How much for living expenses will I get from financial aid?

Ok its kind of hard to answer this. Judging from your low tuition, I'm guessing that rent is very low where you live as well, so that can be a plus for you. I've had to work full time while going to college full time, but I've had to make quite a bit more than that to get by. Keep in mind that financial aid has to be repaid, unless you have scholarships and grants, and schools are cutting back on those. The good part about working full time while I'm in school (I currently have a supervisory position, previously worked in social work) is that I will be leaving college with years of documented proof that I can hold down a job while dealing with life. Most graduates worked weekends at Starbucks, if that. So if you can work a decent job while taking classes, I'd say go for that. You'll likely be up for a promotion at graduation. Its very hard, but worth it. BUT I did start out by taking only 3 classes while working full time, and have moved that up to 4 each semester. Also, take summer classes. It gets you done a little faster. If you want to be involved in campus activities, don't work. Try for the financial aid. If your family is very low income, you'll likely get enough aid and some scholarships. Also, since you are applying at a community college, they generally are very good for people who have to work. That also will give you the time to find a good school to transfer to that would offer many different class times. I wish I'd known about that when I was applying to college :) If you decide to try for extra aid, make sure to put down that you need extra money for living expenses, and apply BEFORE the due date!!!! If you apply after you automatically are not eligible for all of the possible grants (at least thats how it is here).... if you want to take summer classes, save some of the aid $ for that too. Good luck!!