I don't find being asked my plans on how I am going to pay off my loans by a financial aid officer condescending; that's their job. No one is going to lend money to someone who isn't going to be able to pay it off.

If you are only going to school because you promised your grandfather you would graduate; that is not a reason that can work very easily. It is your life and you have to live it now, for you. Until you really want to go to school, for yourself, you probably are not going to succeed. Perseverance can be important but is not the only thing needed to succeed and, used alone, is not likely to work.