What is the best thing to do when trying to break away from the family and pay for college on my own? Urgent.?

My parents are going to be cutting off the payments for my college. I know this seems a bit crazy, but they do not support me as a person, there is a lot of family problems going on, and I need to break away from this. They are always threatening to pull me out of college and how I will never succeed, and they are just always trying to bring me down. I can't live with this connection anymore.

I am a great student, I just finished my first year with a 3.4 GPA. I am in school for graphic design in New York City, and just recently even opened my own website for my work.

What can I do, where do I look? I am trying to find some kind of financial aid.

FAFSA seems best, but they require information about your parents, I really want to cut off all ties with my family and do this independently.

Anyone have any advice? Thank you.

Generally, if you work FOR the college, you can get tuition free. You will have to work full-time, but since you will be 'on campus' you will still have convenient access to classes, and other college resources. Best of all, you won't have to depend on anyone else, or pay back any student loans when you graduate. I suggest you go to the Human Resources department of your college, and see what postings they have! Best of luck

Go see the campus financial aid office on Monday, first thing. They are pros at this, so ask them.

Congratulations on completely your first year. I am sorry to hear that you have a difficult family situation. You should go to your college financial aid office as soon as possible and speak to the counselors there.

They will be able to find you the best solutions for your education continuing without having parental financial support. They will also be able to find you a listing of the best grants available for those studying graphic design. That way you would not have to worry about paying that money back once your graduate.

You keep your eye on the prize of graduating and doing well, that is the best decision for your life. You are an adult, and can stand on your own two feet and do very well. Best of luck to you, you sound like a very determined and intelligent young person.