“@TheYellowBiscuit, at our local high school, a student we know qualified for and received the fee waivers even though they did not do the free lunch app. I believe they just had to show a tax return that proved the family would qualify for free lunch if they filled out the paperwork. Maybe that would work in your case.”
ok. Thank you.
“Also, I realize there are more pressing issues for you right now, but if you stick with William and Mary as the school you transfer into, please check out all of their transfer requirements. Some courses will not transfer at all if W&M does not offer a course in that subject (one example that comes to mind is Engineering). My son transferred to W&M from UVA, and several courses did not transfer over or did not transfer fully (e.g., he would get 2 of the 3 hours of credit). Make sure you follow the guaranteed transfer steps to the letter so that you transition smoothly:).”
I will check back but I think that all (due to sister school status/ agreement) my credits at rbc will transfer. All my school ones should also be accepted at rbc. Thanks though.
IF your GC has a relationship with your parents (since they talk), talk to your GC about educating your parents on filling out the lunch forms and the benefits that you will get if they fill out the form; Free Testing for the SAT/ACT/applications, free filing of the CSS profile (which you will need in order to get aid)
While your parents may feel embarrassed or may not want others to know about their financial situatio, perhaps your counselor can also plain how it will be affordable if you are accepted
I will try. I don't know how it will go over however.
Ok so it sounds like your GC was really invested in pushing you. You may need to present your problem to your GC in that context.
Say “You have been pushing me to be best prepared to go to college, but here is my problem with my parents. If you can’t help me solve, or go around, this problem, then all of your (and my) efforts may have been pointless.”
Keep in mind, if you keep living with your parents and manage to find the money to go to CC, you will be in the same situation as you are now when you need to transfer to W&M or wherever. You will still need FAFSA and loans.
If your parents truthfully don’t want you going to college, then that is the problem you need to solve. If they don’t want you taking loans (because it sounds like they are afraid of loans they cant discharge in bankruptcy ) then that is basically the same problem.
The Profile form required by William and Mary asks much more invasive/detailed financial questions and takes much longer to fill out. If your parents have been late on their FAFSA, you’re really going to have to push them on the Profile. Meet those deadlines or you may not get the aid you need.
I’m not sure how to square the statistics on Debt by Degrees with @thumper1 's note that W&M is full need met. I’d look for a couple other financial safety schools just in case. W&M would be fabulous for prelaw if the numbers work out.
@TheYellowBiscuit , you mentioned that you may be able to live with an uncle who is 40 minutes from W&M. If that uncle is in or near Richmond, you may be able to commute to Virginia Commonwealth U, but tuition/fees are approx 13K per year. Not sure whether you are eligible for any VA state grants, that could help, too, perhaps your guidance counselor could help figure that out.
Could you live with that uncle for a year while working and save some $$ to put towards your schooling? Also Old Dominion U and Christopher Newport U are possibilities if you could commute. If you can boost your ACT score to upper 20s/30, you would really improve your options and possibly get enough merit/grant aid so that your remaining costs can be covered by fed student loans. You seem like a smart, self-motivated student who would have a good chance of getting higher scores with some more practice. You can borrow test prep books from the library, or your guidance counselors may have resources you can borrow. There are lots of good tips and info. in the test prep section here on cc http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/
Also, a bit of a long shot, is the University of Richmond which pledges a full-ride with no loans (including room and board) to admitted VA residents whose family income is less than $60K http://financialaid.richmond.edu/prospective/virginians/promise.html. The 25%ile ACT score last year was 30, and I think you would probably need to reach that score to be considered, although the new president of UR is African American and is trying to increase URM numbers, so being URM may give you a boost. UR is a CSS profile school, however; and as another poster pointed out, it requires more info/time to fill out, not sure if your parents would cooperate.
i feel so terrible for you. this college stuff is hard enough to sort out with parents who are doing everything they can to help, rather than seeming to try to trip you up at every opportunity.
i don’t know if this is helpful, but if you can squeeze out just one more point on your ACT for a 26, or get an equivalent score on your SAT, then you can get a full ride at Alabama State. full tuition, fees, room, meal plan, and books. i know it’s not William and Mary but it might help to have a full-ride option if things get worse or don’t work out.
i think it’s also important to find a full-ride option that gets you away from what seems like a toxic home environment.
you could get a job there and set up your bank account and your parents cannot stop you. maybe your uncle can drive you down there if they resist. maybe he can loan you the $25 to apply there if you do not have the $$$. maybe if you get a job on campus, you can save up enough to get a car and take driving lessons or have a friend teach you.
you need to get free of the situation you are in and find away to gain your independence. maybe Alabama State can give you that opportunity.
University of Arkansas at Monticello or Prairie View A&M University will give you full tuition for your current ACT score but you would have to work on or near campus to fund your room and board. it would be better to secure a full-ride option.
don’t give up and hang in there. we wish you the best and please keep us all updated. we are all hoping to that your story will lead to a happy and successful college experience and a bright future.
"Ok so it sounds like your GC was really invested in pushing you. You may need to present your problem to your GC in that context.
