<prompt> Human: Hi, My name is Dylan. I am a 17 year old senior in highschool and i want to go to college for Music PerformanceMusic Education. Let me give you some background.I live with my 61 year old, divorcee dad is a small trailer in Rural Illinois where I am not elligible for any jobs except fast food, but the only one we have is Mcdonalds, which I quit from 6 months back because of verbal abuse from the manager.We are extremely poor, and the only way I make money is by doing hard labor for older friends who own property, and hauling iron, recycling soda cans and whatnot. I barely get by paying for internet and my car.I have been a singerperformer all my life, and have been approached by colleges this year wanting me to go. Western Illinois University and ICU. I have received multiple awards in the music field in my highschool and went to State for the choir program. Im usually known around town for my music.o I have no clue what im doing. My GPA is a 3.0 and my ACT Score was a 28 so im an okay student, but ive still gotten scholarship offers but none of them come close to covering the tuition of either school that has approached me. Ive considered taking 2 years at a closer community college, and then transferring but I dont know if I can even cover the costs of that. If anyone has some sort of advice, telling me how I should prepare or if college is even an option for me, please tell me what you think. EDIT: Thank you all for your opinions and advice. Im looking into Computer Science at a community college right now. EDIT 2: I cannot express my gratitude for the dozens of messages and the many comments ive received trying to help out. Im sorry to all the military guys here, but I cannot go into it. I have a girlfriend and a dad who is getting old and needs me here, I cant be away at basic for 3 months leaving them behind. It really means so much that you guys are giving me this advice, I feel like I have a good grip on what i want to try to do now. Thank you so so much everyone. From the bottom of my heart 3  <response>: As a former Music PerformanceMusic Education Voice student, I can say that your route is going to be difficult. If it is truly your passion, however, going to a well-rated school is absolutely necessary in order to pursue your dreams.All of what was said about FAFSA is true its 20 minutes and it can change your life, but I would be remiss if I didnt mention the scholarship opportunities created by your Major. I have a friend who is a performance major, and he affords tuition apartment with just talent based scholarships and a Church soloist job.In addition, consider the possibility of dual-majoring or making Music your Minor like I did. Im currently a Finance Major, and I still get incredible opportunities from the school of music to perform. While being in the school of business, Ive had a residency at Carnegie Hall, am a paid soloist at a church, and have sang in dozens of doctoral recitals for my ph.D friends. Music is something you can pursue as a passion without necessarily having to do it from 9 to 5. My major provides me with a financial safety net while still having time for my favorite hobby. 