<p>I am living with my grandparents, and I am 20 years old. I am currently attending (starting in… 3 days, as of this posting) community college (with the gracious assistance of my grandparents), but may not be able to for long. The reason for this is quite simple; my parents have separated (read: not divorced) and now live in two different states. Neither has any contact with me, and as such the complications arise. You see, I am not 24, nor am I married, a veteran, or one of the other countless “ridiculous” requirements to be independent… Unfortunately this means I am still linked to my parents, my mother being the closer of the two. They cannot provide proof of separation, and have no clue when they will be divorced. To top that cake, neither has filed taxes for the past two years, and cannot prove that they were not supposed to.</p>
<p>Financial aid, at this point, seems like a distant dream (oh, how I wish some one here can prove this wrong). I really do not know if my grandparents can help me next semester (and I really don’t expect it of them, it’s not their responsibility) and current job openings in the local area are few and far between. Why local? Because… I have neither a car, nor license. (Not building myself up very much, am I?)</p>
<p>And thus, my thread title. Should I contemplate the Military as a viable option in order to pay for college? I imagine it might build me up as a better individual in terms of social skills, discipline, and perhaps learning to drive.<br>
Is this the ONLY option? My time to reside with my grandparents is not infinite.</p>
<p>Also, I forgot to mention that I have not taken the SAT or ACT… or any foreign language courses… I screwed up big time… </p>
<p>If you’re going to consider the military, do it to serve the country, not to serve yourself. But yes, assuming your intentions are good, ROTC is a viable option. My brother in law has made a wonderful career in the Navy, after obtaining an EE degree under ROTC.</p>
<p>Considering your situation,if you want to go the military route, enlisting for four years and then using the GI bill for college would make the most sense.</p>
<p>If you do not have a vocation to serve, you will regret joining the military for college money only. It’s better to wait until you can fund your education in other ways.</p>
<p>Why can’t your parents file taxes? Why is their marital status such a mystery? If the divorce is pending they should be able to document that. Maybe if they knew how hard they were making it for you to apply for federal aid, they would do something? And how can you be “closer” to a parent with whom you have no contact? This whole situation seems odd.</p>
<p>Can your grandparents lend/give you the money to take some practice driving hours and get a license? How are you getting to school?</p>
<p>I am open to other routes, I am just not currently aware of them. I am not opposed to anything, really. I will do my best, to do whatever I can.</p>
<p>People… so full of suspicion. Allow me to elaborate, as apparently I posted too hastily. </p>
<p>They are lazy. They were lazy throughout our (my brothers, being the other individuals) childhood, and remain lazy unto this day. That being said, you might be able to surmise why they “can’t” file taxes. Because they won’t. It’s not easy enough, so they won’t. Period. They cannot provided proof of the separation as they are LAZY. They have yet to start the process. They do not care if it is difficult for me, if they did perhaps I would not be asking questions here. And as for the closeness, I meant geographically… </p>
<p>As for my grandparents; I would really rather them not give me any more than the boundless hospitality they have given me in allowing me to live with them, for free. </p>
<p>And, I walk to school. One hour away, not too difficult. </p>
<p>If that sounded rude, or for some reason incomplete, my apologies.</p>
<p>Talk with the financial aid officer at your CC. There are provisions that may allow you to get Stafford loans without your parents’ information. Since you have a place to live, you should be able to get through your associate’s program with a part-time job and a Stafford loan.</p>
<p>Many separated couples just file their taxes as married out of habit and unwillingness to research the change. Many don’t want to bother filing out FAFSA or financial aid forms either. Too many don’t even bother to file taxes. It puts the child in a bad spot when s/he needs aid for college. </p>
<p>I come from a Military Family and my H is an Active Duty Officer nearing retirement, my opinion is different than that of the previous posters. There are lots of reasons people join the military and I would say most have nothing to do with serving their country. Take the asvab, find out what jobs you qualify for, I always suggest an Air Force or Coast Guard recruiter, then contemplate if you want to serve. There are negatives as well as positive when you join the military but it definitely sounds like you could benefit from the Military, ie GI Bill and being self supporting.</p>
<p>I don’t think the requirements are ridiculous. Few college students are truly financially independent; they would just like to say they are so they can get more financial aid.</p>
<p>The military is most likely not your only option, and I would advise against joining the military simply to get money for college. I know a few enlistees who did this and they were unhappy, anxiously counting the days until they were out. But if you want to join the military to serve the country and work, AND you see the benefits of the GI Bill as an extra perk, then it could be a good option for you.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, I love my family… they just… don’t seem to love each other. :(</p>
<p>I see it as me having two extremes; get a loan, or join the military. I am not opposed to either, and would do everything I was required to do, in either case, without hesitation. My career goals are either to be a Veterinarian, or an Engineer, of some fashion. Does that say anything about time management and whether or not the military would be taking it away from those goals? </p>
My goal here is not to be selfish, just proficient.</p>