How did you finance your collegiate experience?

my parents make over $100,000 annually but live to the best of their ability which means that they still live paycheck to paycheck. this ***** me over because they can't help me out with college but i don't qualify for pell grants because i'm a dependent. i have a gpa of 3.456 which is almost a 3.5 which is required for the scholarship i need but there is no leniency...epic fail on my part! i have work-study job but only make about $500 per month. i could get a loan but that is the last resort. any suggestions?