Is it okay to attend a college even though you're not sure if you'll be able to pay it off?

If they can afford it, might be worth it, but as a self-taught artist and designer, who has worked in a lot of corporate fields and had gallery shows, I would be careful with getting in too much debt. Are the loans in your name, or there name? Trying to intern with a local artist doing even "grunt" work but where you feel like you are getting something out of it could be worth it. Especially for young people these days and $20,000/year debt burdens and difficult opportunities, your instinct could be correct. Federal loans are better then private loans for sure. I knew an accomplished artist named Peter Kitchell once when I was younger and in 1969 his parents gave him $5000 or $10,000 to travel and he took the money and bought a Range Rover in England and drove to Africa and learned to paint there, just immersing himself in culture and art. There's lots of ways to learn, it just depends how driven you are to do it on your own, too. Do you think you have a creative vision worth sharing? Do you want commercial art? I have done both, just some things to think about. I have friends with 90K in debt from CalArts (one of the top ones in Southern California), and she is talented but how she'll ever pay it back? I have no idea and she already graduated 8 years ago. If it's a prestigious one like Chicago Art Institute, RISD, Art Center, CalArts it might be worth it, but otherwise, if it's just Art Institute of your town, maybe not. A lot of it is who you meet, how you connect. In LA the people who go to CalArts are connected and then move into the movie industry. Things to consider.

I am sorry that you are facing such a situation. If your parents are saying it is OK, then go with it; however, try help out. Look for paid internships and try to help out. Moreover, apply to scholarships. That would help you out paying for your education also. Below there are three websites of art scholarships. I hope you the best.

https://colleges.niche.com/scholarships/interest/art-and-design/
https://www.unigo.com/scholarships/by-major/art-scholarships
https://www.scholarships.com/financial-aid/college-scholarships/scholarships-by-major/art-scholarships/

This is a reality for so many students - a great education at a great (expensive) price! It can seem overwhelming when you look at the figures, I'm sure. I like to think of it this way: this is an investment in yourself! Think of all those people who buy houses at hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why do they do it? Because its a place to call home, raise a family, have something stable, etc. It's an investment that builds value over time. That is how I like to think of college. An investment, that over time, will benefit your income, your mind, your lifestyle, and probably your overall happiness. It's not tangible, like a house, but it is a path to a better life for yourself. I hope that helps you to wrap your mind around this exciting journey. Best of luck!

Good recommendations. I will also recommend you research the starting salary and success of the alumni of your school who are working in your field. It will help provide you additional information to enable you to decide to :
1) Continue along your current path in your current school
2) Or to change schools to one with more success for their alumni in your field
3) Or to better utilize your time, energy and funds to pursue a major in a different career at your current school or at a different school

This way you will be able to determine if your current concerns are justified. The time and efforts you put into this research will certainly be worth it. Best Wishes for Success!

Hi!

Hopefully going to art school was your wish and not one forced upon you by our parents. It is important to enjoy what you are studying, as you are preparing to hone a craft that you can use throughout your life to make it enjoyable, fruitful, and beautiful. If it is not your wish, you should approach your parents now before time goes on and more money is ill spent - and share with you parents your real passion.

You can be sure that your parents have a great amount of faith in you to develop the talent that they see that you have!

You can begin to repay them by studying as seriously as you can to make the most of the opportunities that your school has to offer, learn all that you can, and get the best possible grades.

You owe it to yourself and to your parents to develop your talent to their fullest extent possible.

Best of luck! Enjoy the journey!