<prompt> Human: This fall I will start at University At Buffalo. Currently 13 out of the 23 thousand dollars is payed for by the federal government. Another 5500 is Covered by subsidized and subsidized loans that I apparently have to take out. What do I do for the remaining money for room and board as well as other expenses? Unfortunately I am in pretty steep poverty and the 450 deposit alone was a big hit for my family. I very much would like and will work in college but I dont see a way how that will close the gap. What do I do in my situation and what resources are out there to educate myself on what I should do?Assistant: Heres what I would do if I were you. Id get your money back. Then I would go to a community college for 2 years and transfer to a bigger school afterwards. Community colleges are great and by the sounds of it you will be completely covered there by financial aid. This way you can work and get the money to pay for the last two years by continuing to work and perhaps taking out a small loan. This would be the best and least expensive way to pursue college for you.Human: Although yes the plan you outline is the plan many people have and it does make more sense from a straightforward financial prospective. I guess I just wanted to get out of New-York city as i have been living, working and studying the same cycle since I was a freshmen.I guess I am looking for an escape, and going to Bmcc is definitely more of the same for me with the same people. I have had many friends that had this plan that ended up getting a useless associates degree and did not peruse their education further. And others who drop out even earlier. I guess what I am asking is what can I do to make the best out of a bad situation.  <response>: Dude you live if you live in NYC and can still live at home, CUNY is your best bet. Thats going to be a lot of debt hanging around your neck from wanting to just get out of the city. You can always work anywhere else after school, or try to get scholarships to graduate school outside the city. 