I'm sixteen and the oldest of two daughters. My mom is single and can barely make ends meet, even when she's occasionally borrowing money from me. I'm a waitress, and a straight-A student but still I have little chance of going to college for four years, let alone getting a PhD in Psychology like I've dreamed since I could spell it.

Has anyone had to go through extensive financial aid, or has ideas for me anyway? I'm already writing scholarship papers and working like crazy on the PSAT's.

Also, is it recommended to go to a smaller (read: cheaper) college for your undergrad and then transfer to your ideal college for your grad degree?

I take it you are from the US?

You may be in luck because lots of US universities offer substantial scholarships if you do well in your SATs and have letters of recommendation.

Another way may be to take a few credits at a community college or junior college and then go onto a regular college from then at your own pace (which may allow you to work and study at the same time).

I know of several who have done the latter and it has worked out well for them.

For psychology I think it depends on what you want to do. If you want to do a research PhD you can get funding around the time you apply from various research bodies, but for applied doctorates (like clinical psychology) you usually have to fund yourself (unlike in Britain).

First of all, good for you for planning ahead and valuing your education. I am not an expert on the financial aid picture in the US, but there are significant offerings from the Federal Government to lower income families to help fund higher education ( money that you do not have to pay back). Generally US universities if they accept your application put together a financial aid package for you, which may include work study options, scholarships within the university, information on grants from the US federal government, and so forth. There are also tax credits and deductions available in some circumstances for higher education costs, so that might be another financial help in the long run. I

think that most US PhD programs offer some kind of financial assistance, again, some offer Graduate Teaching Positions that help pay living expenses, and may waive or reduce your tuition and fees. If you are able to get good undergraduate grades, then it will help you get into better universities for the graduate work ( the use of "postgraduate" in the US has the same meaning as "post-doctoral" in the UK, I do believe, so do not get confused reading these boards).

I think the US also requires a Masters degree before you get into PhD programs, although I am not sure if that is true across the board. Finally, do not overlook the possibility of education at a UK or other foreign university for your undergraduate or graduate degrees. The tuition and fees in the universities for PhD work is actually less than at some US universities--so it is worth looking into.

Good luck!

Also, are you able to take college ( as in the American sense of the word, university to UK posters/readers...college in the US is used to refer to what the UK calls university) level courses for credit through your US high school?

I definitely have the option of work programs and the similar through college, and had already planned on doing as much as I can. Sleep is already an optional thing for me The only college course available at my school is a mathematics course that I've planned on taking, and an AP English course that I'm already enrolled in.

Thanks so much for the help, I really appreciate the advice and information. International study may be difficult for me financially because my mother is very dependant on me.

Surely there is some kind of college prep guidance counselor at your school who could help you start to sort out your options? Also, even if there are not specific courses on offer at your high school, perhaps special arrangements could be made for you to have access to additional college credit courses while you are still in high school. You sound very bright and motivated--I would hope that you get a lot of supportive guidance from your current high school and teachers. Can you talk to the Financial Aid offices at the colleges you are interested in attending and see what they might have on offer generally?

Also, I don't know if you are looking at moving away from your local community for school, but don't overlook the possibilities of high rated Ivy League and other schools. They might have good alumni contributions for scholarships--I have read where most of the students at these universities have generous financial aid packages to help them attend. Best of luck.