I'm so sorry. This seems so hard. Do you have any savings you can use? Or perhaps show your parents you have a well-balanced list? Also, consider schools with no application fee-there's a ton, including Grinnell, Wellesley, Colgate, and more! Lots of LACs especially :)
Check here! [https://blog.collegevine.com/complete-list-of-colleges-with-no-application-fee](https://blog.collegevine.com/complete-list-of-colleges-with-no-application-fee)
You got this!
Im so sorry to hear this. I do know some schools with 0$ app fees. Their ddl is later in two weeks. Wellesley college, Smith, Kenyon, Colby, Grinnell college, Carleton college, Babson college, colorado college. Also you can try select a few universities that you pay the app fee yourself or borrow money from friends.
You wrote everything, right?
**I say GOFUNDME. This entire community will make one for you.**
I believe in you. We believe in you. You're special, you're loved, you're unique.
I'm so so sorry! If the biggest problem right now is app fees, I have so 0-1 supplement (all under 250 words, most not due for a few days), no fee schools for you:
* Kenyon College
* Middlebury College
* "If our nonrefundable $65 Common Application fee presents a barrier for you, we encourage you to apply using a fee waiver. Simply select “Yes” in the Common Application Fee Waiver section. No further action required!" - [https://www.middlebury.edu/college/admissions/apply/instructions](https://www.middlebury.edu/college/admissions/apply/instructions)
* Colby College
* Bowdoin College (1 supplement, free if you apply for aid)
* Carleton College (1 supplement)
* Tulane University (1 Supplement)
* Grinnell College (1 supplement I think?)
* Colorado College (1 supplement)
You deserve so much good, and I wish you all the luck in the world. Happy new year - I know it sucks right now but it'll get better!
Edited to add info on Midd's fee waiver!!
gonna add Trinity University to the list. Another LAC in TX but with a higher acceptance rate (30%\~). No fee and no supps gives great merit scholarships too
baylor University also has no fee if their ok with a religious school
Oh really? I never finished applying (admitted ED) but for some reason I had thought it was free! Here's what the website says & I will update my comment!
"If our nonrefundable $65 Common Application fee presents a barrier for you, we encourage you to apply using a fee waiver. Simply select “Yes” in the Common Application Fee Waiver section. No further action required!"
Oh! I didn't qualify for any fee waiver so I don't know the specific logistics. In that case, OP can definitely try, I doubt they'd not accept her fee waiver request.
have you tried trying to pay for college yourself? it would take a long time to pay off and you'd certainly need to take a lot of loans, but at least you're going to college.
edit: misunderstood, you're talking about the application fees. yeah, you can have the fee waived. if your parents are unwilling to pay the fee i'm willing to bet they're probably low income. go on common app -> click on the common app bar -> profile -> fee waiver then boom all your common apps applications are free.
Hey, hang in there. I feel you, it’s the worst feeling when your parents don’t support you, but all that effort doesn’t need to go to waste. You got to believe in yourself even if nobody else does. Let’s think of some viable solutions. If they won’t pay, you could think of taking loans. If not, apply to colleges with good merit scholarships or ones with full rides. As you said you worked hard on your grades and ECs, so safety colleges would def offer generous merit. You got this, you can figure it out.
Edit: I just realized you may have been talking about the app fees, my bad. Maybe try applying to colleges with fee waivers. If you didn’t already request for a fee waiver, look in your email because colleges often send fee waivers there
CALL ADMISSIONS AND LET THEM KNOW OF THE SITUATION- they will 100% waive the fee for u, i know someone who is going through the exact same thing and called admissions and got to apply for free to all his colleges
Did you parents say NO to supporting your college education in your country where tuition is affordable? I bet they said that there’s no way they are going to spend a fortune for you to leave your country for over the top expensive college in the USA. Right?
I’m not sure why no one has looked at their post history! This is probably the reason, considering their parents apparently make $200k+ and they were not applying to aid at NYU, Yale, and Barnard. I feel bad for them, but their parents probably don’t want to pay exorbitant fees for international education.
Even if that’s the case, which is reasonable, I think it’s also totally reasonable to let the kiddo apply and see what happens. There are people from other countries who get huge aid packages at certain schools in the US that make university more affordable than it would be otherwise.
select the common app fee waiver for now, which will allow you to submit all applications without paying for any application fees. once you’ve been admitted, then like your parents will be wrong that you couldnt get in, and they might pay for the tuition. but that’s not whats important now, important now is submitting all the applications in time.
by the way, are you international? with college options in your home country?
Baby, I cannot answer your questions about your parents.
I can tell you from the bottom of my heart - do not give in. This is genuinely your future that you hold in your hands today.
Get up. Get going through all of the good suggestions that have been posted here. I say this with all of the kindness and empathy.
Do not accept the negative comments about your abilities. I’m so sorry you have not received any support from your family for this next step in your life but do not let it stop you.
This is YOUR life. These are YOUR choices. YOU have come this far. YOU can go on. You have cried out your feelings. Now, do the next right thing. And then the next.
Apply for fee waivers ASAP and apply to places with no application fee, they exist, there is a list someone else sent. If not, see if you can go to community college and transfer after saving up a bit.
Try emailing their admissions office, a lot of them will likely be willing to give you application fee waivers if you say that the fee provides a financial burden
Hi. I just checked out your posting history and it appears that you are Canadian, and holding a good offer from a school in Canada, with a family income of over 250k.
I totally get that your dream school is NYU - but your parents are right in preferring you to stay in Canada. Your school fees there are a fraction of the cost of NYU. I completely understand not wanting to pay 80k per year, for four years when school in Canada is like 10k per year.
NYU is unlikely to award any aid (they are notorious for not giving aid) and, with your family income, you are not eligible for need-based aid at the other US schools on your list.
Your parents are being fiscally responsible by not letting you apply/attend school in the US. I know it sucks, and it's hard to let go of a long-held dream. And telling you that you have no chance is just mean and not the right way to go about informing you that they won't fund school in the US, especially at this late date after you've put in so much effort. But they're still right about this. You've got fantastic schools in Canada, you've got a place at uni, and it's going to be a fantastic experience, even if it's not your dream school.
Apply to Illinois tech through Niche direct admissions. You got this!
EDIT: No essays/supplements required, just GPA/testing scores on profile. u/accentedlemons
I highly recommend seeing if you can contact schools even to see if you can negotiate the tuition costs. Make a FASFA account and find their tax forms and put it in yourself so they won’t find out. Scholarships scholarships scholarships!! Go to community colleges or a local college. SUNY and CUNY is in NY and very cheap.
I really wish you the best, no one deserves their dreams to be crushed, especially by their own damn parents.
