However, a generation or two ago, it was much more possible for someone living on his/her own (i.e. not with parents) to “work one’s way through college”, since high school graduate job opportunities were better and in-state public universities were less expensive. Now, it is much more difficult to do without some kind of parental support (including living at the parent’s place), or earning some sort of highly selective large scholarship (academic merit, athletic, ROTC).