I was in an Early College Program in Michigan working to complete my associates degree but my dad got a job out of state. I was going to stay and finish school (a 5th year in high school to finish my degree) but my parents really wanted me to move with them. Since I’m 17 I didn’t have much of a choice. They told me they would help with costs at first so I could finish my associates as planned, but after they moved they changed their minds and are now saving for a purebred puppy.
The school I now am going to is 3.5 thousand for tuition a semester and I took out as much loans as I was allowed (subisidies) to cover it. I’m paying all I have for this semester since we found out we were moving after the scholarship deadline. I am currently applying for 3rd party scholarships like crazy, but those won’t help til next semester. I have a good college GPA, 3.8 but it doesn’t matter since I missed the scholarship deadlines in march.
Since my parents aren’t covering anything this semester like I’d planned for, I have no idea how I’m going to make this semester work because I still need a laptop and all my books on top of tuition.
What state are you in? Since you are 17, I would check out enrolling in public high school and what sort of low cost dual enrollment or AP classes would be available.
Otherwise, you need a job.
I finished high school with 32 credits because of the program, is enrolling solely for AP an option? Also, I’m talking to the college about get a student hourly postion at the bookstore, 20ish hours a week, but I have to wait til the work study deadline is over on the 24th.
Sorry but enrolling solely got AP is not an option. If you have graduated high school you cannot enroll in high school again. If you did not graduate from high school and you enroll again, then you must meet the graduation requirements for that state.
Can you go back to Michigan and finish the AA? Or wait until next year.
Ok. I was confused. Since staying in high school was an option in your old state I thought maybe you could in your new.
If you have a high school diploma, I would consider a gap year to get either state residency or better yet test scores to get a big merit scholarship to a four year school. College won’t get any cheaper and you’re only eligible for big freshman scholarships if you don’t take college classes after high school graduation.
If you have a high school diploma, take a gap year while you apply to college. You are almost certain to be considered a freshman applicant everywhere, which will make it a lot easier for you to get decent financial aid.
In your new state, if they don’t consider that you have graduated from high school, then enroll in high school there.
Please consider waiting a year before enrolling in college. Your Status for enrolling as a freshman is lost when you take college courses after finishing high school.
You are probably eligible for a lot of merit scholarship money, so don’t feel pressured to start college now. Since your parents are not funding your college education, they should not pressure you to start college when you can’t afford it.
You can work and save money for college, and reapply to a new set of colleges for the following school year.
Please clarify this.
Did you graduate from high school already…and if so…when?
I am in MI and I think the kids that do this program do actually graduate after 4 yrs, but then they will do another year of study at the college to get the associate’s degree. So this student should have a high school diploma at this point.