Collection agencies- big questions help

I come from a broken home of having parents that are abusive and ignorant. They told me to not to pay any of my medical bills and that my health insurance would eventually pay for it and the debt will go away in several years. I believed them because they have college degrees and are in the medical field, but now I know better than to believe in my foolish parents. Now I have several agencies calling me and it's so stressful, I'm in my lower 20s and I have more on my plate than anyone I know because I can't rely on my parents for anything. I pay for my own car, my own roomshare/rent in a different home, etc. And I make less than 20k since I go to college while working.

My questions are
Does all this debt affect my credit? If it does will starting payments make my credit good again?
Can I pay $10-20 a month? I can't afford much
Will starting payments finally allow me to have a living expenses loan from school?

I really need a living expenses loan, but got denied and I'm pretty sure it's because of my credit from medical bills. Another ignorant lie my parents told me was that medical bills don't affect your credit. The only guidance I have in life is myself and most of the time I'm suffering from my illnesses

It does affect your credit. It's a good idea to call each agency and try to negotiate a monthly payment or a total payoff amount so that the record of the delinquency will be removed from your credit report. Fortunately for you, medical debt tends to be eligible for charge off or reduced payment amounts due to hardship. Some states even have specific laws regarding how much hospitals may collect from impoverished patients. Do a little research for your state and make sure that ASAP you contact each collector and negotiate a monthly payment, charge off etc. Even after things have been discussed the negative remarks will remain on your credit for up to 90 days or more but do not be alarmed.

ETA: Making payments may not allow you to be approved for a loan as credit agencies report at different times. If you are in the US you can view your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com. That site will not give you a score but you will show you everything on you credit report free of charge once a year.

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Even though I'm poor would they still count my parent's income as part of my income? If they count my parents then I wouldn't be considered poor, but they don't help me financially with anything. I'm younger than 24 so idk if that makes a difference.

So if I start paying my loans off could I get a living expense loan in September?

Your credit is not tied to your parents' income because you are an independent.

I can't say for sure whether you'd get a loan if you started paying but your likelihood of getting a loan with credit issues is higher if you apply for federal and not private loans. Privates will require a credit check and cosign more than likely while federal will run a credit check also but by in large approve most everyone. Stafford loans are federal.

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Okay so maybe they'll cut me a break since I don't make much, I will call them on Monday since most places aren't open on the weekend. Thank you for your help

I can't say for sure whether you'd get a loan if you started paying but your likelihood of getting a loan with credit issues is higher if you apply for federal and not private loans. Privates will require a credit check and cosign more than likely while federal will run a credit check also but by in large approve most everyone. Stafford loans are federal.

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The living expense loan was through my college so it might be federal? I'm not sure, but I got denied for it which sucked since I really needed the money and still do.