My parents each make around $120,000 per year and my biological father who will get factored into college payment even though he hasn’t been a part of my life for 11 years will be factored in as well with an income above both of my parents. The problem is that they aren’t going to pay a dime of college tuition as they want to reinforce me working for things that I want which has been a part of my whole life as I got a job at 16 and work 25 hrs a week as well as go to high school. I also buy my own things etc. Unfortunately while this sounds like a good life lesson, I’m worried about being able to pay for college and probably having to go to a substandard school to get better deals. My GPA is 3.7 and ACT is 32. How will I fare?
Parents are first in line to pay for college. Unfortunately, when they were your age it was much more feasible to work your way through college. But college costs have risen far faster than wages. You might Google to try to find some articles on this. You are right to assume you will not get need based aid. Your stats are low for large merit aid.
Look at the cost of your in-state flagship and go over that with them. Ask if they can cover part of that. Are there any 4 year schools in commuting distance? Look at those as well. What if you live at home and attend CC for two years, then transfer – will they help some with those last 2 years?
You can take out federal loans yourself ($5,500 a year freshman year, and only a little more each subsequent year).
Are you a HS junior or senior?
If you are a senior…where did you apply?
You will probably need to look at merit aid options based on your grades and scores.
What state do you live in?
No you are not screwed, but your path will be harder than many kids who come from families who earn what yours does. The blessing is that your path is much easier than kids who come from families who struggle on a fraction of what even one of your parents makes.
You have a pretty decent GPA and test scores, and the fact that you’ve done this well while working at a job 25 hrs a week is a feather in your cap. Many selective colleges fall all over themselves as they explain that a part-time job is as valid an EC activity as participating on any sports team or club. But since fewer HS kids are employed nowadays, you will stand out for admissions purposes.
While your parents have said they aren’t going to commit to paying for your college at this point, which is entirely their decision, perhaps you can help explain to them that you may need to defer college until you are 24, since you won’t be able to afford it on your own, and schools will not look at you as an independent until then.
I suggest one good way to address this issue with them is to start by thanking them for raising you to be so independent, and for them teaching you how to make good decisions - by getting informed first. Tell them you appreciate everything they’ve done for you financially, and you know they want you to succeed. Then add how you appreciate the fact that they are treating you like an adult, because this is your decision, your future, but you also appreciate the fact that they are there to support you as you go through this process, which from what you can tell is so different from what they went through. They taught you that life involved continuous learning, and you are glad that they will be there to help you through the process in whatever way they can.
Its not sucking up to them, but it can be a way to get their attention in a positive manner. It can be hard for them to be reminded that they have to keep learning as the rules are changing, and to be reminded that you are not a little kid anymore. But it will be easier for them to listen to what you learn, and to treat you as an adult, if you thank them for already doing it. When you throw in questions like “is everything in life this hard?” it puts them in a position to show you still need them, but you are grateful for sharing their life lessons.
You might start by not thinking schools are substandard.
You aren’t going to get need based financial aid. You can qualify for merit aid.