Paying for college without private loans?

I have been admitted to the cheapest school in my state. The tuition is $7,000 per year. The room and board is $7,500 per year. Personal expenses are $2,000 per year.

$16,500 per year will be the total. I am 24 years old. I will receive $4,300 a year from the pell grant and I can borrow $3,500 my first year with stafford loan.

Where do I get the other $7,000+ from?? I will be going for engineering, so I would need to devote a lot of my time to school work. Even if I did work 20 hours a week, it still wouldnt cut it. During the summer I will have to work full time just to scrape by until the fall semester when I can start borrowing again. Parents will not give me a dime.

You guys talk about scholarships, but I am really doubtful I will get any because I am a white male high school drop out, GED recipient.

Is there something I'm missing? You should be able to goto a state school without having to get money from private lenders who kill you with interest.

You are in a touch situation. Try going to (www.scholarships.com) to see what grants you may be eligible for. You'd be suprised. There is something for everyone there. Good luck, hope this helps.