How can someone who is academically and financially under qualified get into Stanford University?

First, congratulations on re-invigorating your love of knowledge — that sounds like a tremendous step forward regardless of whether or not it results in admission to Stanford. I am currently a sophomore majoring in computer science and I can say the experience has been incredible. I wouldn't put much stock in the anonymous answer; the love for learning at Stanford has been strong in my experience, and I was fortunate enough to choose between Stanford, Harvard, Princeton etc. for undergrad so I have some basis for comparison. Here's my advice to you: First, completely destroy the SAT. Try to get a perfect score. With enough preparation it's very possible. I'm talking 10+ self-graded practice exams. This could help the adcom see your talent and work ethic and potentially make them weigh your HS grades less strongly. Second, really tell your story in your application. Because Stanford is selective, you'll have to get that part absolutely perfect to even stand a chance. And make it sincere. Write from the heart and it makes a difference. Your story, I think, is your biggest asset. And honestly, even if it doesn't work out (which, realistically, is likely to happen), it sounds like you're putting yourself on the right track in life following your passion and learning. Seriously, yours is an incredible story and I wish you success in your future.

I think the advice to do undergrad elsewhere and then grad school at Stanford is worth considering.  I was a 19 y/o who was not interested in college and was anxious to get out into the world.  It was the right thing for me.  I made some money and some investments that I probably wouldnt have otherwise. Eventually I did my undergrad at a state school and did well enough to be admitted into a top 10 grad program at USC.  When people look at my credentials state school doesn't matter, USC does. If you do not get into Stanford for your undergrad do not be discouraged.  Stand out where ever you end up and Stanford may be in the cards soon enough.

First off, do not let financial issues deter you from applying to Stanford! Stanford has one of the best financial aid programs in the country, and is committed to making Stanford affordable for all admitted undergraduate students. Check out their handy Financial Aid Calculator to get an idea of how much you would be expected to pay or take out in loans: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/how/calculator/index.html What you should focus your energy on is finding a way to present yourself as a competitive candidate. I would say most Stanford students and alums think of themselves as "lucky" to have been admitted. I certainly feel that way-- if I would have gotten a rejection letter, I would not have been surprised. With an acceptance rate that seems to get smaller and smaller with every passing year, you can imagine that even applicants with perfect GPAs and national awards and glowing letters of recommendation don't always make the cut. That said, Stanford is dedicated to evaluating applicants holistically, meaning they will look at more than your test scores and GPA to determine whether you'd be a good fit. Still, you will want to "prove" that you are now ready to be serious about your education. One way to do that is to enroll in a community college and do really well there. Stanford does accept a small number of students who previously attended community college, so it is possible to make that leap! I am personally impressed at your initiative to teach yourself computer science-- a great letter of recommendation from your manager would probably help highlight your intellectual strengths. You might also consider finishing your bachelor's degree then applying to Stanford as a graduate student. While master's programs can be pricey, if you are truly interested in learning for learning's sake, PhD programs are free and come with a decent stipend. P.S. You might want to check out this Quora post by a current Stanford physics professor who also initially dropped out of college:

Realistically, I don't think it is possible. Now, certainly Stanford admits for non-traditional reasons sometimes, but I think what it would take in your case would be having a significant independent achievement you can point to (starting a successful company, for example). And beyond that it would take a good deal of luck. Actually, I think it's much more realistic to try to be admitted as a graduate student. Graduate admissions are all about content, potential, and achievement, whereas undergrad admissions focus on things you know are pointless already, like test scores and grades. So I'd suggest self-teaching enough computer science that you're confident that you have mastered the undergrad CS curriculum, find some references (at work for example) to vouch for this, and apply to grad school. Second, I will point out that you would definitely be disappointed even if you could get in to the college. Stanford may be more competitive than other schools, but I don't think it has a stronger love of learning than other places. In fact, when student get into both Stanford and, say, Harvard, the ones who choose Stanford are the ones who like to take it easy (which is not a bad thing, necessarily, but it is what it is). If you want a school that prioritizes the love of learning, try U. Chicago.