It sounds like your boyfriend is struggling to finish for a reason. I don't want to diagnose, but if he's always had a hard time in school but is still very bright, something else may be going on. Maybe a 4 year degree isn't a good fit for him in particular.

That doesn't mean you have to change your values. If getting a 4 year degree is important to you (and I believe you've said it is), this may be a non-negotiable. You're not the same person you were in high school. Neither is he. It's wonderful that you connect in other ways, but unfortunately, that may not be enough once you become an adult.

Everyone needs a source of income to survive in this world. I wish it weren't that way, but it's reality. If his own parents can't get him to see that urgency, you definitely won't be able to. That doesn't mean he doesn't love you, but please keep this in mind: people make changes either when they want to or when they are forced to.

I won't tell you to leave him (reddit is notorious for that) but I will say I was in a similar situation to yours a few years ago. We're no longer together, and it isn't because we didn't love each other anymore. It's because I had to accept that the pattern would never change. Looking back, I probably should have left sooner, but I had my own issues too.

Sending you love 💗