Grants and Scholarships

How can I convince my family to let me go to Texas Tech?

Tech is the perfect school for me. It has everything I need as far as academics go, and the price for a year is still a lot... but not near as much as I thought it would be. Seriously, though... Tech is PERFECT for me. However, my family doesn't want me to go there. They think it's too far away (7&1/2 hours) and they won't have the money as I was informed I don't have a college fund. If I don't go to the college they want me to go to (community college), they more than likely won't pay for it. So, I'm trying to get into the top 10% so I qualify for a bunch of scholarships and I'll definitely be able to go to Tech. It's really hard though, because my class is SO competitive. But if I don't get the scholarships/grants to go to Tech, how can I convince my parents to let me go there? Tech isn't really my dream college. I'm settling for Tech. My parents INSISTED I go in-state, and Tech is the only place I can find that offers everything I need academically. NYU is my dream school.

Public Comments

1. Well, first of all, don't get your hopes set so high on one college. I know that Purdue is my dream college, but I'm keeping my eyes open for other colleges to in case I don't get in. Anyway, scholarships won't pay for everything, believe me. They'll help, but if you have no college fund in the first place, you'll still be in serious debt at the end of your higher education experience. The truth is though, your parents can't tell you where to go. You're 18 at that point, they don't control you anymore. Especially if you don't have a college fund, you really should just go anyway if it's that important. Financially, if keeping them happy doesn't help you at all, just forget about them. They're holding you back for extremely stupid reasons. I'd say a few choice words to them, if I was their daughter. Hope this helps!
2. If you have good — rather than "romantic" — reasons to attend Texas Tech, then you should try to make your case with your parents. Ultimately, whoever pays is whoever decides what school is funded. If your parents don't want to pay for your favorite school, then wait until you can accumulate or borrow the funds yourself. If you accept the debt, then you can decide where you go to school. Your parents don't owe you an education...
3. My friend Logan goes to Texas Tech and absolutely loves it. She said the academics are great and so are the people. You should plan a trip with your parents to go check the school out and maybe they will change their minds. You can get a student loan like most people do.