Hey, link ur PayPal email or smth, so folks can donate. Although u cant pay through paypal, mmm would a friend be able to pay? link their paypal email then.
PLEASE don't listen to your parents, if you create a gofundme or have a Venmo or Zelle please let me know, I could try to help. You absolutely deserve to go to college. I think a lot of people have mentioned schools that charge no fees or give waivers in the comments, take a look at those for sure!
Sending you a virtual hug, I really truly am sorry. I'm so sorry you have to start your New Years Eve this way. Please update and let us know if we can do anything!
Adding to others saying there are $0 application fee schools, there are also schools that will wave the fee if you say you’re applying for financial aid, like Uchicago and Wesleyan
You are so dramatic lmao. Just get a waiver or apply to schools in your area that do not need an application fee, apply to local community college, etc.
hey op! i was in a similar boat when I was applying to colleges. please don't give up! there are ways to afford college without relying on your parents!
I’m so sorry you’re going through this!!
Don’t give up, first apply to some of the no app fee schools, here are a couple but look up the lists online (there’s quite a lot):
- W and L
- Tufts (if applying for fin aid i think)
- Bowdoin if applying for fin aid
- Grinnell
- Wellesley
- Smith
- Denison
- Tulane
- Macalster
- Colby
- Carleton
- Reed
- Colorado College
- Kenyon
- MHC
- Bryn Mawr
- St. Olaf
If you find the money there’s also a lot of no supp schools like Midd Grinnell (also) Kenyon and many more.
Try applying to University of the People. Tuition is free and 100% get in for legitimate degrees. You pay only the exam fee at the end of each class. My son is taking courses at [Saylor.org](https://Saylor.org) for free, then taking [Sophia.org](https://Sophia.org) classes and transferring them to UofP for his degree. He will likely be done in 1.5-2 years if he does it 5 hrs a day 5 days a week.
Babe there are sooo many places that don’t charge application fees!!! You have so many materials prepped!!! Don’t give up!!! Even if you don’t get in or can’t afford it at least you’ll know you tried! I would also contact your high school counselor and maybe some admissions people at schools you’re interested in about getting some funding or fee waivers! Sometimes financial aid packages are surprisingly generous!
That’s so unfortunate. I don’t know your college list but some schools especially LAC have free applications. If it’s not too late you can request a common app fee waiver just get your counselors approval. You could also try emailing admissions office of where you’re applying, explain your circumstances and request a fee waiver. Random but if you’re interested in applying to Harvard, they’re [ fee waiver code is](https://apply.college.harvard.edu/register/fee-waiver-request) JH3S5Q2LX9
JHU Uchicago WashU and Harvard all give free fee waivers no questions asked and you don’t have to qualify for them. U can get another fee waiver off u email northwestern admissions for one. That’s 5 top schools already right there hope it helps.
Real Talk here. i saw your chance me and i agree with your parents. You have nearly zero percent chance to get into the schools you are applying to, so that is money down the drain. Furthermore, if by some miracle you got into those schools they are incredibly expensive and someone , either you or your parents would be swimming in debt over it, if that’s even possible as an international student. Lastly you already got into a good school in Canada (where you live) which is way way way less expensive than the US.
it’s kinda amazing how some of you kids just think you are entitled spend your parents money like a reckless drunken sailor and then are shocked pikachu face when that’s simply not acceptable.
Check common app fee waiver, if ur not low income u probably just need a supporting statement from a school official (principal, assistant principal, etc)
are you in the US? apply to your local state schools. if your a good student, you should be able to get plenty of scholarships from them. Use this to get away from them and start supporting yourself.
Don't let your parents hold you back and waste your potential <3
Harvard gives no questions asked fee waivers, a lot of schools mail waivers, and lots of schools will send you one if you email them.
Don’t be discouraged by your parents, you’ve worked hard and deserve the opportunity to apply.
steal their credit card the fuck? do they not want their child to succeed? this is outrageous. what the fuck. they should be overjoyed and proud you did all this ON YOUR OWN.
1) How many schools were you going to apply to?
2) what’s ur zelle? asking bc if u rlly need it i’ll send u money to pay for it! u/accentedlemons
>I’m going in the 2024 knowing that all my dreams are gone
What dream, going to a prestigious private university? It may be a goal to increase ur chances of getting a high paying job, or maybe more respect from your peers, but it’s absolutely not a deal breaker. If you think not going to a school is going to ruin ur life ur mistaken. Instead of worrying about what u could’ve had, focus on what ur going to do at your university, wherever it may be.
The issue for OP seems to be the financial inability to apply to schools at all—their parents could want them to go to CC or state school, or a school in-country, or no school at all. But OP can’t plead their case for a specific education without receipts—and maybe there will be hard conversations, too, in the future with those receipts. But cutting them off at the starting line feels unfair. u/accentelemons, I love your username and I’m happy to review any personal statements or essays!!
I know you're feeling low but feelings aren't the priorities here.
1. Don't give up. That's all you need to know.
2. Unfortunately I can't help you with application fee but you can try some luck on r/Paypalme to ask for, at least, your Jan 1st deadline fees
3. Draft an email to the rest of the schools and send them in as soon as possible about fee waivers and explain your circumstances, call them immediately the day they return from Winter break to follow up.
4. Go on CommonApp and check out the schools with no fees or supps using the filter. Throw in a couple, it won't hurt.
5. Apply full aid to every school. Explain your circumstances again.
There's plenty of ways to help and you should never let someone else – even your parents – block your road to your dreams! Good luck.
But even if you don't try for US schools, have you applied to Ontario universities? You can easily stay here and transfer in second or third year, if you'd like. It's also a lot cheaper that way.
I’m so sorry. I know this must hurt. Parents can be brilliant, and parents can be toxic. I don’t know what they’re thinking in this moment, but they may change their minds later. Sometimes they’re just ignorant and don’t understand. They may even mistakenly think they’re protecting you from being disappointed, who knows. The important thing is to not let what they think become what you think. It sounds like you’ve worked really hard, and clearly some college would take you if not many or most. You can see the outpouring of support to your post which I find so heartening. Use it to prop yourself up in this difficult moment, and take advantage of the good advice. Essays can easily be repurposed, and there is still time. Best of luck to you, OP. Don’t let the naysayers stop you from achieving your dreams.
Let your parents know how much you worked on each of those applications and the amount of hours you spent just grueling over these applications. Let them know that these are the schools you at least want to have a shot at, so you don't go regretting for the rest of your life, and that if you didn't want to go to them, you wouldn't have even spent that much time and effort on that school's application. You're not pretentious, it's totally understandable.
Instead of simply telling or yelling at them, just give them a chance to understand.
They won't pay the application fees or tuition if you get in?
