the admission told me I had to either have a child or be married in order to go off of my own income, or 26..

No they don't lol haven't for years. and I guess that's what they do in the state of ND. @autumn

Do they claim you on their taxes? That should be the only way that you have to go off of their income. Once you're not a dependent anymore (like if you're living on your own) then you would go off of your own income, regardless of being married or not.

I do not qualify for any financial assistance whatsoever. they go off your parents income until you're 26 since I'm not married, and I haven't given birth yet. my dad makes way too much money.. which is stupid because I don't live with him or see any of his money, I support myself. the first thing the lady at admissions told me after she figure sout how much my dad made, was if I'm not married and since I don't have a kid (yet) I have to pay for everything out of pocket. @autumn

Have you filed a Fafsa application to see if you qualify for any grants?

You may have to suck it up on the student loans at some point. I did and am still paying it off but so glad I did it. So many more open doors and the sooner you do it the longer you have to maximize the potential income for the higher education!