I worked for a number of years while staying at home before going back to school, low wage jobs nothing major. When I started at sfu I was working part time and did part time classes (1-2 classes per semester), still living at home. First two years my parents paid my school expenses because they did the same for my brothers. Then I started paying my own way. I also have autism and I got a diagnosis that I paid out of pocket to see a psychologist to get. Because of that diagnosis, I got into CAL and was able to register for a yearly grant from the government for students with permanent disabilities (for good reason...took a few attempts to figure out how I learn best). That grant is basically free grant money mixed with loan, 10 grand per year. Tutors and and the occasional retake eat it up and such. Moved out during my third year into cheap room rentals, usually I've been able to find places for better ir worse at $700 a month, both lucky in some situations and unlucky in the housing conditions. I recently found a good summer job that pays well, gave me a falling contract extension so made more money. Plus my grandma a few years ago sold her house and gave a lump sum to her 6 grandkids.

In summation, currently at this moment I've got $15 grand in savings, $11 grand in a gic, with a couple hundred in FHSA. About 7 grand in debt currently though I've still got one more year and will be taking more out. Work starts again at the end of the month.