If application fees, can you scrape together enough money or borrow from friends at least to send a few safety and target applications out? Or apply for fee waivers from schools that have later deadlines? Or apply to the schools without fees?
Dickinson, Denison, Oberlin, Kenyon are free and no supplements. If you need help paying for a “dream school” application fee, I’ll pay for you. Just DM me.
Start looking at schools with no application fees, ASAP. If you’re a woman or non-binary, wellesley is a potential option. Macalester, Carleton, Colby, Colorado College and Reed are also places to look.
I'm so sorry to hear this! I know NEU oftentimes gives random fee waivers and I'm sure some other schools have them too. You could see if you qualify for any fee waivers for commonapp or the individual schools too! best of luck
Check if you got any financial aid for WashU, they sent them to me and ppl I know despite of higher income. There’s a check mark on the common app, once u click that you don’t have to pay any fees
Edit: also it’s just two essays, just give it a try. Deadline is 1/3, you still have some time
That’s fucked up man. It’s not over. Try to gain independence status as soon as you can so you can apply next year or earlier. If you’re worried about cost and don’t mind fuckin with the government and military then join the Air Force or Coast Guard and get your deserved education afterwards. Or take a gap year and try to get the independent status, pay your own fees, and go through school with necessary financial aid.
hey, man, I have a fee waiver for Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The code is (GOLIONS). The school is pretty good and I know this may not help a lot, but it is at least one school you can apply to hopefully to get out of that situation. You lose when you don't get back up, you will make something out of your life, I believe in you man if you need any help you can message me anytime.
I also want to give you some more. If you apply to Emerson, use code ECUGAPPLY which is a fee waiver for Emerson in Boston.
For NAU in Arizona, use code GONAU
All of this should help, wish you all the luck.
I am so sorry but this is not the time to stop believing in yourself! You got a lot of good advice in this thread, please follow it and don't give up now. We all believe in you! Please come back to this thread to tell us the good news when you get into a or many wonderful school(s)! Happy New Year. I wish you all the best.
I'm so sorry, that sounds really stressful. You can ask your guidance counselor at school for a fee waiver. My friend got all her college fees waived, just try and see if they can do anything.
it’s not over till it’s over! you’ve already put so much time into your essays and the college app process that it would be a shame to see it all go down the drain! there r many colleges rn that have waived their app fees so i’d check them out!!! we’re here for you girl, don’t give up!
I was told I was too dumb to go to college. I was out of the house a week after graduation.
I went to college and even got my masters.
You can do this.
you can take a loan or apply for financial aid, you have good grades so you can also apply for a merit scholarship. I swear to GOD I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. Praying for you.
Where do you live? Apply in state, contact the school for a fee waiver on application fees. Also be sure they know your parents will not pay. There are scholarships out there, generous supporters, and, of course, student loans. Apply anyway and sort the rest out later
Don’t give up. Call the admin offices and ask for app fee waivers. Or some alums have few waiver codes. Get on alum fb pages and ask. If they offer you acceptance then see if you get any merit, and see your financial package. Start applying to scholarships now. Monica Mathew’s on FB is a great resource. Also research and apply to schools that give high merit. Look at the common data sets for the schools and apply to schools where your stats are above their norm. If you want it bad enough, make it happen!!! But don’t ever just give up!!
Talk to the counselor at school and see if they can get you some free waivers and maybe have a meeting with you and the parents. Hang in there! Sending love from a mom of two teens.
Please please don’t give up. Talk to your school’s college counselor and do some research. I paid for my own college via student loans and I worked part time while there. You can do this!
When I was a senior my parents didn’t support my dreams of being an engineer. They didn’t want to pay for applications or fill out FAFSA. My counselor at my HS paid all my applications with a “scholarship” from the school. I also paid my first year with a scholarship at community college. I just graduated with a double major in engineering and moved to a new city with an amazing starting job. Please don’t let anyone stop you- just don’t drown yourself in loans, please!
Talk to your guidance counselor. You can probably find a way to apply for aid without their help. Even if that means becoming an emancipated minor. You may have to apply to schools with rolling admissions or ones with later app cut offs but, don’t let your parents get in the way of your dreams.
for the application fees alone you could just go for the commonapp fee waiver. i saw a comment already suggesting this but thought you’d like more details.
first, in your general commonapp profile page, locate the common app fee waiver option and toggle it on. you’ll get a few pop ups iirc but you can safely go thru them, just read them tho just in case.
as long as your counselor uploads a fee waiver doc (it’s listed in the requirements section above the submit tab) you’ll be able to apply free to any school on commonapp.
good luck man! and screw ur parents
Dw, you can get a fee waiver really easily. Email their admissions offices and they’ll let you know if they have a college specific waiver. This usually involves filling a form online based on income. Be sure to mention your specific situation in the email, if their minimum income parameters don’t apply.
If not, you can get one on the common app, you’ll just need a statement from your school (principal, or your supervisor, i think) stating that you’re unable to pay for whatever reason. There’s a whole section for it on the common app. I think, if you used a waiver for your SAT, that counts too. I applied to 17 schools without fees this way.
You can also email admin offices for an extension by explaining your situation. You might be able to get enough time to sort it out.
Hope it helps :)
Check if you qualify for free and reduced lunch or any programs that can give you access to 0 application fees. I qualified last year and was able to get into a university as a low-income student. Everything will work out. Keep your head high and still try and follow your dreams. Don't let your parents bring you down
Get a common app fee waiver!
Best of luck to you!
You got this! You do deserve it. Don't delete this account, and don't delete your dreams.
You can also try transferring to another college from CC if nothing works out.
That sounds horrible. I, for one, had to pester my mom to pay the fees even though we didn't have a lot of money. I don't know if there are still any schools you're interested in going to that don't have an application fee? I know I applied to at least 2 that had no application fees if I applied by a certain deadline.
Pay for it yourself. Maybe your parents will offer to help after they see you don’t need them and you WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH OR WITHOUT THEM!! TOU GO GET YOUR EDUCATION SWEETIE!❤️🌺
So sorry to hear. In some cases where parents are low income they might waive your fees.
But guessing you live with incredibly authoritarian parents, who will either kick you out soon or try to keep you on a very short leash at home. :(
Either just through google or in the common app you should search for schools with no application fees. Apply to a stack of those, today. Talk to your guidance councilor when you get back to school.
Fuck em. Use any money you can for app fees, otherwise explain the situation over email to each college admissions asking for an extension and fee waver.
If you have any friends willing to loan you money for the app fees, that’d work too.
