Not sure if this is where I should post on this topic, but ... moderators please feel free to move me 

My son shares an apt with three other guys who are also in college.  D (my son) has an associates degree from the local community college & one year under his belt at another 'local' university.  Problem is, he owes the univ ~$6500 & they won't let him return until he has, like, $4500 of that paid off & the rest on a payment plan.  My boy has a job & is working side jobs whenever possible.  He desperately wants to finish his degree.  He's so desperate, in fact, that he has applied several times for work in Iraq as a civilian because he heard the money was great.  (Thankfully that company has never responded to his applications.)

Now however he says if he doesn't find a way to pay off the univ by next summer, he's going to enlist.  Before anyone says anything about the pros & cons of the military, please understand our situation.  My son is not interested in serving his country at this point.  He just wants money for college & that seems like the only way to get it.  BUT I keep having people tell me "there's money out there, you just have to look for it".  So WHERE IS all THAT MONEY?

D has a private loan that his dad (my exhusb) co-signed for.  He also has another student loan (I think).  He was offered an $8500 athletics scholarship to return to univ this year but couldn't because, like I said, they won't let him return until he pays them off.   I've told him to fill out the FAFSA form again because the rules have changed & he may not have to include his parents' income.  My husb & I can't help him financially.  We lived financially unresponsible lives & are over our heads in debt.  (If we can get approved after the first of the year we're going to try to get a loan that will ultimately keep D out of the military & in school.  He doesn't want us to do this because he knows our situation, but ... well ... he really doesn't want to go in the military either.  All he wants is to finish his degree & start his 'professional' life.)  His father apparently can't (or won't) help him financially other than by co-signing for that one loan.

My husb says there are companies that will find scholarships & college money for you, for a fee of course.  Is anyone aware of a company like that?  Are they legit or just interested in capitalizing off our desperation?

I appreciate any advice ya'll can give us.

My boy says he's done that & all they tell him is to 1) complete the FAFSA form & 2) apply for private loans.  They seem to be no help at all.  Maybe they're not like other financial aid counselors ... I guess that's why we were thinking about the for-a-fee guys.

He also called FAFSA & tried to talk to them about the parental information thing - but all the woman told him was that if he didn't like the rules he should call his congressman.  I know my boy - he didn't get smart with her & warrant this attitude from her.  ARGH!  It's very frustrating.

According to the Univ. he'll have to pay off $4500 now & set up the rest on a payment plan.  Like that's even close to possible.  I can honestly see how he'd think going to Iraq & working for $300 a day would solve all his problems.