Where does your money come from

When coming to Columbia, I was faced with a dilemma. I had to find a way to pay for school. So I applied for the FAFSA and a few grants to get the ball rolling. I knew that my education history was in no kind of shape to go asking for scholarships. I was going to save that for the following year when I have proven myself.
I received a award letter detailing loans and grants. I completed the FAFSA months ago however, I did not receive the letter until it was too late to apply for the grants listed in it so most of the years money will be paid in loans rather than grants.
I had a meeting scheduled with the Student Financial aid Services office. They asked me a few questions and asked if my parents were taking out a loan. I told them no, then they asked if I was getting one of them to cosign. Again, I told them no. They looked at me like I was on crystal meth. I even asked why they were looking at me so crazy. They they told me that almost no one comes in there without a parent taking up a Stafford loan or a cosigner for the plus loan.
I told them that it is because my dad chose the army and my mom got through school on her own. Without the help of anyone so my parents believe that if I really wanted to go to college then I will have to find a way myself.
Truth be told, I wouldn't be here unless I want to be a journalist with all my heart and soul. This isn't a way out of town for me. This is my future. So I'm faced with a much greater dilemma, I have no credit and how am I suppose to come up with the money to pay for school. What high school grad has the money to pay for college?
I think I'm a talented writer that will only get better with every piece of writing and coarse I take. But without college this world will never see what I write. Yes I know that so many people in this world got big and produced their work without the help of college but that was not today.
In this day and age you absolutely MUST have a college degree to be taken seriously. Peter Jennings would never make it to TV without a degree. It's this fact that kills me.
Even though the statistics prove that Harvard drop outs make more money on average than Harvard graduate doesn't mean going to bridge then going home will make my goals a reality.

So my question is: what are you guys doing about financial aid? Does anyone know how I can get around this wall? If not then I honestly don't see why I should finish bridge if this bridge will only lead me back to where I came from.
Back to before that first paper I typed ever meant anything to me. Back when it was just paper. Back to bussing 6.15 an hour, and no way out. To end this, I will use a graduation cliche I listed earlier, "Give them hell!" If you have everything all cool and snazzy for Columbia, give this city hell. Don't go back to your high school ways and slack off. It won't be worth it in the end.