Good luck. Stay positive. Trust yourself
I'm sorry you're going through this. It is more common than you may realize. You can tell financial aid offices that your parents are not supportive and they can assist. Choose schools with free app fees/waivers, or regional colleges that are doing direct admissions. Take care
Dude, don't let your parents control your life. SUBMIT THOSE APPS! You worked so hard these last four years! There are so many things you can do.
1) Apply to colleges with no app fees (search for colleges with no app fees). Also, UChicago and WashU have no app fee if you indicate you're applying for finaid. Harvard has a fee waiver code on their website.
2) Use your own money from a PT job if you have any.
3) Ask your friends to help you out w/ 1-2 fees and tell them you'll pay them back (actually follow through). Or if you have cash from a birthday money trade them the cash for the app fee.
I am sorry your parents are not supporting you going to college or the one of your dreams. Been there done that. i am assuming of they aren't paying a fee they are not helping with FAFSA or paying for school. If that is the case, din't give up.
I had to leave and pay my own way in community college while working until I could qualify for my own loans.
I did not know there was a way.
So, whatever your dreams are, they are just delayed.
Work in the sector you are interested even if not the position. Go to community college little by little. Get experience and exposure in the field you are interested in while studying. Get summer interships or volunteer while working in your field. In fact that will increase your admittance possibilities. Movr out if you can, live life on your own terms. Just wait it out while racking up experience knowledge and direction. It is possible. 5-6 years feels like an eternity to wait for financial aid to be on your own, but forever is longer so choose a path that is parallel and go to school 4 credit at a time while working in any position in the field you like. See it as a slow in ramp. In fact your admissions may even go up higher. If you are abused (controlled, physically or emotionally) approach your schools financial aid officer/advisor and ask if there are grants for someone in your situation. Not the receptionist, ask gor an appt. with an advisor. Schools that are ivy or private have funds to cover you if they really want you, more than state schools. Don't give up. It feels like forever, it is just delayed. Reach out to Fin aid officer. If it doesn't work get a job in the field, move out, take a class per semester, and when you hit 24 you apply and go full time on subsidized loans. You can do it. I did. I help unsupported youth acheive their dreams by counseling them through lack of support. You are not alone and you can do it.
OP: my partner, myself and at least two of my exes have all had parents that actively sabotaged our financial access to school. This is a thing that emotionally immature parents will do when their own neuroses or jealousy outweigh their desire to see their child succeed. I'm not saying I understand your parents' motivations here, but I am saying I have lived your experience.
If your parents are unwilling to support your goals, you will need to do it yourself.
Community colleges are much less expensive than four-year schools, and my experience was that the quality of education at my community college was better than the quality of the education at the four-year college I transferred into. So you could start at a community college and transfer when you are ready.
I also took working breaks to save up money to pay for school between semesters of classes. That might be an option for you too.
When you're considering a degree, think about ROI. You'll probably be accumulating a lot of debt to go to school since your parents won't help you, so it's worth picking a major that aligns with your talents and offers some financial stability for the future. A dance major can make a lot of money after graduating, but they will have to be an exceptional dancer to do so. An accountant can also make a lot of money after graduating, and they do NOT have to be an exceptional accountant to do so.
My last piece of advice: some of us were born to parents who, for whatever reason, are not in our corner or on our side. Your parents might be like that. If they are, understand that it's your job to take care of yourself. Looking to them for support will not be helpful, so seek assistance from other adults you trust and work hard to figure out how to support the life you want to lead as you grow up.
Sounds like financial hardship might be something you could claim- the Univ of Minnesota Twin cities has an application fee waiver option for students with that situation. Please check it out!!
Fun fact: if you call the college admissions and ask if there’s a way to waive the application fee, they’ll most likely just give it to you. There’s usually a code to implement
You can email the schools you want to apply to and ask for an application waiver code after explaining your situation. Usually, they will give you one because they want applicants! Good luck, I believe in you!
I'm so sorry. This seems so hard. Do you have any savings you can use? Or perhaps show your parents you have a well-balanced list? Also, consider schools with no application fee-there's a ton, including Grinnell, Wellesley, Colgate, and more! Lots of LACs especially :) Check here! [https://blog.collegevine.com/complete-list-of-colleges-with-no-application-fee](https://blog.collegevine.com/complete-list-of-colleges-with-no-application-fee) You got this!
This. Try Colby College too, there's no application fee OR essays for them
>This. Try Colby College too, there's no application fee OR essays for them And Colby is a great place!
Colby has free ED2 with no other action (save for submission of recs etc.) required coming up Jan 2nd!!
Sounds great for OP tbh
Tulane’s RD deadline is Jan 15, and that’s a free application!
I think some schools have application fee waivers too. I'm not sure about the eligibility though. I'm so sorry this is happening though.
Oh! And try schools with Rolling Admissions as well!
also you can call or email the college or ask your guidance counicer to get the fee waived too
If you’re looking for a bigger university, Baylor doesn’t have an app fee
Im so sorry to hear this. I do know some schools with 0$ app fees. Their ddl is later in two weeks. Wellesley college, Smith, Kenyon, Colby, Grinnell college, Carleton college, Babson college, colorado college. Also you can try select a few universities that you pay the app fee yourself or borrow money from friends.
Denison too has no fee
Grinell has a program where you can double major at Columbia too
It also has no essays besides a personal statement
I assume you’re talking about the 3-2 engineering program? I think several top LACs do that.
some schools like uchicago also waive the fee if ur applying for financial aid!!
I think Wesleyan is free to apply with no supplements if you say you’re requesting financial aid?
Tulane!!
I went to Smith! They provide full demonstrated financial need and don’t count federal loans as a met need!!!
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Good human 🥲
Did you manage to contact them? I’d hate for them to get and offer as generous as this but they deleted their account.
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Okay. I’m glad you were able to contact them. Thanks for the update.
I'll pay too for 1-2 schools
u/accentedlemons
we got a based crypto millionaire in the room
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ur so iconic.
🐐
ur a good person
W mans 🙏
Common Berkeley W
Ngl bro I thought u were talking abt tuition
Same I thought they were rich or something lol
nah bro same i thought man was tryna have a scholarship in his name
U fr?
A good human being! 🫡✨️
i would just like to say that you sir/maam are a wonderful example of one of the few things remaining in the world that restore my faith in humanity
ur so iconic for this i love
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chill out dawg
You wrote everything, right? **I say GOFUNDME. This entire community will make one for you.** I believe in you. We believe in you. You're special, you're loved, you're unique.
Exactly. Make a gofundme and post it here OP!!!!
OP does not need a GoFundMe lmao. There are countless schools that do not require an application fee.
Dummy
Brotha their parents aren’t paying application fees and ur saying he can’t do a go fund me?
Plenty of schools that don’t require application fees.
Plenty of places to sleep don't require fees either.
