What to do about paying for college?

If you don't qualify for financial aid and your parents can't afford to pay out of pocket then you'll have to take out loans. Most people do it, and if you do it right you won't have any problems. Some schools do give out merit-based aid but its usually not much, not nearly enough to cover the cost. Your parents should be able to chip in so you shouldn't have to borrow that much. Maybe you could try to have a mature discussion with them about how they should be more responsible with their money. I'm sure they want to see you go to college so they should help.