<p>Because of some major conflicts in my house, I basically been disowned. My family i giving me till the summer to leave and i will have to find housing and yea some way to get to Alabama too (live in Northern Ohio). I’ve never had a job before and I’ve never lived on my own. With my scholarship package at Alabama(National Achievement Finalist), what should I start doing? </p>
<p>--------------Scholarship Package-----------------
* Value of tuition in-state or out-of-state for 4 years
* 4 years of on-campus housing at regular room rate* (based on assignment by Housing and Residential Communities)
* $1,000 per year University National Merit/Achievement Scholarship for 4 years
* One time allowance of $2,000 for use in summer research or international study (after completing one year of study at UA)
* Laptop computer**</p>
<p>Can you try to enroll for some summer courses or get a summer research position either at Alabama or ANY other school that will provide housing for you until school starts? That might be cheaper in the long run for you than trying to find a month to month rental place(security deposits are not cheap) and a fully furnished place will cost more too. If you have any kind of credit, you could try an extended stay hotel. What about Craigslist to rent a room in someones home? That might be the cheapest way to go. Can you try to be a livein nanny in someones home for the summer? That would be even better. Good luck</p>
<p>You should get a part-time job starting right now. Save as much money as you can so that you can pay for your bus ticket to college, and so that you can pay your living expenses for the summer before college starts.</p>
<p>Get in touch with the financial aid office and admissions office at your college, and let them know what is going on in your family. Ask them if they can help you out with a summer job and housing. Maybe they can shift your enrollment date forward, and you can start in the summer session. They may be able to recommend a retired professor who can rent you a room near campus.</p>
<p>The admissions officers, and financial aid officers, at your college have seen and heard everything before. If they really, truly, want you to be able to attend, they will be able to help you figure out how to do so.</p>
<p>You could also go on any kind of message boards for incoming or current Alabama students. See if there are others from your area, or who would pass through your area, driving down for the school year. You could perhaps get a ride and either pay some portion of the gas or offer some other service in exchange.</p>
<p>I know that if I were the mom/dad of another freshman, taking him/her down for Orientation and beginning of school year I would be happy to take you… and expect nothing in exchange.</p>
<p>Make sure you have your Social Security Card, passport and a certified copy of your birth certificate. If you are from Ohio, it will be a lot of effort to get a birth certificate from out of state in Alabama.</p>
<p>Make sure whether your scholarship provides insurance.</p>
<p>So long as you don’t mess up your college arrangement, try to get work now in HS asap so you have funds for when summer comes.</p>
<p>You might consider contacting Alabama and see if there is a live in nanny position with any of the professors. Google the chain fastfood companys and search for Alabama local restaurants near campus. Contact them about possible employment.</p>
<p>Do you have any living grand-parents? Some time grand-parents are there for a grand-daughter when the parents aren’t. Even if the GP can’t help financially, they can be a sourse of advice and comfort. Also, are you tight with any HS teachers or the GC’s? You might explain your situation and see what they suggest. It might be that they could get you in touch with someone in the faculty at Alabama.</p>
<p>My niece’s evil step mother kicked her out of the house when she turned 18 (with over a semester of HS left to go.) Her mom, my parents and I all subsidized her rent while she was in HS. One thing she did that you might consider: She dropped all ECs and got a job waitng tables. She had already been admitted to college and certainly any school would understand the lack of ECs due to the circumstances.</p>
<p>Are you a member of a church? Go talk to the folks at your church there in Ohio. The church may have congregations in Alabama who could give support and/or provide connections.</p>
<p>Ivay, absolutely, I am (thank god) no longer in the looking for a nanny world, but there is a position for everyone. Just be honest, and say what you have to offer. Swimming, sports, helpingwith studies.</p>
<p>My Ss absolute favorite babysitter was a boy; I always thought my youngest could have made a mint at the job. Many families need summer childcare (sometimes live-in) while the kids are out of school and parents are working; see if there is job placement center at the school. I would recommend that you look into the Red Cross certification program (now), which would teach you child CPR, first aid, and other skills that would make you a desirable sitter.</p>
<p>I worked my way through college - so I’ve been there done that…</p>
<p>I think the key to my survival was a series of restaurant jobs. I had some experience from high school and that really paid off when it was time for college. Restaurant jobs, particularly cooking jobs, are relatively easy to find, pay more than minimum wage once you have some skills, and you normally get at least one free meal. </p>
<p>Being a nanny poses the problem if you don’t get along with your employer, you lose not only your income but also your residence.</p>
<p>Where in Northern Ohio do you live? There are parents on this thread from several locations in Northern Ohio.</p>
<p>Also, a girl who graduated from my kids’ NE Ohio H.S. is a freshman at Alabama this year; we can get you talking to her on facebook; she may be able to help you find the other Ohio kids at Alabama. You are going to need a little network there to get you moved in and started there.</p>
<p>You’re getting lots of good advice. It’s got to be awfully stressful. Be sure to keep up your grades as you will need to send them to the college at the end of your school year. If you need to talk to someone, your guidance counselor at school might be a good listener. Ours here are really helpful.</p>
<p>Regarding the summer nanny position idea:
If you want to be close to home for the summer, John Carroll University is a Jesuit college in University Heights (a suburb of Cleveland). People from the area around here often look to JCU for help finding summer nannies. Do you know anyone there at JCU? You may be able to tap into JCU’s “job board” of people who live in big houses and need summer nannies. Or you could list yourself on the Cleveland Craigslist as being available as a summer nanny.</p>
<p>Regarding the idea of moving to Alabama once school is out:
When I was in college there were two summers that I rented a room for cheap, cheap, cheap in a fraternity house of a university close to where I was working. That’s another possible way to find a cheap place to live in Alabama this summer.</p>
<p>I really like this nanny idea. Anyone have any experience with it…the pros/cons…and is there anyone who can provide a more financial aspect of it?</p>
<p>1- Contact the Rotary Club in your area and near your new college. They deal and set up exchange students. They may find a volunteer family to put you up and provide meals for nothing.
2- I also like the idea of seeking out a nearby church in the area and seek their assistance.
3- Go on facebook, or contact the college for housing info. There are likely reasonable sublets from students for the summer. Get a local job that you can keep during the school year.
4- Seek out a nanny job from a professor at the school.
5-Sleep-away camp jobs for salary and free housing/food for over the summer.</p>
<p>Be careful, whatever you do, if living with other people. Check them out fully as you will be checked out. In this day and age I would avoid a male being a nanny to girls. </p>
<p>Seems like you have full tuition paid. Need money for room and board. Fill out any financial aid forms now.</p>
<p>Find out, in you state, what your parental obligations are. (I am in NY. Friend and husband wanted son emanicapted so they would not be responsible for him and problems he was getting into. He is 19. In NY the parents are obligated to provide housing and food, etc, until 21. He can not be emancipated, even for good reason. Your parents may be obligated to offer you some assistance. Find out what your rights are in Ohio.</p>
<p>Seek help, advice from a friends parent or teacher you trust. Contact family members if you are comfortable with them.</p>
<p>You sound like a good kid. Keep your chin up. Things will work out for you.</p>