<p>You should pay a visit to the Financial Aid Forum, and read up on some of the merit-based scholarship options. Start with this thread: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html</a></p>
<p>You have two sets (at least) of difficulties:
- Your parents are immigrants which means that they aren’t very familiar with higher education in the US, and they probably have un-voiced concerns about what will happen to you (and consequently to the whole family) if your choices take you out of their social network.
- Your father has a very successful small business that he has built up on his own, without having had to attend college in order to develop the skills needed to make that business successful. Many self-made small business owners in the US don’t see the need for a college education for their children because they are always able to create a position for those children within their business. </p>
<p>You may need to deal with these two issues together, or you may want to approach them separately. If you know anyone within your community who has gone to college, or someone outside your community who understands the concerns of immigrant parents, you should ask that person’s advice for helping your parents understand your goals.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>