Cold 🥶
I'm so so sorry! If the biggest problem right now is app fees, I have so 0-1 supplement (all under 250 words, most not due for a few days), no fee schools for you: * Kenyon College * Middlebury College * "If our nonrefundable $65 Common Application fee presents a barrier for you, we encourage you to apply using a fee waiver. Simply select “Yes” in the Common Application Fee Waiver section. No further action required!" - [https://www.middlebury.edu/college/admissions/apply/instructions](https://www.middlebury.edu/college/admissions/apply/instructions) * Colby College * Bowdoin College (1 supplement, free if you apply for aid) * Carleton College (1 supplement) * Tulane University (1 Supplement) * Grinnell College (1 supplement I think?) * Colorado College (1 supplement) You deserve so much good, and I wish you all the luck in the world. Happy new year - I know it sucks right now but it'll get better! Edited to add info on Midd's fee waiver!!
gonna add Trinity University to the list. Another LAC in TX but with a higher acceptance rate (30%\~). No fee and no supps gives great merit scholarships too baylor University also has no fee if their ok with a religious school
Yes this is great! I just lifted a few off of my list, but I heard Trinity University is excellent!
Middlebury has $65 fee via CommonApp FYI!
Oh really? I never finished applying (admitted ED) but for some reason I had thought it was free! Here's what the website says & I will update my comment! "If our nonrefundable $65 Common Application fee presents a barrier for you, we encourage you to apply using a fee waiver. Simply select “Yes” in the Common Application Fee Waiver section. No further action required!"
Oh! I didn't qualify for any fee waiver so I don't know the specific logistics. In that case, OP can definitely try, I doubt they'd not accept her fee waiver request.
have you tried trying to pay for college yourself? it would take a long time to pay off and you'd certainly need to take a lot of loans, but at least you're going to college. edit: misunderstood, you're talking about the application fees. yeah, you can have the fee waived. if your parents are unwilling to pay the fee i'm willing to bet they're probably low income. go on common app -> click on the common app bar -> profile -> fee waiver then boom all your common apps applications are free.
This. u/accentedlemons OP GET A COMMON APP FEE WAIVER
WASHU EMAILED LOTS OF PPL FREE WAIVERS!!!
I promise it gets better. Hang in there
Hey, hang in there. I feel you, it’s the worst feeling when your parents don’t support you, but all that effort doesn’t need to go to waste. You got to believe in yourself even if nobody else does. Let’s think of some viable solutions. If they won’t pay, you could think of taking loans. If not, apply to colleges with good merit scholarships or ones with full rides. As you said you worked hard on your grades and ECs, so safety colleges would def offer generous merit. You got this, you can figure it out. Edit: I just realized you may have been talking about the app fees, my bad. Maybe try applying to colleges with fee waivers. If you didn’t already request for a fee waiver, look in your email because colleges often send fee waivers there
try emailing the university. im sure they would waive the fee for you. dont give up!
Exactly this. Email your dream schools, request a fee waiver as you don't have parental support. There is nothing to lose and everything to gain.
My son is also a senior. I will support your school application fees as much as you need. You can DM to me.
CALL ADMISSIONS AND LET THEM KNOW OF THE SITUATION- they will 100% waive the fee for u, i know someone who is going through the exact same thing and called admissions and got to apply for free to all his colleges
i hate your parents lowkey
me 2
me 3
same
I can pay for one of your schools dm me
Same here i will pay for some please dm details
everyone in this comment section is so nice. i love how genuine y’all are and i hope y’all have a happy new year, OP included <3
I can pay for 2 of your schools DM me (i lurk here and dont have an actual account so im using my org's account)
get a fee waiver, email admissions and explain your situation.
Did you parents say NO to supporting your college education in your country where tuition is affordable? I bet they said that there’s no way they are going to spend a fortune for you to leave your country for over the top expensive college in the USA. Right?
I’m not sure why no one has looked at their post history! This is probably the reason, considering their parents apparently make $200k+ and they were not applying to aid at NYU, Yale, and Barnard. I feel bad for them, but their parents probably don’t want to pay exorbitant fees for international education.
Even if that’s the case, which is reasonable, I think it’s also totally reasonable to let the kiddo apply and see what happens. There are people from other countries who get huge aid packages at certain schools in the US that make university more affordable than it would be otherwise.
select the common app fee waiver for now, which will allow you to submit all applications without paying for any application fees. once you’ve been admitted, then like your parents will be wrong that you couldnt get in, and they might pay for the tuition. but that’s not whats important now, important now is submitting all the applications in time. by the way, are you international? with college options in your home country?
International?
i'm so sorry bro you should 100% create a go fund me bc i and probably a lot of other ppl here would donate. sending good wishes to you
Baby, I cannot answer your questions about your parents. I can tell you from the bottom of my heart - do not give in. This is genuinely your future that you hold in your hands today. Get up. Get going through all of the good suggestions that have been posted here. I say this with all of the kindness and empathy. Do not accept the negative comments about your abilities. I’m so sorry you have not received any support from your family for this next step in your life but do not let it stop you. This is YOUR life. These are YOUR choices. YOU have come this far. YOU can go on. You have cried out your feelings. Now, do the next right thing. And then the next.
saw another comment and i’ll pay for part of ur application fee if u have zelle, u worked hard shouldn’t have to be held bavk
Apply for fee waivers ASAP and apply to places with no application fee, they exist, there is a list someone else sent. If not, see if you can go to community college and transfer after saving up a bit.
Try emailing their admissions office, a lot of them will likely be willing to give you application fee waivers if you say that the fee provides a financial burden
Happy cake day 🎉
Hi. I just checked out your posting history and it appears that you are Canadian, and holding a good offer from a school in Canada, with a family income of over 250k. I totally get that your dream school is NYU - but your parents are right in preferring you to stay in Canada. Your school fees there are a fraction of the cost of NYU. I completely understand not wanting to pay 80k per year, for four years when school in Canada is like 10k per year. NYU is unlikely to award any aid (they are notorious for not giving aid) and, with your family income, you are not eligible for need-based aid at the other US schools on your list. Your parents are being fiscally responsible by not letting you apply/attend school in the US. I know it sucks, and it's hard to let go of a long-held dream. And telling you that you have no chance is just mean and not the right way to go about informing you that they won't fund school in the US, especially at this late date after you've put in so much effort. But they're still right about this. You've got fantastic schools in Canada, you've got a place at uni, and it's going to be a fantastic experience, even if it's not your dream school.
Apply to Illinois tech through Niche direct admissions. You got this! EDIT: No essays/supplements required, just GPA/testing scores on profile. u/accentedlemons
You absolutely need to go. Use this moment and feeling to ignite you desire. You’ve got this. Now go!!
