unsure about college...?

Question

I'm not sure about going to college or not. I'd like to... But I don't think I can afford it without going way into debt. My parents have money, but they've nearly disowned me--not because of me. It's a matter of mental illness, abuse and denial. My mother will tell people that she will. She's lying. She's nuts... No, he won't get involved either. They never follow thru--it's all just an act.

Anyway, I've learned I can't depend on them for even basics, let alone college. I'm basically living on my own out of their basement. I started my own web business back when I was too young to get a job and have saved everything I could. I have $6,509.

I'm 17, a junior in high school and I get all As and Bs. So I'm going to be on my own, and I don't know if I want to risk everything I've saved, you know? It's not going to be like I'm going to have them to fall back on.

For my goals, college isn't absolutely nessicary, but wouldn't hurt. But I'm scared I'll end up dead broke.

Answer 1

First of all finish High School. The money you have saved will only last you a semester on your own. That is paying rent, food, tuition. Look at a community college for your first two years. Most states will let you transfer into a four year university once you have your AA. Unless you have your own business, a college degree will add aroung 20K more a year than just a high school diploma. My advice is to take some of your savings (around $1000.00) and put it in a ROTH IRA and just keep turning it over. By the time you are ready to retire you will be very well off. Good luck.

Answer 2

Here is what I believe is optimal for you:

Go to a community college and get a two year degree while you pursue your goals. Community college is relatively inexpensive. If your goals do not fulfill you (which is not uncommon since most people change career paths several times in a lifetime), you will have all of your general ed classes out of the way and would be just two years away from a bachelor's degree.

Don't worry about being dead broke at this stage. As nice as accumulating wealth is at your age, too much focus on money can get in the way of positioning yourself for the most fulfilling life in the future. If your goals aren't everything you imagined they would be, don't be afraid to make some short term sacrifices to get a degree. Even if you have to get a student loan (and I am a very loan-averse person), the value of a college degree will dwarf the loan.

Have faith that if you make good decisions (even when the decisions can be difficult) in life you will ultimately be happier.

Answer 3

A lot of people have mentioned scholarships which, to be honest, is not very realistic. You can find $100 or $1000 here and there that way, but only about 2% of students are in college on scholarships, and with B's, you probably won't be eligible. Your best bet is to go to a community college. You may, as is the case with most students these days, have to work at least part-time to be able to pay for it and your expenses, but it is really pretty inexpensive. If you do well, you can transfer to a 4-year college later on. You say that for your goals college isn't absolutely necessary, but in most fields it makes it a lot easier. Trust me, it is worth it.

Answer 4

College will be absolutely essential to you, not being able to depend on anyone besides yourself for income in the future if you want to have any kind of self sustaining, well paying career.
Everyone in their lives will be "dead broke" at one time or another in their life.... best to do it while your in college with everyone else than when your 35, divorced, with 3 kids, and no skills to get a decent job.
In your case, student loan debt will prob be unavoidable... but it's okay. With a little planning, and a lot of research, you can graduate from college without the financial assistance from parents. You may end up taking out some loans... just don't go nuts.... remember schools vary greatly in cost, don't go out of state, dint go to a private school unless the total cost to you is less than a public one and you'll be okay.
Good luck... you will make it, just like I did.

Answer 5

how about a community college while you save up a little more and so you can save some money, and then transfer to a university junior year of college? that's what a lot of people do, and it works out quite well. I don't know what state you're in, but in CA, transfer students from community colleges get priority at state colleges and universities, so it's easy to switch. the only problem there is that you have to make sure you stay on track with what you need to accomplish, but it sounds like you have determination and smarts enough for a dozen people, so i'm sure you'll do great.

Answer 6

Look into your local technical college and sign up to take the LPN nursing course if you can hack it. Would you be willing to be a nurse for a while? Because that is a surefire career, takes 15months, and costs about $1,500 total including textbooks. You have to get on the waiting list to get in, and that could take up to a year, so you would need to get on the waiting list next year. Even if you dont' think you want it, just get on the waiting list and then when they call, just say you can't do it this semester, please keep you at the top of the list for next semester. that way, you don't completely toss out that idea, unless you absolutely know you can't do that kind of work.

You could also look into being a lab technician, again offered at some technical colleges.

Go to the website of your local technical college (trade school) and see what they offer. It's a cheap and wonderful way to get a trade doing something marketable, just to start you off so you can do that while you go to college to get a different kind of job.

Answer 7

i have the same problem. my mother is insane, and my father is an alcoholic. i can't depend on them for funds at all. i took out a large loan to pay for school, and now i'm very deep in debt. but i also know that i'll be able to pay it off, and that i made the right choice.

i say take the chance and go to college. you'll be in debt, but it's worth it. it's so, so worth it. nowadays, it's impossible to get a good job without a degree. just go for it. shoot high. everything will turn out. i'm right in the thick of things, and it's really, really hard, and i worry about money every single day. but i get by, and i'm confident that i made the right choice.

Answer 8

Unless you want to ensure that you live in poverty for the rest of your life, you need to go to college (and take your grades seriously).

Go to the financial aid office at both the nearest University & the nearest community college PRONTO, to get advice about financing your education.

Also, go to the FAFSA website.

If you don't go to college, you will (statistically speaking) end up more poor than if you borrow some money to go to college.

Number 1: absolutely, positively go to college!

Number 2: get the highest paying degree that you have the mental aptitude for!
For instance, if you have an aptitude for math, go for Chemical Engineering; highest paying Bachelor's degree in the U.S., so the data claims.
Similarly, don't settle for an English Literature degree if you are going to be borrowing money for your education; this is a sure way to be degreed and in eternal-debt.
However, if an English Lit' degree is the best that your mind can handle (not likely), it is better to borrow money to get an English Lit' degree than to have no college degree.

Go to College!!

Answer 9

I believe college is important in building a career and foundation. Take it one step at a time. While in College support yourself working in the College Cafe etc. It will help pay for tuition. Also go ook at the scholarship office, there are tons of scholarship out there. Apply a few if not a lot of them, really helps. But most of all college gives you exposure and structured learning and also maybe an exit for your current situation. take care and good luck

Answer 10

SAVE that money bro, all you gotta do is apply for some grant or federal student loan for college. The hell with or mom but still love her cause she brought you in this world. When you finish. There will be a big reward waiting for you, but it's gonna take awhile. Be the TURTLE and get a job. Trust me been THERE and DONE that.