50something, I vividly remember the same talk at my high school, with numbers for how much college grads make in a lifetime vs non-college grads.</p>
<p>My son has a friend who had little financial support from parents to attend school. She went to a large state school, got grants and scholarships and worked 20-30 hours a week to support herself. It took her 7 years to get through school but she graduated with minimal debt. It is possible. Kids need to understand that their paths might be a little different from their peers. They will likely need to work. They may end up living in cheap apartments rather than the dorm. It may take them more than 4 years. But it can be done with planning and reasonable expectations.</p>
<p>It’s not really helpful now to say this, but this is an example of how divorce hurts kids. The wageearner supporting a wife and kids, and an EX-wife and kids…is stretched to the limit and can’t save for college.</p>
<p>And that’s even with the best of intentions towards the kids. Some families don’t even have college on the radar.</p>
<p>I deal with a lot of those families, mommusic. Not on the radar indeed, even with these very bright kids with good grades. I think a lot of these parents are just trying to get through their lives day by day, month by month, and not much beyond that.</p>
<p>And it’s not so much about money, as being involved enough with your kid to help them work out other paths, means, strategies, whatever when the money isn’t there. You’re not left with many option when you come in senior year looking for help.</p>
<p>The Center for Student Opportunity has a good website that not only lets kids know about opportunities but also organizations on individual campuses that help them stay in school. “an online national clearinghouse of admissions information and college programs concerning first-generation and underserved college-bound students” [Center</a> for Student Opportunity](<a href=“http://www.csopportunity.org/]Center”>http://www.csopportunity.org/)</p>