they don’t just look at straight income though, I believe the number of kids is taken into consideration. If you talk with a financial aid person from your college, and you fill out all the right forms and apply for all the grants you qualify for and blah blah blah…you almost certainly will get SOME financial aid. the question is: how much?

Honestly, your parents don’t have to pay anything if they don’t want to. The only loans you should take out are federal loans given to you plus any other free money provided by FAFSA.

Everyone gets aid. Don’t sweat it. Even rich people get aid although they might not get much. Practically everyone is guarnteed at least student loans from the govt.

BTW another suggestion- never take out a loan from a bank- the Aid status you will get might also include your eligibility for other loans (which are usually much higher than federal loans)- don’t take those out. Those are bank loans and they will have high interest rates attached to them.

For undergraduate studies, one usually has to be connected to a parent unless you can prove you have been supporting yourself for a number of years, have been emancipated form your parents, done a stint in the military, or god forbid you are an orphan.

I work and finance 100% of my college education and do get aid from my university. Just make sure all the financial aid forms are completed in full and turned in by the due dates.

After getting aid there are a number of loans given out by the government as well as plenty of private companies that will lend to you at a relatively low interest rate. Whatever college you choose, make sure to call their financial aid office and they will be more than happy to help you figure out how to finance your education.

You can also find lists of hundreds of scholarships you can apply for. Again ask the financial aid office for a list.

I hope this helps, and good luck with your college search.

For example my single mother never paid a single dime for my tuition because she couldn’t, and I was working all the while to help support her. But even though she couldn’t help me out, the government deemed that both our incomes were too high and therefore disqualified me for grants.

Although that doesn’t mean you won’t at least get student loans (subsidized or unsubsidized). With one of those you’ll still be in the situation you want where you don’t have to have your mom pay for any of your education. The best way to find out is by filling out the FAFSA application. Good luck with your schooling.

I found interesting information about your answer, college loans,SCHOLARSHIPS, college grants here. http://all-student-loan-consolidation.blogspot.com/2007/07/scholarships.html Good luck!