<p>Last year I graduated from high school. At the time I was enrolled in college and set to leave in August. When the time finally came for me to leave, I decided I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do. I freaked out and unenrolled from college and decided to get a job. Over the past year I have continued making bad decisions. I bought a new car, moved into and apartment with a year long lease, and traded a horrible but well paying job for a minimum wage mindless gig that doesn’t quite cover my bills. All the while I have been trying to decide what to do with my life. I have always dreamed of being a doctor, but it seems so unattainable now because I can’t drop everything and go to college. If I start college, I will need to work fewer hours, so, does anyone have some suggestions about financial aid that I can use to help pay my bills while I go to school? I may mention I have a state funded scholarship for $25,000, and I was planning on going to a very inexpensive school, so my tuition is paid for (atleast while I’m an undergrad), so all I will need money for are books and my cost of living during college.</p>
<p>Much will depend on the results of applying for FAFSA using your parents info. It doesn’t matter that you live on your own, you have to use your parents’ info because of your age and single status.</p>
<p>A couple of points—</p>
<p>1) medical schools are very open to non-traditional students. (Students who didn’t take the traditional high school -->college–> medical school path) Don’t give up on your dream just yet.</p>
<p>2) if you haven’t yet done so, consider spending some time doing both physician shadowing (to see what a doctor’s life is really like. It’s not at all like how it’s portrayed on TV.) and volunteering at a site where you will come into direct contact with patients. (Hospital, stand alone clinic, nursing home, group home) This will give you even more insight as to whether a career as a physician is s good fit for you.</p>
<p>3) While not ideal, you can certainly start your path to medical school by going part-time to a local college or CC.</p>
<p>What are the terms of this state funded scholarship? Is it still good? You might want to check on that. Also, did you “disenroll” in a way that does not affect your fin aid? So many former students come on this board when they find out that their disenrollment, disengaged them from finanicial aid. You should find out exactly what your status is.</p>
<p>Also, how old are you? Unless you are 24, you are likely still dependent for college aid purposes, so you need to get a FAFSA filled out with not only your finances but your parents’/ When you fill it out, make sure that you don’t have earmarked money in your accounts that day–pay up those bills first, because 20% of every dollar goes towards your EFC. Half your income over $6K in 2012 does as well. </p>
<p>Since you are in such a flux right now, the best thing to do is probably to go back home, and look at local options commuting from your parents’ unless your $25K award is something that can make living on campus possible. Get a solid track record in college, and you can see if med school or the health professions are for you. Young people often change their minds, so what you are going through is perfectly normal. The fin aid is limited so you don’t want to waste it floundering.</p>