At age 24 i would receive federal and state grants based on my income alone. those along with a scholarship, will make it so my tuition is pretty much paid for in full. If i go now i will graduate with about 30k in loans.
If i wait i wont have my career until my late 20s but ill be debt free. But others will be 25 with their careers. I will feel behind. What to do!?!
you need to calculate your lost wages for the 5 or 6 years you will be waiting to get your degree.. plus you need to calculate how much you will have lost by not getting even cost of living increase on your wages during those same years. You are going to find out that number will me many times the $30K in student loans... clearly go now and get your degree --- also don't forget the cost of college will have gone up during that same 5-6 year period. The decision is really a no brainer.
What do you plan to major in and what career? If it's a career that needs a degree (and a degree that will get you jobs), then 30k in loans is not that much compared to others.
I was in your position too and worked part-time through college and came out with about 20k in loans; tuition was about the same. I make enough money with my career that 20k is easily manageable.
Once you've reached that level, focus on paying off your credit-card debt and loans one at a time. Start with the smallest dollar amount, not the highest interest rate, since it's more empowering to eliminate a debt entirely than to see it decrease slowly,
right now I'd suggest you work and take a course or two at a time at your local community college and live at home and pay them off, then take another course or two and pay them off. Eventually you'll get where you want to be. It took me 20 years to get my degree. I know it's hard but it's what people do.
I already work almost full time but thats for living expenses and rent. I am on my own. Nothing left for any tuition.
