Anybody remember the long thread I made ages ago about college? I said some shit about how I was worried I wouldn't get in anywhere etc etc. My grades sucked and my high school counselor looked me straight in the eye and said "you're not going to get into any of these colleges." Way to shoot down a guy's spirit, you jerk.

But guess what. I got into a great college that I've made the decision to go to next year. The University of Toledo in Toledo, Ohio. 

So here's the problem. Total tuition will be around $20,000 (that's social expenses, books, room and board etc included). That's a lot of bones. The cost for classes isn't that enormous, around $7000 or $8000. But they get you with room and board being the same price, therefore doubling your costs. Freshman are required to live on campus.

I've got a slightly complicated family finance situation. My parents divorced. My mother got remarried and moved to a different city, while still having custody of me. I live 20 miles away with my grandparents (who are NOT my legal guardians). I'm trying to fill out a FAFSA (financial aid from the federal government). You have to include all your parents' tax information for the year along with their networth, monthly payment shit, etc. All kinds of bullshit. This takes 4+ weeks to do. The problem? The priority deadline is APRIL 1.

Just filling it out is hell. I have to figure out whose tax info I'm supposed to use and get all these damn papers from people. My father (birth father, not step-father) claims me on his 2008 tax returns. So I figure I need to use his shit, which only makes things better. He makes around $9,000 a year. Hell, I could make that much in a year. Since he makes so damn little the government will give me more money.

All this becomes fucking pointless if UT won't accept my completed FAFSA after April 1. I'm hoping they still will. I've emailed them about my problem and haven't heard back yet. If I can't go to college next year because I can't afford it my spirits will be crushed into dust. I'll have to take a year off and try again next year. If I do that I'll have to say an extremely difficult goodbye to my girlfriend. She's going there. It's 3 hours away, so I couldn't see her regularly. I think that's my worst fear. Other than that I'll have to spend another year with my grandparents, which isn't an enjoyable thing. That is unless I get an apartment, but I have no money, can't find a job, and don't even turn 18 until September.

There you have it. I hope I'm not fucked. Discuss. Bitch. Advise.

I know it won't take 4 weeks to fill it out. Yeah, I can surely have that finished within the week. But apparently the processing time is 4 weeks. That's what I'm worried about. AND I haven't even received my electronic PIN yet.

wait if your parents don't declare you their info doesn't matter, and if they're not legal guardians, you're fine.

oh wait your grandparents are.

regardless this sounds like not much of a problem.

Well no, my grandparents have nothing to do with it. My dad claims me as a dependent on his 2008 tax returns. I don't know if that makes him a legal guardian to me or what.

if he claims you, use his info

Yeah, that's what I'm doin'. I guess what I'm gonna have to do is call him up and make plans to bring my laptop and sit down with him and fill it out together. Which will be pretty akward because I haven't had a conversation with my father in about 5 months.

Also thanks for the college advice, I'll use it

...is gonna be the day that they're gonna throw it back to you. by now, you shoulda somehow realized what you've got to do. i dont believe that aanybody feels the way i do,, about ya noooww. back beat the word is on the street that the fire.. .akgdg

dont worry, im ready