[mware]

I've got a 17 year old planning to head off to college next year. Government says I make too much for him to qualify for ANY financial grants

Sounds like what happen to me. Folks made too much for me to get any kind of financial grants, and too little to pay for college.

I eventually got to college after working three years and saving my money. Went to school during the day and a job in the evening to make gas money and help out my parents for letting me stay at home.

Actually I would recommend to all college students to work for a few years before going to college. You take it very seriously when you are paying for your education.

[usconservative]

I worked four different jobs paying my way through college. I didn't get any help from my parents (who told me to either start paying rent or "get out" the day after I graduated high school) and the Government said I didn't qualify for financial aid because my parents (who made me pay rent to live at home) "made too much money."

I finished in three years, you're highly motivated to graduate as quickly as possible when you're the one paying for it.