Can someone with no job or financial support get a PhD in Physics?

[Gamma Male]

So I was wondering, is it at all plausible for someone who can't really except any financial support from his family to be able to make it all the way through undergrad and gradschool at a respectful university without incurring gigantic student loan debt? I plan on quiting homeschooling and reinrolling in public school next school year(for family reasons) so I'll have a full diploma and not a just a GED. What sorta assistance programs can I expect to make use of, and what should I avoid? Also, assuming I get excellent grades all throughout highschool and am willing to seek them out, what are my odds of getting grants or even a full scholarships? Also, what universities are better when it comes to financial aid? I hear MIT is great for poorer students and that their financial aid program is need-based, not merit-based, but that they are extremely demanding and difficult to get into.
I'm more looking for good resources, planning guides, and useful websites then I am straight up answers, but if you actually have experience with this stuff I'd love to hear it.


And yes, I'm aware of how difficult and timeconsuming studying physics is. This is why I don't count on having a job in Collage.(Except perhaps in the summer) But I'm confident in my intelligence and ability to comprehend the study material as long as I work hard.

[sqishy]

I can't really help, apart from saying I might (maybe not) be in a similar situation as you, might end up getting a PhD in physics too, but it could be philosophy or psychology.

[DiamondsGirl]

These days you can do anything just by googling it. I searched, applied, got admitted and won four different scholarships in Michigan State without anyone's help but Google. On my way to applying (and while reading about various universities) I came across quite a number of full scholarship links for students lacking financial support. I think I saw most of it in collegeboard.org

I'm sorry I can't help much but I wish you the very best of luck.

[Typhlosion]

I hate to be bitter, but the academic road is not an easy nor pleasurable one to take. My father can't get any job, and he has a PhD in physics as well. Once in a while he tells how he regrets going to Physics at all, even if it was his only choice. Be sure of what you're doing.

I can't answer fully this question because CNPQ, Brazil's National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, had offered him the opportunity of studying and paidhim to study in the U.S. (furthermore, he had the option between OSU and MIT, he chose the former).

[Lonely teen]

Sorry but its very, very, and I mean very unlikely.

[Mushin]

Sure, but it's unlikely and certainly not easy. After finishing an undergraduates program you can actually get payed to continue attending the university if you have high grades and participate in your classes (it's rare though). My physics teacher had this opportunity. He was payed to live on campus, continue a graduates study, and work as a research assistant for the university. Pretty cool, right?

But you also have to ask yourself if it's really worth it. Even if you get into an honorary program for you graduate studies your debt from undergrad is already going to make you nauseous every time you ready your bank statement. Do some research on actual career rather than just a degree you want. PhDs are unnecessary in most fields. It's a waste of money honestly. 100k + for an extra three letters after your name? The debt isn't worth it.

Also, physics is not hard. There is no field of study that is hard. However, there are fields that require a lot of work, time, and effort. The problem with school isn't understanding the concepts, it's being able to balance everything else in your life. As a college student you have to essentially guide your own life (unless you're lucky enough to have your parents continually wipe your ass.) Homeschooling doesn't really make that situation any easier, it's a huge transition.