I have been there, and it sucks. As an undergrad I couldn't get loans because my parents wouldn't file their taxes correctly (so I couldn't complete a FAFSA) and I was under 24 - but not emancipated. I had such a wacky school schedule that it took forever to get a job even waiting tables. After I was thoroughly exasperated and one manager told me to come back in the summer when my schedule opened up, I finally told him that I'd be homeless by then. At least they hired me. I spent my last two semesters in a house without heat because of an error on the landlord's part (unfortunately, he was a lawyer and the son of a prominent lawyer and no one would take him on legally). I'm still paying off credit card debt that I used to pay for my books and food.

It WILL get better. I promise. And I wish I had advice as far as the financial aid people

Meantime...is there a friend you haven't spoken to in awhile that you'd like to catch up with? A yoga class? A scenic drive with a picnic you could enjoy? I'd take you out for ice cream if you were in town!