<p>In this case it sounds as if through merit and loans that you are effectively paying your own way. If so, your Mom is being more than a little unreasonable. It sounds like a power play. Sooner or later you’re going to have to go your own way and have that fight with your mother. In this case it might be sooner. Is there a relative that you can stay with until college? BTW $22-40K is not unreasonable debt for a four year degree. But it does put pressure on you to obtain a marketable skill.</p>