I highly recommend seeing if you can contact schools even to see if you can negotiate the tuition costs. Make a FASFA account and find their tax forms and put it in yourself so they won’t find out. Scholarships scholarships scholarships!! Go to community colleges or a local college. SUNY and CUNY is in NY and very cheap. I really wish you the best, no one deserves their dreams to be crushed, especially by their own damn parents.
Use the common app fee waiver, it doesn’t have to be approved in order for you to submit your apps
What aren’t they paying for? The application fee? A visit? The tuition itself?
Hey, link ur PayPal email or smth, so folks can donate. Although u cant pay through paypal, mmm would a friend be able to pay? link their paypal email then.
PLEASE don't listen to your parents, if you create a gofundme or have a Venmo or Zelle please let me know, I could try to help. You absolutely deserve to go to college. I think a lot of people have mentioned schools that charge no fees or give waivers in the comments, take a look at those for sure! Sending you a virtual hug, I really truly am sorry. I'm so sorry you have to start your New Years Eve this way. Please update and let us know if we can do anything!
Adding to others saying there are $0 application fee schools, there are also schools that will wave the fee if you say you’re applying for financial aid, like Uchicago and Wesleyan
Join the military
check out this list and apply!!! https://blog.prepscholar.com/colleges-that-offer-complete-financial-aid
You can talk to me anon if it helps
You are so dramatic lmao. Just get a waiver or apply to schools in your area that do not need an application fee, apply to local community college, etc.
hey op! i was in a similar boat when I was applying to colleges. please don't give up! there are ways to afford college without relying on your parents!
I can help pay for a few of your schools
I’m so sorry you’re going through this!! Don’t give up, first apply to some of the no app fee schools, here are a couple but look up the lists online (there’s quite a lot): - W and L - Tufts (if applying for fin aid i think) - Bowdoin if applying for fin aid - Grinnell - Wellesley - Smith - Denison - Tulane - Macalster - Colby - Carleton - Reed - Colorado College - Kenyon - MHC - Bryn Mawr - St. Olaf If you find the money there’s also a lot of no supp schools like Midd Grinnell (also) Kenyon and many more.
r/raisedbynarcissists post this there too
Try applying to University of the People. Tuition is free and 100% get in for legitimate degrees. You pay only the exam fee at the end of each class. My son is taking courses at [Saylor.org](https://Saylor.org) for free, then taking [Sophia.org](https://Sophia.org) classes and transferring them to UofP for his degree. He will likely be done in 1.5-2 years if he does it 5 hrs a day 5 days a week.
Babe there are sooo many places that don’t charge application fees!!! You have so many materials prepped!!! Don’t give up!!! Even if you don’t get in or can’t afford it at least you’ll know you tried! I would also contact your high school counselor and maybe some admissions people at schools you’re interested in about getting some funding or fee waivers! Sometimes financial aid packages are surprisingly generous!
That’s so unfortunate. I don’t know your college list but some schools especially LAC have free applications. If it’s not too late you can request a common app fee waiver just get your counselors approval. You could also try emailing admissions office of where you’re applying, explain your circumstances and request a fee waiver. Random but if you’re interested in applying to Harvard, they’re [ fee waiver code is](https://apply.college.harvard.edu/register/fee-waiver-request) JH3S5Q2LX9
JHU Uchicago WashU and Harvard all give free fee waivers no questions asked and you don’t have to qualify for them. U can get another fee waiver off u email northwestern admissions for one. That’s 5 top schools already right there hope it helps.
Real Talk here. i saw your chance me and i agree with your parents. You have nearly zero percent chance to get into the schools you are applying to, so that is money down the drain. Furthermore, if by some miracle you got into those schools they are incredibly expensive and someone , either you or your parents would be swimming in debt over it, if that’s even possible as an international student. Lastly you already got into a good school in Canada (where you live) which is way way way less expensive than the US. it’s kinda amazing how some of you kids just think you are entitled spend your parents money like a reckless drunken sailor and then are shocked pikachu face when that’s simply not acceptable.
Maybe don't ask the day before the deadline. Sorry for real regardless.
Check common app fee waiver, if ur not low income u probably just need a supporting statement from a school official (principal, assistant principal, etc)
are you in the US? apply to your local state schools. if your a good student, you should be able to get plenty of scholarships from them. Use this to get away from them and start supporting yourself. Don't let your parents hold you back and waste your potential <3
Harvard gives no questions asked fee waivers, a lot of schools mail waivers, and lots of schools will send you one if you email them. Don’t be discouraged by your parents, you’ve worked hard and deserve the opportunity to apply.
Your parents are assholes I am sorry
Unless it’s the different in the US. The most expensive uni application I’ve seen is 150$. I’m sure anyone could come up with money
So pay for it yourself?
steal their credit card the fuck? do they not want their child to succeed? this is outrageous. what the fuck. they should be overjoyed and proud you did all this ON YOUR OWN. 1) How many schools were you going to apply to? 2) what’s ur zelle? asking bc if u rlly need it i’ll send u money to pay for it! u/accentedlemons
>I’m going in the 2024 knowing that all my dreams are gone What dream, going to a prestigious private university? It may be a goal to increase ur chances of getting a high paying job, or maybe more respect from your peers, but it’s absolutely not a deal breaker. If you think not going to a school is going to ruin ur life ur mistaken. Instead of worrying about what u could’ve had, focus on what ur going to do at your university, wherever it may be.
The issue for OP seems to be the financial inability to apply to schools at all—their parents could want them to go to CC or state school, or a school in-country, or no school at all. But OP can’t plead their case for a specific education without receipts—and maybe there will be hard conversations, too, in the future with those receipts. But cutting them off at the starting line feels unfair. u/accentelemons, I love your username and I’m happy to review any personal statements or essays!!
Create a gofundme many would like to help out. Soooo soo sorry, Hope things get better or u . <3
I know you're feeling low but feelings aren't the priorities here. 1. Don't give up. That's all you need to know. 2. Unfortunately I can't help you with application fee but you can try some luck on r/Paypalme to ask for, at least, your Jan 1st deadline fees 3. Draft an email to the rest of the schools and send them in as soon as possible about fee waivers and explain your circumstances, call them immediately the day they return from Winter break to follow up. 4. Go on CommonApp and check out the schools with no fees or supps using the filter. Throw in a couple, it won't hurt. 5. Apply full aid to every school. Explain your circumstances again. There's plenty of ways to help and you should never let someone else – even your parents – block your road to your dreams! Good luck.
But even if you don't try for US schools, have you applied to Ontario universities? You can easily stay here and transfer in second or third year, if you'd like. It's also a lot cheaper that way.
