<p>how does finaid work? my dad just got layoff today and my mom doesnt work. im pretty much screwed</p>
<p>Read these discussion threads, particularly the ones pinned to the top. Get the book “Paying for College Without Going Broke” on Amazon-- read it through.</p>
<p>That shouldn’t be an issue if your parents have saved enough money to live on as an emergency fund and don’t live beyond their means. Additionally, they’ve been saving for your college education since before you were born, right? </p>
<p>If you answered NO to any of these questions, consider getting a job and working your way through a state school. Alternatively, many private institutions feel it’s “noble” to give handouts to people who didn’t act wisely during the past 18 years.</p>
<p>Sonofsam…the OP’s father just got laid off from work. That means that their cash flow for next year COULD be impacted. There is no law that says that parents MUST save for college educations for their children. This OP was looking for help.</p>
<p>There are a lot of options that can be considered. The OP could consider going to a community college and living at home. He/she could go to school part time and work full time. He could work for a year and save money or do some kind of volunteer work (Americorp…is that for high school grads, for example) which earns a small stipend. The OP can apply to colleges where his stats are at the tippy top of the acceptance pool and where merit aid is awarded to students with such stats. The OP can also hope that his dad finds a new job quickly, and that his mom can help out as well. And the OP can work one or maybe even two jobs during the summer to help with college expenses as well.</p>
<p>When the OP files for finaid, they should also send a special circumstances letter indicating the change in income anticipated from 2007 to 2008. </p>
<p>Now…all of this is predicated on the fact that the family does NOT have an unlimited amount of money in the bank. But I would guess the OP would not have posted here if that were the case.</p>
<p>bigreddawgie,<br>
Depending on your academic profile, you might be able to get into a school that meets your family’s full need. If so, you and your parents will have to pay something and may need to borrow, but you should be able to afford college. thumper has given you a good road map. </p>
<p>Ignore the snipers, educate yourself about your options, and move on.</p>