How Can I Pay For College Without My Parents' Help?
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A scholarship has nothing to do with how much money you have. A scholarship is based on your grades. Since you have a 3.2 GPA, I think you have a good chance of getting a scholarship or 2.
Also, even though you are under 18, you can take out loans for educational purposes. If you are in college, now, you need to talk to a fin aid advisor. If you are still in High School, you need to talk to the guidance counselor there so you can apply for the scholarhship.
Don't give up that easily. First, apply and get accepted, then immediately talk to the schools financial aid department. You'll be amazed at the number of student loans that are available in additon to student jobs (Universities love to give students campus jobs). Also, start spending some time with your H.S. guidance depatment - apply for scholarships! Some are somewhat random in nature, and are NOT income dependent. If you can't swing full time university - go the community college route. You can save big bucks by going to an accredited community college for a couple of years (check to verify courses can be transferred).
Keep digging - there's more money out there than you think!
You are eligible to borrow your own student loans through the government- Stafford loans. Lenders such as Citibank administer them but you qualify and accept them through your college's financial aid office. I am sorry you find yourself in this situation because it does seem that in the financial aid process they take into account your parents' income and assets even if they will not give you a dime for college. But the earning potential of a college graduate is still higher than a high school graduate. Look into "unique" scholarships such as essay contests or scholarships based on perhaps ethnic heritage or for a student that fits certain criteria (for instance some alumni associations give out scholarships to students from their old elementary or junior high schools). The other option is to start at a junior college which is considerably cheaper, then spend 2 years there, work hard, and when you transfer to a 4 year school your grades and academic history will probably enable you to earn scholarship and grant money on your own. Lastly, you can always work to pay your way through school- honest hard work never hurt anyone and you can be sure you are contributing to the best cause you can- your future!
Do what the rest of us did. Get a job and go at night and on the weekends fulltime. Take some online.
I would have your parents agree to let you live there and feed you will you go to work/school to help you out.
You can be on the school payment plan and pay as you go.
I would start ASAP. Take one course now if possible.
Its cheaper to start at the community college and transfer into a university for the last two years of the degree. By that time you will be able to get some grants and your own loans.
Jr college, then local higher education resources. Correspondence, depending on the field you want.
If you haven't totally screwed up your believability with your parents, hit them up for a loan. With a payback after five years
First off, you do not know what you qualify for until you try. I work in Financial aid for a community college and know all to well some people are eligible who think they may not be. Being white has nothing to do with anything. Perhaps your attitude is what is stopping you from getting money. There is a great website called fastweb.com. This lists thousands of scholarships. It takes time to go thru them, but worth it.
Fill out the FASFA, and yes you do need your parents information. There is some bad advice floating here about FASFA. Yes you DO need your parents information until you are 24. Unless your parents are dead, incarcerated or you have legal emancipation you can NOT skip filling out the parents portion of the FASFA. Once you hit 24 you may skip the parents portion, but not before. You may be surprised to find not only do you quality for some government money but also grants. Do not assume because you are white and your parents have money there is no help for you.
Could you get an academic scolarship?
You could get a job. I do these research studies that give you investigational drugs for money. They pay you thousands and thousands of dollars you could do that. I know a lot of people who do them to pay for college.
Here's a site:
http://gpgp.net/
There are many scholarships that are not based on financial need. Also, your parents may not need to co-sign for you to get student loans.
Go to your local library and look for a book on scholarships or go to www.fastweb.com. Apply for as many scholarships as you can.
Think about going to a community college and working to pay for it. If you live at home and commute to community college, it shouldn't cost too much. Around me it's about $1,500 per semester. You can make that much in a summer job.
After you have proven that you will work hard and not waste the money spent on college, your parents may change thier minds and help you to pay for a university for the final 2 years.
When you turn 18, go for student loans. I know that sounds like forever, but it will happen. Until then, work, save up some money, and build up good credit.
Well, it doesn't sound like you have a lot of options. Unless you get married or have a dependent child, your parents income must be reported when filing a FAFSA and that will be the case until you are 24. But file a FAFSA anyway, just to see what you might get.
Also, look for scholarships. Sign up www.fastweb.com and search for scholarships that may apply to you. The school you choose to go to may also have scholarships you can apply for. Ask them.
You will probably have to get a job and work your way through college. Taking a year off after high school to work full time might be a good idea if you are willing to save every penny for college.
You could also ask your parents for a loan (which you will pay back, of course),
And of course, try not to choose an expensive school. Starting out at a local community college would be the most cost-effective way to get an education. After a couple years there, you can see about transferring to a larger school. You can also use your time at a community college to earn better grades, because most transfer students are never asked for their high school GPA or test scores.
There are some scholarships that aren't based on grades or financial need. I've seen a few on Scholarships.com. Some require you to write an essay and there are even a couple that are for the creative types (Flash movies, drawing contests, etc.)
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