What to do when parents can afford to pay, but refuse to do so

<p>My parents theoretically have enough money to pay for college, but they refuse to do so. I'm wondering what options I have besides seeking massive scholarships or suffering huge debt. I guess financial aid is out of the question?</p>

<p>Haven't you asked them why they don't want to pay? Does this include state schools that might be relatively inexpensive? Are they college graduates, and if so, who paid for their education?</p>

<p>Work, work, work, and work. That's how I did it--I graduated from a state university with no debt. But that was in an earlier era, when list price was cheaper. On the other hand, today most universities in the echelon of my alma mater have a LOT more "merit" aid than they used to have. Harvard may be unavailable to you if your parents refuse to pay their share of the EFC. If so, you have my ABUNDANT sympathies as one who was there and did that, but at least you have other possibilities for getting a college education.</p>

<p>My mom's parents were wealthy but divorcing at the time of her admission to college so she had to take out loans. The parents remarried and my mom got stuck with the loans. She always said that she was penalized because they were wealthy and penalized because they chose to keep it for their new lives ( new marriages and children)
If the loans grants and scholarships are meant to help they should understand all situations!</p>

<p>Yeah, financial aid is generally out of the question. It's not out the realm of possibility, but Harvard and pretty much every other college's approach is that if you parents can afford it, they should pay a proportion of the cost. If they don't want to, then it's an issue for your family.</p>

<p>You don't mention, and I'm sure you don't want to detail on a public board, the reasons why your parents won't pay for your college education. Perhaps you should try tackling those issues before looking at crippling yourself with huge debt.</p>

<p>tupac:</p>

<p>If you are a Harvard caliber student, then there are many fine Universitities that may give you huge merit aid. Before you start applying, have a realistic and honest talk with your parents and prepare a game plan. As nick said, your parents refusal to pay is not a ground for financial aid. This may sound unfair to you. But if colleges made exemption for you, every parent in the country would play that game.</p>