Should I wait to go to college at this point? (very specific details inside, no dumb answers, please!)?

Question

I'm fresh out of high school. While I paid my tuition fees already, it's now the middle of July and I need to MOVE to go to college. I have no money for that and there's no job offers coming to me. My mother also hasn't completed my OSAP application yet. Would it be better for me to just give up at this point?

I come from a single parent family with 3 other siblings, so it's not like just because I want to go that my mother is going to say "Oh great, I'll give you some money to get you out there and on your way to school." No, she will say "You were irrisponsible and didn't get a job so you're not going." Even though I handed out resumes and tried to get a job!!!

She already said that if I don't go to school that I can't live at home any more either as well. Does this mean that I should just give up on going to college for a couple of years?

This has nothing to do with 'controlling my own life' since I haven't been out of high school for 2 years it's up to my mother to fill out my OSAP application. I can't get a job because I live in a small town, if you were an employer, would you want to hire someone for like 1 month too?

The fact is, I just don't have the money to MOVE the 3 hour drive it takes to attend that college and no closer colleges have that program.

My mother can't co-sign a loan because she doesn't have a full time job and my dad already signed a loan for my older sister to get her butt to college and being retired can't co-sign ANOTHER loan. My sister is now in university and probably will be for another couple of years THEN she will pay back her loans.

I paid my tuition, but there's the issue of books... I can't learn without books. And they're PRETTY expensive!!!

Answer 1

Just go.

Answer 2

If you have no other way at all to get the money then you may have to back off for at least this year... Make sure you really plan ahead for next year. Right now, if you can't come up with money at all I doubt you can sign up for a course at comm.college just to stay at home so I would say to really pound the pavement for ANY job you can scrounge which you'll need to get a place... Since you don't have to worry about school this year (in this scenario) you should have more flexibility and get more job offers. When you get settled in a place of your own (which should cost LESS than you can afford) start saving money for school. Just make sure you account living costs this time before you pay tuition! If you still have trouble finding your own place, try roommates to cut costs... And don't believe these people who say go now or you never will. That's ********! Most people who start a bit later know more of what they want to do in school, change majors less, and spend less in general! Are there any at-home jobs you've looked into? I live far out also and know work is hard to find... Seems like a lot of answerers aren't reading your details, sorry!

Answer 3

First of all, it's a shame about your situation. I was close to a similar one myself. Although you tried to get a job and so far had no luck, one solution would be to give up on college FOR THIS YEAR and keep trying to find work. Save as much of your earnings as possible so that you'll be better prepared for next year. It sounds like giving up, and it sorta is, but you've got to make the best of a bad situation. The problem is the temptation to stay out of school once you start making money, but college graduates make on average about 150% what non-grads make. Further adding to the danger of the temptation is that it's shown that staying out of school after graduation for more than 1 1/2 years or so has a marked negative effect on your college grades due to forgotten knowledge. It might be worth it to take some local community college classes just to stay sharp while you work whatever job you can find. One other possible solution, which I can't discount given the info you've given, is to apply at a bank for a private student loan, even though your OSAP application isn't yet finished. Interest is usually more killer, but it can help bridge the gap until you've either found a job or recieved government aid.

Answer 4

You need to go to your local library and ask for a FAFSA form or log on to http://www.FAFSA.gov and do a financial assistance form.You should qualify to get money from the gov't to go to school because your mom is single, and you have other siblings. All you need to complete the form is your mom's W2 form. Ask her for them. And they (the Gov't) have a 800 number for you to call if you need assistance filling the thing out. It is 1-800-4-FED-AID.
Once you do this talk with some relatives and tell them how you have been looking for work, and cannot find anything. Time is running out. All college Fall semesters start next month. Ask each member of the family if they can purchase something. Bed, Bath and Beyond has a sale going on now with college things up to 25 % -50% off! Do this now and get the FAFSA done because you aren't the only one applying, and it takes 6-8 weeks for your $ to come in.Ok? So don't give up on yourself, college or your dreams, and if that doesn't work- apply for scholarships @ http://www.fastweb.com


Good Luck.

Answer 5

If you put it off it will be harder to go back.

You seem like a very eloquent and intellegent person who is driven and looking forward to school.

If that is so, get your Mom's tax forms and finish the OSAP application yourself. Generally, a single parent's child will be able to get some funds from OSAP. Talk to a bank and get your mother to co-sign on a bank line of credit. (I'm at that point now and I'm terrified about it for some reason).

You can work parttime, but no matter what you'll be in debt. Relish the tim eyou have in university and worry about money only when you need to. Work hard next summer and try to get enough cash for tuition for the next year.

Responsible kids can handle debt, and you seem like one of them.

Good luck, and enjoy your time at school.

Answer 6

No, you shouldn't give up. If you've already paid your tuition and fees and can't get them back, you need to keep trying to find a job and talk to people at the university about financial aid possibilities. (I'm sure you qualify for quite a bit with your single parent, 3 siblings situation). If it comes down to it, you can definitely find a job at a fast food place. I had to work at McDonald's my freshman year, it sucked, but it paid my half of the rent.

Answer 7

Don't give up on your dreams!!!!!! NEVER!!!!!! Ask your college if they have some type of program will they will give you an apartment for a few months while you apply for a job. If you live in a big city, their Housing Authority may give you a reduced price apartment; however in housing complexes conditions aren't always so peachy. Good Luck! and let me know how it all works out. and yes, it will work out.

Answer 8

Serriously. Don't be stupid. So many people have done what you are thinking about. Don't.

Think about it. You would be worth far much more money after college than you would be without it.

Suck it up, and enjoy life. You're 18, time for you to run your own life.

=D

Answer 9

You might consider living at home and going to the local community college your first year.

Answer 10

On one hand you say you need to move to go to college but then you say your mom says you don't need to move if you go to college. Stay at home and go to school somewhere nearby for now, especially a junior college.

Answer 11

You defintely should go to college. Dont waste time!! things would resolved for u if u really strive for what u want.....dont be thinking what u dont have..start thinking of what u have and im sure its a lot bcs ur tution fees are already paid...So please just go and get ur education girl!!!