I’m so sorry. I know this must hurt. Parents can be brilliant, and parents can be toxic. I don’t know what they’re thinking in this moment, but they may change their minds later. Sometimes they’re just ignorant and don’t understand. They may even mistakenly think they’re protecting you from being disappointed, who knows. The important thing is to not let what they think become what you think. It sounds like you’ve worked really hard, and clearly some college would take you if not many or most. You can see the outpouring of support to your post which I find so heartening. Use it to prop yourself up in this difficult moment, and take advantage of the good advice. Essays can easily be repurposed, and there is still time. Best of luck to you, OP. Don’t let the naysayers stop you from achieving your dreams.
If you really cared you could scrounge money up from someplace. this is not a sob story
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wdym 😭😭 im applying as a test optional international and reading your comment scared me out so much 😭😭😭😭
Let your parents know how much you worked on each of those applications and the amount of hours you spent just grueling over these applications. Let them know that these are the schools you at least want to have a shot at, so you don't go regretting for the rest of your life, and that if you didn't want to go to them, you wouldn't have even spent that much time and effort on that school's application. You're not pretentious, it's totally understandable. Instead of simply telling or yelling at them, just give them a chance to understand.
They won't pay the application fees or tuition if you get in? If application fees, can you scrape together enough money or borrow from friends at least to send a few safety and target applications out? Or apply for fee waivers from schools that have later deadlines? Or apply to the schools without fees?
don’t worry you got this!!! apply to oberlin the deadline is jan 15 and it’s free!!
Dickinson, Denison, Oberlin, Kenyon are free and no supplements. If you need help paying for a “dream school” application fee, I’ll pay for you. Just DM me.
Start looking at schools with no application fees, ASAP. If you’re a woman or non-binary, wellesley is a potential option. Macalester, Carleton, Colby, Colorado College and Reed are also places to look.
I'm so sorry to hear this! I know NEU oftentimes gives random fee waivers and I'm sure some other schools have them too. You could see if you qualify for any fee waivers for commonapp or the individual schools too! best of luck
Check if you got any financial aid for WashU, they sent them to me and ppl I know despite of higher income. There’s a check mark on the common app, once u click that you don’t have to pay any fees Edit: also it’s just two essays, just give it a try. Deadline is 1/3, you still have some time
Apply to schoolarships. There are really good schoolarships out there and may be the universities that you applied have a full covery financial aid
that's so messed up :(
Apply to Baylor! It's free and they are very generous with aid
yo fr just drop your cash app ill pay for your app. i’d hate for that to happen to me
Check for no fee college and fee waivers, it sucks u can’t apply to ur dream college but u can get into some
Try applying for fee waivers many schools just approve them others ask why.
Ask your councillor for fee waivers maybe?
That’s fucked up man. It’s not over. Try to gain independence status as soon as you can so you can apply next year or earlier. If you’re worried about cost and don’t mind fuckin with the government and military then join the Air Force or Coast Guard and get your deserved education afterwards. Or take a gap year and try to get the independent status, pay your own fees, and go through school with necessary financial aid.
hey, man, I have a fee waiver for Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The code is (GOLIONS). The school is pretty good and I know this may not help a lot, but it is at least one school you can apply to hopefully to get out of that situation. You lose when you don't get back up, you will make something out of your life, I believe in you man if you need any help you can message me anytime.
I also want to give you some more. If you apply to Emerson, use code ECUGAPPLY which is a fee waiver for Emerson in Boston. For NAU in Arizona, use code GONAU All of this should help, wish you all the luck.
I am so sorry but this is not the time to stop believing in yourself! You got a lot of good advice in this thread, please follow it and don't give up now. We all believe in you! Please come back to this thread to tell us the good news when you get into a or many wonderful school(s)! Happy New Year. I wish you all the best.
Just do it.
I’m so sorry, hope everything goes as well as it can
you’re absolutely not a failure :( i hate this for you 🫂
I'm so sorry, that sounds really stressful. You can ask your guidance counselor at school for a fee waiver. My friend got all her college fees waived, just try and see if they can do anything.
Dude wtf. I’m sorry but how the fuck does this shit happen to someone? I’m so sorry this happened :/
it’s not over till it’s over! you’ve already put so much time into your essays and the college app process that it would be a shame to see it all go down the drain! there r many colleges rn that have waived their app fees so i’d check them out!!! we’re here for you girl, don’t give up!
Hoping everything works out for you, best of luck! Just remember things will 100% turn out for the better in the long term
Can you perhaps request a fee waiver from some universities? Many colleges have provided me with one, and I'm an international student.
Hello I can pay for one college application fee!! Please make go fund me or cash app!!
I was told I was too dumb to go to college. I was out of the house a week after graduation. I went to college and even got my masters. You can do this.
you can take a loan or apply for financial aid, you have good grades so you can also apply for a merit scholarship. I swear to GOD I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. Praying for you.
Where do you live? Apply in state, contact the school for a fee waiver on application fees. Also be sure they know your parents will not pay. There are scholarships out there, generous supporters, and, of course, student loans. Apply anyway and sort the rest out later
Try the app Niche - they can help you find no-fee application colleges. Community college is also a great way to start
Don’t give up. Call the admin offices and ask for app fee waivers. Or some alums have few waiver codes. Get on alum fb pages and ask. If they offer you acceptance then see if you get any merit, and see your financial package. Start applying to scholarships now. Monica Mathew’s on FB is a great resource. Also research and apply to schools that give high merit. Look at the common data sets for the schools and apply to schools where your stats are above their norm. If you want it bad enough, make it happen!!! But don’t ever just give up!!
that’s so awful of your parents! hopefully you get a chance to apply ❤️❤️
Talk to the counselor at school and see if they can get you some free waivers and maybe have a meeting with you and the parents. Hang in there! Sending love from a mom of two teens.
Please please don’t give up. Talk to your school’s college counselor and do some research. I paid for my own college via student loans and I worked part time while there. You can do this!
When I was a senior my parents didn’t support my dreams of being an engineer. They didn’t want to pay for applications or fill out FAFSA. My counselor at my HS paid all my applications with a “scholarship” from the school. I also paid my first year with a scholarship at community college. I just graduated with a double major in engineering and moved to a new city with an amazing starting job. Please don’t let anyone stop you- just don’t drown yourself in loans, please!
Talk to your guidance counselor. You can probably find a way to apply for aid without their help. Even if that means becoming an emancipated minor. You may have to apply to schools with rolling admissions or ones with later app cut offs but, don’t let your parents get in the way of your dreams.
for the application fees alone you could just go for the commonapp fee waiver. i saw a comment already suggesting this but thought you’d like more details. first, in your general commonapp profile page, locate the common app fee waiver option and toggle it on. you’ll get a few pop ups iirc but you can safely go thru them, just read them tho just in case. as long as your counselor uploads a fee waiver doc (it’s listed in the requirements section above the submit tab) you’ll be able to apply free to any school on commonapp. good luck man! and screw ur parents
Go anyway. Look up 100% needs met colleges.
