How to Pay for College?

ChangeTheGame
Thu, 12 Sep 2019 11:40:27 +0000

@computergeek1239, your stats and status as a African American puts you in rarefied air. I am a poster that hopes that you and your parents can find some common ground, but you have options if you apply strategically to schools that may fund your education.

My daughter had slightly lower stats than you and found a few full ride offers and the one she chose afforded her an astounding amount of independence (I only pay for her plane tickets home and to keep up her hair care costs at this point). She doesn’t even need that, but it is our way of contributing and seeing her on a semi-regular basis. She is independent enough to take a trip abroad before coming home for Christmas break despite not working during the school year. My daughter also left very quickly after high school graduation (17 days) to start her summer bridge program where she took 2 classes and got acclimated to her college campus. She was only home for 2 weeks after her freshman year in college (summer research) and could have easily not come home at all.

So you can make it without your parents support (financial/shelter) after graduation, but it would be very helpful if your parents supported you in other ways (Help moving into and out of dorms, filling out the FAFSA yearly, and telling our kid it will be okay after a tough Organic Chemistry test are the ways we truly support our daughter today). Good luck finding your dream school (financially and fit) and I am rooting for you.