<p>Hello, I am a triplet and also have an older sister currently attending college. So my family will have four kids going to college at once. My mom is a single working mother. I really want to know if this will help me get substantial aid from colleges, since its obvious the family contribution will be low. Are there any scholarships specifically for this problem? Will I get good financial aid? </p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>If you pick the right schools, I’m sure you could easily be able to afford college. Find schools that meet-need, find schools that give scholarships, find schools that give discounts if your brother or sister go to the school at the same time (GWU :D) and other things like that. It will take a lot of work but you should be able to make it work!</p>
<p>Yikes!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>If y’all are geniuses, then it’s possible that you’d all get accepted to the limited number of schools that give great aid…and/or merit scholarships.</p>
<p>I’ve never heard of scholarships specifically for students who have siblings in college. Scholarships are usually based on merit…test scores and GPA or some other hook…like Greek Americans, or Violinists, or whatever. </p>
<p>It looks like you’re NJ residents? If so, I think NJ gives some aid to its low income students. </p>
<p>Do you kids have a non-custodial parent? If so, his income will also get considered at the best schools that give the best aid. </p>
<p>You kids need a strategy based on each child’s test scores, GPA, and major. </p>
<p>For example…</p>
<p>Child #1… average test score/average GPA…most affordable choices may be commuting to a local state school or community college. Or if lucky with aid, then going away to a NJ state school that’s affordable.</p>
<p>Child #2…Engineering major, very high test scores, high GPA…this student may have many options if carefully chosen. Instate Flagship, schools that give huge merit, and/or better privates may be the best affordable.</p>
<p>Child #3…undecided major… good-but-not-top test scores, high GPA…this student will have to carefully choose schools. a safety will likely be a state school that he can commute to, but he may have a hard time getting accepted to a private that will meet need and not gap him. He could get accepted to many schools, but many schools don’t give great aid, so avoid ones that will not be affordable.</p>
<p>No advice- just sending {{{{hugs}}}} and luck.</p>
<p>I agree with wmurphy126, paying for college ALL starts with planning for college!</p>
<p>If you’re stuck on a school’s name brand, then this might be outside your families budget even with financial aid.</p>
<p>In short, step 1. find an “affordable” college, 2. apply for ANY & ALL financial aid, scholarships, and grants you qualify for, 3. manage your expenses, 4. make extra money, and 5. see if your college accepts CLEP tests and transfer credits from your 2-year community college <which is="" usually="" way="" cheaper="" than="" a="" 4-year="">.</which></p>
<p>Like melbert said, God Bless you and your family!</p>
<p>Madison</p>
<p>And, make sure all 4 submit their FA applications as soon as they can. Late apps can mean less money.</p>
<p>I am a mother of twins and had a son in college, people gave me links like this for multiples:
[College</a> Scholarships for Twins & Multiples - Twin Scholarships and College Tuition Discounts](<a href=“http://multiples.about.com/od/twinsinschool/a/twinscholarship.htm]College”>College Scholarships for Twins and Multiples)
I found though asking about sibling discounts was the best way…if I remember correctly, Providence and Stonehill had them but it was in small print or I just asked. There were others but it was a few years ago.
Good luck…there are many “full need” schools and others that would be helpful with so many in school.
As others have said, early is best…do EA when you can, knowing early is helpful.</p>
<p>NJ has a good community college program with transfer agreements in place with some decent schools such as Rutgers and The College of NJ. You will probably get great financial aid compared to most people, but the smartest move may be community college and transfer. A good summer job is useful as well.</p>
<p>If you and your siblings are very good students who can get into schools which meet full need with no loans or capped loan amounts, you could receive very good financial aid. If you are more average students, public colleges in NJ are expensive and do not meet full need. If you do go the public route in NJ, it makes sense to start at CC and transfer. Depending on your stats, there are some out of state public schools which offer merit aid which could be a better deal than staying in NJ.</p>