What to do..

[CherryPoppinz]

So my dad has told me that he isnt going to be able to pay for me to go to college, right now ive got several options:

He said hell be able to pay for my rent and food and such for a few months after I graduate but other than that ill be completely on my own, he doesnt want me living near the family, so I dont really have any other sources of income other than that. Im just graduating high school so I'm not sure what to do or how and where I can get a job, i heard somthing about trade skills, not sure how that works, also I heard somwhere in this forum somthing about going to different countries and working on like a farm and they feed you and stuff like that, i forget what its called.

What do you think I should do?

 

[n3ophy7e]

also I heard somwhere in this forum somthing about going to different countries and working on like a farm and they feed you and stuff like that, i forget what its called.

It's called wwoofing, here's the thread:
anyone tried wwoofing?

I think your best bet, if college is indeed the way you want to go, is to find a part-time job (e.g. waiting tables in a restaurant or something like that) and some cheap student accommodation, and make ends meet as you go along. It can be done, many other students have done exactly the same thing without much help from their parents. It's tough but it can be done

 

[Changed]

College is expensive; and, as many people can now attest, the rewards for your efforts are often less than what you hoped. A college degree is becoming more and more worthless.

Do you want to go to college because you are genuinely interested in the pursuit of knowledge, or do you sort-of want to go because that is what 'you're suppose to do' after high school?

I say: get a shitty job and support yourself for maybe a year. Live frugally, save your money. With your free time, make it your utmost priority to try new things-- things that you'll possibly want to pursue for a while. Get involved with an organic farm if that kind of thing interests you. Plenty of places are looking for part time help during the summer and fall seasons. Volunteer to do some tutoring-- maybe you'd like to be a teacher. Shadow a plumber or an electrician or take some night classes (a lot cheaper than full-fledge tuition) in things that might interest you. Maybe you don't really want a job. I applaud you. Maybe you want to simply travel the world for the rest of your life. There are ways to do it (especially while helping others). WWOOFING, volunteer-based work/travel, teaching ESL... simply hitch-hiking/walking/riding a bike around the globe.

Take the canned response of: "go get your degree, find a job and settle down," and cram it up somebody else's ass. Take an active interest in your life and you won't feel let down in the end.

 

[badboybrian]

im gonna disagree with changed on this because i feel that getting a degree is still well-worth the investment in the long run. after a really long hiatus (and dont get me wrong, i had a blast during my 20s), i graduated with my bachelors degree at 28. immediately afterwards i was able to get a way better paying job then what i had. moreso, before graduating, i was not even given a chance by employers because i didnt have that piece of paper.



back to the question at hand, i say dont discount going to college. yeah college is super expensive, but be sure to consider ALL of your resources and the resources available to you before going other routes. scholarships and grants help tons. and there's always your worst case scenario and take out a student loan (but really that scenario isnt all bad since the interest is so low and you build credit when you pay back). in between all of that, do like the rest of us and work 3-5 jobs man. restaurants, department stores, and market research studies are all dime a dozen.


good luck

 

[CherryPoppinz]

Yeah, definetly wont rule out college as an option, I just wanted to get a better perspective on what else there was possible, and thanks changed that really gave me a better introspect on what else I have.

Badboybrian I applied to several colleges in Ohio including University of Cincinnati haha, whered you go?

 

[KPZ]

Apply using FAFSA and hope that you get a lot of government assistance, which you will if you come from a low income family.

Im in my 2nd year at University and pretty much go for free. I take out loans in order to cover expenses such as textbooks, housing, and food. AKA drug expenses but tuition itself is covered by my Pell Grant

I have a buddy at UC right now. Best of luck. I have to disagree with Changed too, I think if anything a college degree is becoming more and more important.

 

[woamotive]

I always find it shocking when people are surprised at the cost of college, and even more so when they don't know how to deal w/ doing it alone (financially). Maybe it's just me and people that I know but ...it's not uncommon for people to have no parental assistance toward their higher education. I did my entire BA degree on my own and am now going for my Grad degree. How?

I applied for FAFSA. I got some grants, took out a shit ton of loans (I owe a LOT of money), and got a part time job. Be smart with the money you get from the government (I went to Cancun...it bit me in the ass later on). Open up a checking/savings account so you can start paying off your loans as soon as you finish school.

So how does one do it: Apply for loans and grants. Use them wisely, and WORK.

 

[badboybrian]

Badboybrian I applied to several colleges in Ohio including University of Cincinnati haha, whered you go?

Unversity of Cincinnati go bearcats!

I did my BA degree on my own without parental assistance, as well. I would have to say that ultimately I did feel like I truly earned my degree doing it all on my own. That itself was definitely super rewarding.

 

[n3ophy7e]

I'm going to move this over to E&C now for more responses

 

[OverDone]

In the US, there are many ambulance squads that accept applications to be a volunteer. After volunteering for 6 months they will pay for your schooling to be a licensed EMT. Once licensed it is a strong possibility that since the ambulance squad paid for your schooling, they will hire you as a paid EMT.

Is it possible to take a job and volunteer as well? (if this is something you would be interested in)

 

[Bob Loblaw]

^Thank you very much for that info :D. That could help me someday...

So my dad has told me that he isnt going to be able to pay for me to go to college, right now ive got several options:

He said hell be able to pay for my rent and food and such for a few months after I graduate but other than that ill be completely on my own, he doesnt want me living near the family, so I dont really have any other sources of income other than that. Im just graduating high school so I'm not sure what to do or how and where I can get a job, i heard somthing about trade skills, not sure how that works, also I heard somwhere in this forum somthing about going to different countries and working on like a farm and they feed you and stuff like that, i forget what its called.

What do you think I should do?

As neo said, wwoof is an option; also see www.workaway.info .

Look for scholarships if you want, grants, etc. talk to your guidance counsellor. Have you filled out FAFSA? (I'm assuming you're stateside.) And don't forget about community college; it can be a cheap alternative if you transfer into a university later.