How do I pay for college when my mom has cancer?
The question
Im going to college fall of 2012 and i’m going to be racking up $ 33,490 a year for four/five years $ 1,400/yr for books and $ 840 for extra fees. If i stay on campus (it says you have to for first year, but i live 10 minutes away and i reckon i can get out of it because of my mom) each year it is $ 11,640. That’s $ 142,920 for four years without the cost of staying on campus. My mom has terminal cancer and we hardly make any money to start with. All of the funds we have/had are used for her treatment. My dad can’t pay for it because he pays for the house and a few other things. My mom pays for water/electric/heating. I don’t have a job and can’t have one do to my AP classes. I have no thought on what to do. I used a financial aid calculator from my college and I reckon I only get 5,000-10000 a semester. My teacher from last year was extremely worried about me being able to pay for college too. My counselor said I will probably rack up a lot of scholarships, but compared to the final college cost it’s barely anything. I know I can take out loans but I don’t want to get out of college and work for 3+ years to pay off my debt. Someone help me 
Best answers:
When you are accepted work with your first choice of school to see if they can get you a better financial aid package.
Your mom has cancer and all you can reckon about is how you don’t want to work to pay your loans? Come on! Get off the tush of yours and get a freaking job. I suppose grants/ and scholarships are not for you?
Don’t rely on only scholarships the school gives you. There are thousands of scholarships out there just from businesses and stuff that give away money. You can go on sites like Fastweb that have all sorts.
“3 years?” 3 years is not that terrible. You need to stay positive and focus. Try speaking with a guidance counselor. Start saving money by selling items in the house you do not need on Ebay and/or have a garage sale. Excellent luck.
You really have nothing to worry about.
If fiancial aid won’t pay for EVERYTHING state grants for low income people will pay for the rest.
Books don’t really cost 1400, buy of Amazon and it’s about half of OR join EOPS they pay for low income students books.
You need to request an appointment with the Dean and talk to him/her about your situation so you can live off campus, I have never seen in state residents obliged to live on campus I have seen that for out of state students.
Trust me I have an on call job but only make $ 600 a month- and not only are my classes free, I also turn a profit from FAFSA you have nothing to worry about.
You can also look for scholarships, just google it in your state.
Cheers to your mom
Im sorry to hear, it looks like your in grade 12, you dont have to go to school straight away after highschool. you can wait. spend time with your mom because once she’s gone, she’s gone and I reckon your mom would like that you would spend time with her also you’ll probably regret not spending time with her in the future if you dont. I know I would. but I hope everything works out for you and your family.
Maybe you should consider the cost of going to a community school of college instead of a 4-year University if money/tuition is the problem. Community school of college cost less toward it tuition.
The Fall 2012 costs you posted can always change since it is not even Fall 2012 yet.
College tuition and fees can increase again after the Spring 2012 semester is over.
Cost of books: You should try to find cheaper books through buying it online if possible, from students that already taken the course you are going to take, from professor (some professors have students buy like a bulk pack on college campus for a less cost), and some times there are courses where you might not even needed a textbook for it.
Fill out the FAFSA in Jan 2012.
Depending on how much your parents make/their income – you might be able to receive some grants, etc.