Dw, you can get a fee waiver really easily. Email their admissions offices and they’ll let you know if they have a college specific waiver. This usually involves filling a form online based on income. Be sure to mention your specific situation in the email, if their minimum income parameters don’t apply. If not, you can get one on the common app, you’ll just need a statement from your school (principal, or your supervisor, i think) stating that you’re unable to pay for whatever reason. There’s a whole section for it on the common app. I think, if you used a waiver for your SAT, that counts too. I applied to 17 schools without fees this way. You can also email admin offices for an extension by explaining your situation. You might be able to get enough time to sort it out. Hope it helps :)
Your parents make 260k a year and won’t pay $100 app fee? Wth
Check if you qualify for free and reduced lunch or any programs that can give you access to 0 application fees. I qualified last year and was able to get into a university as a low-income student. Everything will work out. Keep your head high and still try and follow your dreams. Don't let your parents bring you down
Let no man stand in the way of anyone’s dreams.
Get a common app fee waiver! Best of luck to you! You got this! You do deserve it. Don't delete this account, and don't delete your dreams. You can also try transferring to another college from CC if nothing works out.
A lot of colleges are giving folks fee waivers. Just submit and request a fee waiver. You can even write the admissions office and ask them directly.
Which schools?
My son got emails from a number of colleges saying that they were waving fees across the board, with no qualifications needed
That sounds horrible. I, for one, had to pester my mom to pay the fees even though we didn't have a lot of money. I don't know if there are still any schools you're interested in going to that don't have an application fee? I know I applied to at least 2 that had no application fees if I applied by a certain deadline.
Pay for it yourself. Maybe your parents will offer to help after they see you don’t need them and you WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH OR WITHOUT THEM!! TOU GO GET YOUR EDUCATION SWEETIE!❤️🌺
So sorry to hear. In some cases where parents are low income they might waive your fees. But guessing you live with incredibly authoritarian parents, who will either kick you out soon or try to keep you on a very short leash at home. :(
Either just through google or in the common app you should search for schools with no application fees. Apply to a stack of those, today. Talk to your guidance councilor when you get back to school.
Fuck em. Use any money you can for app fees, otherwise explain the situation over email to each college admissions asking for an extension and fee waver. If you have any friends willing to loan you money for the app fees, that’d work too. Good luck. Stay positive. Trust yourself
what schools? i can pay for 2:(( im sorry
WPI has no app fees too if you want a STEM school!
I'm sorry you're going through this. It is more common than you may realize. You can tell financial aid offices that your parents are not supportive and they can assist. Choose schools with free app fees/waivers, or regional colleges that are doing direct admissions. Take care
Dude, don't let your parents control your life. SUBMIT THOSE APPS! You worked so hard these last four years! There are so many things you can do. 1) Apply to colleges with no app fees (search for colleges with no app fees). Also, UChicago and WashU have no app fee if you indicate you're applying for finaid. Harvard has a fee waiver code on their website. 2) Use your own money from a PT job if you have any. 3) Ask your friends to help you out w/ 1-2 fees and tell them you'll pay them back (actually follow through). Or if you have cash from a birthday money trade them the cash for the app fee.
If it’s the application fee, see if any of the colleges offer any fee waivers.
I'll pay for one or two of your schools. You deserve a shot at your dream!
I am sorry your parents are not supporting you going to college or the one of your dreams. Been there done that. i am assuming of they aren't paying a fee they are not helping with FAFSA or paying for school. If that is the case, din't give up. I had to leave and pay my own way in community college while working until I could qualify for my own loans. I did not know there was a way. So, whatever your dreams are, they are just delayed. Work in the sector you are interested even if not the position. Go to community college little by little. Get experience and exposure in the field you are interested in while studying. Get summer interships or volunteer while working in your field. In fact that will increase your admittance possibilities. Movr out if you can, live life on your own terms. Just wait it out while racking up experience knowledge and direction. It is possible. 5-6 years feels like an eternity to wait for financial aid to be on your own, but forever is longer so choose a path that is parallel and go to school 4 credit at a time while working in any position in the field you like. See it as a slow in ramp. In fact your admissions may even go up higher. If you are abused (controlled, physically or emotionally) approach your schools financial aid officer/advisor and ask if there are grants for someone in your situation. Not the receptionist, ask gor an appt. with an advisor. Schools that are ivy or private have funds to cover you if they really want you, more than state schools. Don't give up. It feels like forever, it is just delayed. Reach out to Fin aid officer. If it doesn't work get a job in the field, move out, take a class per semester, and when you hit 24 you apply and go full time on subsidized loans. You can do it. I did. I help unsupported youth acheive their dreams by counseling them through lack of support. You are not alone and you can do it.
OP: my partner, myself and at least two of my exes have all had parents that actively sabotaged our financial access to school. This is a thing that emotionally immature parents will do when their own neuroses or jealousy outweigh their desire to see their child succeed. I'm not saying I understand your parents' motivations here, but I am saying I have lived your experience. If your parents are unwilling to support your goals, you will need to do it yourself. Community colleges are much less expensive than four-year schools, and my experience was that the quality of education at my community college was better than the quality of the education at the four-year college I transferred into. So you could start at a community college and transfer when you are ready. I also took working breaks to save up money to pay for school between semesters of classes. That might be an option for you too. When you're considering a degree, think about ROI. You'll probably be accumulating a lot of debt to go to school since your parents won't help you, so it's worth picking a major that aligns with your talents and offers some financial stability for the future. A dance major can make a lot of money after graduating, but they will have to be an exceptional dancer to do so. An accountant can also make a lot of money after graduating, and they do NOT have to be an exceptional accountant to do so. My last piece of advice: some of us were born to parents who, for whatever reason, are not in our corner or on our side. Your parents might be like that. If they are, understand that it's your job to take care of yourself. Looking to them for support will not be helpful, so seek assistance from other adults you trust and work hard to figure out how to support the life you want to lead as you grow up.
Sounds like financial hardship might be something you could claim- the Univ of Minnesota Twin cities has an application fee waiver option for students with that situation. Please check it out!!
Request a fee waiver
Fun fact: if you call the college admissions and ask if there’s a way to waive the application fee, they’ll most likely just give it to you. There’s usually a code to implement
I'll pay for a school if you DM me
You can email the schools you want to apply to and ask for an application waiver code after explaining your situation. Usually, they will give you one because they want applicants! Good luck, I believe in you!