<p>no…I am not a ■■■■■ and yes, it was a great deal and we can put 27 K total on the car before we return it. The car was in mint condition! We can also choose to buy it at the end of the lease. Our neighbors have done this many times and have also gotten great deals. The car is in my name, since D is a minor, but I assure you, I would not be someone who would post this to get anyone’s hopes up, if there were not good deals to be had. I did state in my post, it might not work for OP, but was being genuine to share this with other parents and people who could benefit. Check it out yourself.</p>
<p>Like SteveMA, I was on my own for college. My mother (single mom w/ large recent inheritance) refused to fill out FA forms. That left me out in the cold. College costs were much lower in those days and were completely covered by govt loans, so i was able to borrow my way through college on subsidized loans. I had no advice from adults and didn’t know about emancipation. I was most certainly on my own financially, yet tied to my mother’s unknown (to the school) financial situation. She was paying her own private school college tuition during this time, so that was an extra slap in the face to me.</p>
<p>Long story short, your dad is not going to pay anything. He is self-absorbed and selfish. The sooner you break the bond, the better.</p>
<p>Can you move to the college town now and get a job and share an apt. with several other students? That way you could keep your job on a part-time basis when you begin school. It would also make it easier for you to establish contacts in the FA office and obtain advice.</p>
<p>You don’t have a transportation problem. You have a parent problem. Don’t try to solve this with spending money on a vehicle when you don’t even have a license yet!</p>
<p>I agree that it is a parent problem but its also “stuck in a high tower with no stairs and one tiny window” problem–the window shows light to the outside breeding hope, but ultimately, the only way out is if I jump–or atleast that’s how I feel anyway. Too scared to go to extremes like spending a ton of money on a car and moving out and emancipation cause I feel like I’m jumping from the window of that tower–and plunging into the unknown. But all I see when I look out that window is what gives me hope-- making money and going to college. </p>
<p>Its a rough world out there–I feel like ill be chewed up and spit out like every other kid who decided to storm out and leave home when they turned 18. People warn me over and over to be thankful because of how rough it is to be young and living on your own with barely any money.</p>
<p>I will explain my situation to the fin aid office. But what exactly should I say? I feel like I’ll sound whiney–how do I ask for help without sounding like a greedy brat? I’m sure fin aid deals with sob stories/ situations like mine everyday. So I’m sure they won’t be moved by anything I say. Ill just be “another kid looking for money”. How can I put it to them straight without sounding like I’m throwing a pity party?</p>
<p>My dad has not explicitly said he won’t pay for my education. But like allyphee said, I do fear him stringing me along. And what if I leave and he says “well I was going to pay but you left, so…” I still haven’t worked up the nerve to ask him bluntly. And if I ask now and he gives me an answer, I don’t know whether or not he will change his mind. Maybe in the next months things will get better somehow, maybe if I’m out of the house more there will be less friction? Maybe things aren’t as bad as I think and somehow if I get some fresh air by being out of the house more ill see things more clearly? Or maybe I’m just too naive to see the truth.</p>
<p>And another problem I’m having (now I’m just rambling about my problems, but it feels good, forgive me) is figuring out how to move out and how to look for apartments ect with this lack of reliable transportation. For example I have already set up an interview for a new job next week, but I have no way to get there at this point. I also keep cancelling with my eye doctor because I can’t get someone to take me. I haven’t bought groceries for weeks cause I can’t find someone to take me to the store (I buy in large amounts-- about $100 a trip monthly). Then there’s the licence thing. I can’t even get someone to take me to get my permit or take me to test. These family friends I talk about don’t live all that close, and they have their own lives to live. I hate having to depend on others like this. I just feel like I can’t even begin to think of moving without some sort of transition, or a way to explore, or a way to test the waters before I jump ship.</p>
<p>My worst enemy right now is probably my dislike of having people pity me (having trouble reaching out because I don’t want people seeing my dirty laundry) and my fear of looking for things (asking for more help, a new living arrangement or a job downtown) and turning up with nothing/ being let down by people who I ask for help from.</p>
<p>I wasn’t very close with my guidance counselor, and she was kind of a dimwit, honestly–couldn’t really help me with college apps all that much, didn’t know what a CSS Profile was, ect.</p>
<p>The lack of reliable adults in my life right now is killing me.</p>
<p>Maybe the best first step is to ask your dad if you can sit down together (with no distractions) to discuss what’s going to happen next year, in terms of finances, when you go to college. If he doesn’t plan to help you financially it will be better for you to know this now so you can plan accordingly. That would make the need to obtain emancipation crystal clear. It would also enable you to inform the financial aid office of his intentions rather than guessing. I know you don’t want pity so I’m sending you a giant {{{cyberhug}}}</p>
<p>aww Thanks baseballmom. Compassion is always nice to indulge in occasionally. I think ill just have to take a deep breath and figure out how i will do that</p>
<p>Another thing that just occurred to me…health insurance. What am i gunna do about that if i get emancipated?</p>
<p>Colleges have health plans, you can get a private plan, most states have a state pool for low income people. Technically your dad can keep you on his insurance no matter what your support status is until you are 26. Whether he will or not, who knows. It probably doesn’t cost him anything extra to have you on his plan to begin with so you will just have to see how that plays out. Just know that you have 60 days to get on a different plan if he does drop you. This is way down the list of things to worry about right now but something to keep in the back of your mind. </p>
<p>Look, you have 35,000 people on this site willing to help you. Start the ball rolling. It’s SCARY, but once you are in the process you will feel better about it. If you have questions, ask us. We either know the answer or can help you find the answer. Honey, if you lived closer to me I would be at your door helping you. I am sure there are others that feel the same way.</p>
<p>Contact a church in your area, any church. Explain your situation. There are volunteers at probably every church that would be willing to drive you to get food, go to the eye dr, etc.</p>
<p>As for what to tell the financial aid officer, tell them what you have told us, your mom passed away, you have $22K from her life insurance (hopefully that is in a trust in your name and not just money your Dad says you have). You had to put off going to college last year because your dad said he would help and at the last minute stopped you from going because he said he wouldn’t give you the money he promised. You want to go this year, you have been trying to work, explain the car situation, rides, how you haven’t been able to go shopping because you don’t have a ride. Let them know you have the $22K and can put that toward some of your costs but you need help with the rest. Tell them you are willing to take out federal loans and do work study. Let them know you are willing to do what you can to pay, it’s just not very much.</p>
<p>Ask them how to start the process of filing for emancipation. They will know what to do.</p>