I faced a similar problem when I was starting college. My father is disabled and my mother passed away during my junior year of high school, so I had zero finan

I faced a similar problem when I was starting college. My father is disabled and my mother passed away during my junior year of high school, so I had zero financial support from my family for school. Due to financial considerations, I chose a state school where I had some scholarships instead of the big name tech school that accepted me. Let me tell you, I have regretted it ever since. The simple fact is that if you -can- get into a top tier school like MIT then you should go. The caliber of your fellow students will be much, much higher than at a state school, and that alone is priceless. One of the best things about college is networking and, for hackers, finding like-minded individuals to make things with. Once you factor in faculties, facilities, and opportunities, it should be a no brainer. Regarding money, almost no college students have credit history, but that doesn't stop almost all of them from getting loans. I would be very surprised if you didn't qualify for student loans, even if you have to get them from a private organization / bank. I would talk to MIT's admissions/financial aid office, as they can probably help you piece together how you can pay for things. Don't let money stand between you and your education. The connections you'll make and the experiences you'll have at MIT will be worth the extra money you pay. Of course you'll also like college a hell of a lot more. I know plenty of people who, like me, settled for a state school and have been bored out of their minds. tl;dr -- Go to MIT and find a way to make the finances work.