Go to a community college and then transfer your credits to a four year university. If your parents are not able to pay for your education, you should work while attending community college and save for your four-year university tuition.

The main thing you’re trying to attain is a college education — it doesn’t matter how you get it. Try not to feel cheated by going to a community college for two years. I think it’s better than taking on a lot of student loan debt that you’d be paying off for years.

Good luck!

Go to the community college. I am from MO too! I got my Associates at a community college, and now I am at Mizzou. First of all, it’s free. Second of all, class sizes are way smaller. I am glad I decided to start at the community college, and learn how to study, take notes, etc… It’s helped me out a lot now that I’m in class sizes of the up to 300. I do not feel cheated at all. I transferred to another university before I came to Mizzou, and I do not see a difference in the quality of teaching/what I’ve learned. The tuition is A LOT more expensive at the university than the community college.

Also, know what you want to do, and where you want to transfer to. Look into the prereq’s of the universities program so you can make sure you take exactly what you need, and only that. I can’t stress to you enough about getting involved with clubs, volunteer work, and getting into leadership positions. This counts for a lot when transferring into university programs. It is required for what I am doing, and I know a lot of other majors that require it as well. Another reason is since the universities are more expensive, what if you get into something and not like it? Then you have all these courses that you took that you didn’t need and wasted your money.

Nothing in the world can compare to being a university freshman. The fact is that going into any university/college means incuring some type of debt. Debt is not bad as long as you can keep it under about $25,000. There are several programs that will help you pay for some if not all of your expenses.

Work study, Pell Grants, and Federal loans through FASFA is an excellent place to start.

If you are inclined, look into ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) at a school of your choice. By enrolling in the SMP program, you reveive total tuition plus a stiphend. Outside of class, and the occasional weekend event, you are a fulltime college student. After graduating, you are commsioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. You are required to serve 8 years. ( 4 years active duty, 4 years AR, ANG, IRR). After your time is up you have a great resume builder, or you can sign up another 8 years and retire. For current info talk to ROTC personal at a school near you.

Go to the community college, and work your butt off to get great grades. You can learn the basics of math, biology, science, english, etc. any where, and most work done at an accredited college transfers to 4 year schools. But by showing that you were disciplined enough to study and do well at this level, you will improve your odds of being admitted to a 4 year school. You’ll also improve your odds of getting financial aid, too.

However, it doesn’t hurt to contact the admissions counselor at the 4 year school you want to attend, and ask if the course work at your hometown community college will transfer for the major you want to get at the big school. Ask them for advice about what courses to take, and what associate’s degree to pursue at the community college. This will make sure you’re on the right track to get admitted later, and also let their Admissions office know you’re interested in them.

1] no one OWES you an education. It would be nice if it was paid for, but it isn’t. Time to get real.

2] free community college! Wa-hooo! Consider yourself lucky! Most of us don’t have that option.

3] work weekends and summers for college tuition fund. Work one or two evenings a week for spending money.

4] my husband and I both worked our way through school, way before we met each other. It made us more responsible, and more budget conscious.

5] they do have programs for incoming juniors who are new to the college/university you select. AND, you will be more mature than most, so will make better decisions. Two years of a ‘fun’ school is a lot cheaper, both for tuition/dorm/board/, and in carousing mistakes.

If you can get two years for free…trust me, take it!! It’ll save you the heartache of graduating with $30-50K (or more) in student loans. It’s too bad NY doesn’t have that type of program. I’m in grad school now and the cost is unreal!