<prompt> Human: For the longest time, my parents said that they would pay for college. I told them that I would take care of my own bill, but they insisted on paying for me, so I refrained from taking out loans. My classes start tomorrow and my mom just told me that she isnt going to pay for any of it. My total bill for the first semester is about 6k and I have 2k saved up. I am currently working and will work throughout the semester, but thats only going to get me another thousand. Im working fewer hours because my parents insured they would pay. I thought I would just focus on school. The problem is that there is no way I can get 4k. Im not sure if it is too late to take out loans. I was just planning on not paying the full bill this semester and working longer hours next semester to pay fully. Im panicking right now and extremely stressed out. The due date to pay for school is coming soon. My question is: Should I not pay the full thing or should I drop a few classes to be a part time student, which lowers my bill.  <response>: This might be tipping into rrelationships territory, but what caused your mother to change her mind? Is she a volatile person who often makes permanent decisions on a whim making it less likely that you want to reopen the issue, or is she usually more level-headed? Is this a result of a fight that the two of you had? If so - are you in the wrong? Sometimes some well-timed eating of crow can have wondrous effectsYour first best option is to somehow get your parents to change their minds back. Your tuition fees shouldnt be due until the end of the month, maybe later, and if you talk with the administrationbursarwhoever, you might be able to work out a payment plan that will take you further through the year. If things are heated, wait for them to calm down, and then approach your parents again. Explain that against your first instincts, you had made decisions based on the assumption that you wouldnt need to save the full tuition amount. Try to negotiate, and give up ground if you have to - ask if your parents can lend you money rather than paying outright, or if they will cosign on a line of credit or a loan with you. 