My mother makes bank, but she's indifferent to me, her only daughter. How can I pay for college?

Question

I'm sorry that this is long. But I desperately need some help. This is something that I usually do not say.

Most, not all children, have parents that want to do good for their kids, by helping to pay for housing, college, ect.

But my mother and I have not had a normal family relationship than most. And she has not at all been showing any signs of wanting to help me pay for college at all. She's basically just letting me be "on my own," like I always wanted.

My mother is a lawyer, and she (plus my step-father, who has basically given up on me too) make a lot of money. Let's just say, more than the average middle man. But not too much to as where they are rich. But I do believe that they are harvesting their money for better things like buying a house and my one year old baby brother.

I do not believe that I've been a "bad child." Sure I may have not listened to them when they told me to do certain things or restricted me from simple indulgences. But over all I think I'm decent.

Answer 1

Pay your own way through college. Im in my 3rd year and ive managed paying my own way.

Answer 2

Work with your school to try and get financial aid; a lot of times the financial aid office at your school can help you. You'll probably have to take out a few student loans, which you won't have to pay back until you done with school and have a job. Also, try asking your mom for help. It doesn't seem like you have a very open relationship, but try asking her. She might surprise you and help you out. Good luck.

Answer 3

Anyone can get finanical aid (in the form of student loans) regardless of paretal income.  It's not going to be a huge amount, but enough to pay your tuition and books if you go to a relatively cheap school and dont go nuts.

Fill out your fafsa and hold your head high, be happy your parents have been successful and provided you a good life.  (You have food in your stomach and a roof over your head).  Now it's time for you to work hard to earn that too.  You have a much higher chance of graduating if you are the one paying for it.

Answer 4

I believe that in Canada, if you move out of your parents' home, their income no longer factors into scholarship and assistance equations.

I had a similar problem. I continued to live at home and paid for just school. This restricted the schools I could attend because they had to be near home; but I go tmy education without going into debt.

Answer 5

You could always take classes at a community college for now and work too and pay for it like many people do.  And when you turn 24 you get assistance.

Answer 6

You can try going to your college. They might be able to do an income exclusion form.

Answer 7

just go to the school and apply for financial aid, they will help you to confront your parents for some money! They are obligated to help you, until you are twenty five i believe....so go for it.

yeah. you can tell the financial aid that your parents have abandoned you.

i had to w***e my way though college. the trick is getting one rich *** guy, like you parents who is willing to fund you. that way you dont work the corners...

i suggest that if you are lowered to this that you tell your parents, maybe that will convince them that you are serious about going.

Maybe they would pay then...

my dad is a attorney too, and I am a straight A student.

i told the school my parents abandoned me, and they allowed me to get financial aid.

Answer 8

Well, federal student loans in your name may be the route you have to take.  The interest rates on them really arent that bad, and as long as you live in the dorms, they will pay for room and board, tuition, and books, maybe even a little extra!  You don't have to make any payments on them until you graduate and find a full time job.  It sucks to have debt, but the idea behind it is that you should be able to use the degree that the debt financed as a tool to repay the debt.  Its not the easiest situation, but its what I did, and even though it will take me a long time to finish paying, its totally worth it!

Answer 9

Many parents believe that there is a time to "let go" of their children and hope that the values they have instilled will afford their child to achieve success.  This may or may not be the story, but as many others have stated...you're not alone.

After you have exhausted your options of scholarships, grants, and federal aid through your school's financial aid office; you may want to look into private education loans (commonly referred to as "alternative loans") to make up the difference.

Private education loans are credit based and carry an option to add a cosigner if you're credit score is low or just not established enough.  You're mother may be willing to sign as a cosigner as education loans are an example of "good debt" and statistics show that earnings after college graduation make necessary borrowing a wise investment.  If she still is not willing to teach you "responsible borrowing", you could ask another family member for help in cosigning for your education.

You can visit http://www.collegeloancampus.com/guide.p... for information on the entire financial aid process and to learn more about private education loans.

Hope this helps.

Answer 10

Personally, I think you should have an honest-to-goodness face-to-face talk with your mom and step dad so you can resolve whatever issues you seem to be harboring. Family ties are important and it is always wise to make amends with the people closest to you. By default, blood relatives are the people closest to you.

Regarding your financial dilemma, these sites may be of help:

http://www.governmentgrantsearch.com

http://www.instantgrantsearch.com

http://www.new.freegrantsearch.com

http://www.instantscholarshipsearch.com

http://www.intantloansearch.com

Answer 11

Hmmmmm... my situation is sort of similar to yours -- only my parents would help if they could. Unfortunately my dad squandered all of my college savings away in the stock market (he has a really bad case of dreamer's disease and lives in this fantasy world pretending he's a stock broker and actually knows what he's doing). but what can i say? he earned that money - not me right? Anyway - I think you should just give your mom the finger (figuratively speaking) file a fafsa (financial aid - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov), and also look into loans. I'm not sure how your grades are/were, but if they're good you may be eligible for some scholarships - but if not, don't worry about it. Just look into loans, but you may want to go ahead and do whatever you have to to make sure that you are no longer listed as a dependent on your IRS forms - because if you are then it will affect your eligibility for loans because your mom has such a high income. Me as well as many others know where you're coming from though - you're not alone, trust me.