I’m new to scholarships and I need advice. My parents make over 500k a year, and they said they won’t pay for my tuition unless I get into one of the top 3 UC schools. I’m not the smartest and I really don’t want to take on a bunch of student loans. What are my options for getting help or going to school without going into debt?
I’m not sure if income matters for every scholarship, but I think it does for some that are needs-based. But hopefully not all of them! If you’re worried about meeting your parents’ expectations, some other advice here could be helpful. Especially the community college option. I went to a state school first, but then came back to community college because it was cheaper and the courses were way easier. Same classes as the university, but I passed them in community college with no problem after failing them a couple of times at the university. Plus, some community colleges have special programs for students from your district. Maybe check with your local community college. Another idea is to get a part-time job. I had one while I was in community college, and it helped me be more independent. You can even use your own income to apply for FAFSA if you meet certain requirements. There’s also AmeriCorps, which hires people for community service jobs. It’s like a job that pays minimum wage but also gives you an education stipend that can go toward tuition. Maybe it’s worth checking out. So, maybe try looking into working at AmeriCorps, applying for FAFSA, finding scholarships, and thinking about community college. Even if you don’t get into one of the top UCs, you can always transfer later.
What I would do is this:
- Stay home, crush it at community college
- Work part-time and save as much money as you can
- Finish community college in 18 months and apply for UC schools
Enjoy the gap between finishing community college and the next school year!
- If you get into a top UC, take it easy and do part-time to stretch your tuition. They said they’d pay if you get in, so let them cover it.
If you don’t get in, you’ll have some savings to pay for your degree. You could even finish with little to no debt if you work part-time and take an extra year to balance work and school. You could solve the debt issue with just one extra year, and it’s usually cheaper than borrowing a lot for school.
Do you even want to go to college? Or are you more interested in learning a trade? Trade schools are way cheaper, and those jobs are in high demand. Plus, they pay well, and a lot of people end up starting their own businesses. College isn’t for everyone. That’s what I tell my kids. One is going to college next year, and the other is heading to trade school in two years.
Your parents are being unreasonable. It’s tough when they set those kinds of conditions in this economy.
I’d suggest applying for community college and then transferring later, or applying for outside scholarships to go to a state school. What are your stats like? There are a lot of scholarships out there that might surprise you.
Community college is a solid option. If you choose this route, keep these things in mind:
Check if your 4-year university has a partnership with your community college. This way, your credits will transfer.
Make sure to take the right classes that will transfer.
Some community colleges don’t offer merit aid, so be mindful of the costs.
If your parents aren’t paying, you likely qualify for financial aid. Some scholarships have income limits, but you can still apply for ones that don’t. Just be sure to check the requirements.
I can’t imagine being a parent making half a million a year and not helping their kid with tuition when it’s so hard to get into schools that are almost like a lottery.
Noor said:
I can’t imagine being a parent making half a million a year and not helping their kid with tuition when it’s so hard to get into schools that are almost like a lottery.
Right?! Not even a top 25 school?!
Community college for two years and then transfer is a good plan. You can get guaranteed admission if you meet the requirements, and it’s often easier to keep your grades up at community college. Plus, if you qualify for financial aid, you might actually get paid to go. Have an honest conversation with your parents about it, but community college is a solid option if you can’t get into the top schools. If you want to get into a top 3 school, your essay needs to be amazing. Just believe in yourself and trust in God, and everything will work out. Best of luck!