<prompt> Human: Hey Reddit. I dont normally post but I feel Im at a crossroads and was hoping for advice. I attend a private university, I got in only because I was offered a generous scholarship and the school was pretty close by. Im entering my third year and unfortunately Ive been hit by what seems like a barrage of bad news. My mother had always been of a sickly disposition, but now it seems it has finally caught up with her. She has been in and out of the hospital since April and its not looking too good. Formally the primary breadwinner of the family, Cancer has weakened her immune system and it has progressed to the point that she is no longer able to provide. With my father out of the picture I was forced into a circumstance where I need to cover my and my younger sisters expenses. Since April Ive picked up two decent paying jobs, and have been doing what I can to fill in for her. While assisting with her medical bills make it difficult for me, Ive been mostly capable of paying my own rent and bills up until this point. However, I have school starting soon, and its going to put me in a situation where I will have to choose whether to help my mother or pay part of my tuition. Im no longer eligible for the scholarship, and I know that when school starts it will be hard for me to maintain the same hours I do during the summer. Im left with few options, but I would really appreciate a strangers advice as to what actions I might take. Im also considering declaring financial independence from my mother, under the assumption that it may open up other student loans I might take out. I dont know too much about that, though, and I dont want to be too hasty. Thanks everyone  <response>: When my mom was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer I was a sophomore in college. I immediately dropped out, went home, and got a job to help my family out, its what I had to do and I dont regret it. It took four years for my mom to beat the cancer and I went back to school at 23 turns out when you turn 24 in America you become financially independent. Since Im a full time student and dont work fasfa pays for me to go to school. So in the end it actually saved me money, sure all my friends graduated 2-3 years ago, but I wont have debt coming out of college when I finish at 26. 