Advice on moving out + possibly transferring

College Life
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Hi! I wanted to get some insight into my situation - I just started my freshman year at my local college and I’m still living with my parents, but I want to move out as soon as possible. All other things aside, I could move into the dorms at any time and have enough money from scholarships to pay housing fees, but my parents don’t want me to move out until at least sophomore year. My working plan is to wait until second semester to move out because by then I can sign the housing contract without my parents’ signature required. The biggest risk is they might try to take my car, but it’s a risk I’m willing to deal with if it arises because I mostly just want to be out of here.

I was also thinking about maybe transferring out of state next year, I don’t have anywhere specific in mind yet but I would love to leave the state at some point. I hesitate because I want to be able to support my younger siblings and I would be giving up a lot by leaving, including opportunities I don’t know if I could get as lucky with anywhere else, but I also think I would be much happier living somewhere else. Is this worth pursuing? Any other advice/thoughts?

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You note you have enough money from scholarships to pay for housing.

Is that money from the school or from a third party scholarship?

You need to ensure you have enough money to afford your school. Often, transfers get less or even no money.

So I think that’s an affordability question.

And don’t forget, there not just housing - but food.

Good luck to you.

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Sounds like a reasonable first step might be to move on campus at the school you know is affordable (be certain it will be affordable to live on campus) and where you can still help support your siblings. You can make a full life for yourself on campus even if your college is close to home.

There will be plenty of time after college to move out of state.

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I would suggest you be patient and move on campus next year for your sophomore year. Unless your parents change their minds.

You say you have enough money from scholarships to fund tuition, room, board where you are. Would you have enough to fund an out of state college? Transfers typically get less aid than entering freshmen.

At this point, demonstrate continually that you have the responsibility to live away from them. And still get your college work done. Get in loved in clubs etc at your college so that you have that in school circle of friends. Stay and study at the library. Sleep at your parents but make your life at your college.

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