Say “You have been pushing me to be best prepared to go to college, but here is my problem with my parents. If you can’t help me solve, or go around, this problem, then all of your (and my) efforts may have been pointless.”
Keep in mind, if you keep living with your parents and manage to find the money to go to CC, you will be in the same situation as you are now when you need to transfer to W&M or wherever. You will still need FAFSA and loans."
That is something I have been thinking about. I guess the CC to college route just isn’t feasible with my parents. It’s really frustrating.
“If your parents truthfully don’t want you going to college, then that is the problem you need to solve. If they don’t want you taking loans (because it sounds like they are afraid of loans they cant discharge in bankruptcy ) then that is basically the same problem.”
I know they want me to go to college. Especially my mother, because she never finished college. I think you are right about the bankruptcy thing as well as the loans. That really is an issue because we don’t have money for college.
“The Profile form required by William and Mary asks much more invasive/detailed financial questions and takes much longer to fill out. If your parents have been late on their FAFSA, you’re really going to have to push them on the Profile. Meet those deadlines or you may not get the aid you need.”
Yes. I have told her this when she was with my sister and she just tells me I don’t undestand and to be quiet. I really don’t know how to get her to fill things (in general) out faster. My father doesn’t mess with these matters.
“I’m not sure how to square the statistics on Debt by Degrees with @thumper1 's note that W&M is full need met. I’d look for a couple other financial safety schools just in case. W&M would be fabulous for prelaw if the numbers work out.”
I would love to go there, but it just doesn’t seem possible I guess. I’m happy that was brought to light to me so I can look at other avenues.
“@TheYellowBiscuit , you mentioned that you may be able to live with an uncle who is 40 minutes from W&M. If that uncle is in or near Richmond, you may be able to commute to Virginia Commonwealth U, but tuition/fees are approx 13K per year. Not sure whether you are eligible for any VA state grants, that could help, too, perhaps your guidance counselor could help figure that out.”
I will ask him or look. He lives in Williamsburg, but thanks. I don’t see being able to pay that without loans.
“Could you live with that uncle for a year while working and save some $$ to put towards your schooling? Also Old Dominion U and Christopher Newport U are possibilities if you could commute.”
Not unless I was already attending school at one of these schools. He has said in the past he would let me stay for college. My Aunt also (fights with my mom about it) said she would teach me how to drive if I came out there. I know they would help me find a job it’s just I cant pay for a college there with the options my parents are giving me!
" If you can boost your ACT score to upper 20s/30, you would really improve your options and possibly get enough merit/grant aid so that your remaining costs can be covered by fed student loans. You seem like a smart, self-motivated student who would have a good chance of getting higher scores with some more practice. You can borrow test prep books from the library, or your guidance counselors may have resources you can borrow. There are lots of good tips and info. in the test prep section here on cc http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-act-tests-test-preparation/"
Thank you. I will retake the Act and SAT early for better scores. I’ll see what’s in the library.
“Also, a bit of a long shot, is the University of Richmond which pledges a full-ride with no loans (including room and board) to admitted VA residents whose family income is less than $60K http://financialaid.richmond.edu/prospective/virginians/promise.html. The 25%ile ACT score last year was 30, and I think you would probably need to reach that score to be considered, although the new president of UR is African American and is trying to increase URM numbers, so being URM may give you a boost. UR is a CSS profile school, however; and as another poster pointed out, it requires more info/time to fill out, not sure if your parents would cooperate.”
Thank you! I didn’t know they did that. I think I read they were good for prelaw as well. I will really try to raise my act score. I will definitely apply for this school.
"i feel so terrible for you. this college stuff is hard enough to sort out with parents who are doing everything they can to help, rather than seeming to try to trip you up at every opportunity.
i don’t know if this is helpful, but if you can squeeze out just one more point on your ACT for a 26, or get an equivalent score on your SAT, then you can get a full ride at Alabama State. full tuition, fees, room, meal plan, and books. i know it’s not William and Mary but it might help to have a full-ride option if things get worse or don’t work out."
Ok. I didn’t know that thank you. If it’s a full-ride it might be best to just take it. I do need more options.
i think it’s also important to find a full-ride option that gets you away from what seems like a toxic home environment.
you could get a job there and set up your bank account and your parents cannot stop you. maybe your uncle can drive you down there if they resist. maybe he can loan you the $25 to apply there if you do not have the $$$. maybe if you get a job on campus, you can save up enough to get a car and take driving lessons or have a friend teach you."
I asked about Out of State colleges with full rides and my mom said she MIGHT let me go. She thinks I am irresponsible ( (though I dont do drugs, drink, or go anywhere). She said University of Richmond was fine because she could drive to see me when she wants. She really didn’t like Alabama and wants a list of these schools to review. Why doesn’t she understand I don’t really have an option with what she is giving me?
"you need to get free of the situation you are in and find away to gain your independence. maybe Alabama State can give you that opportunity.
University of Arkansas at Monticello or Prairie View A&M University will give you full tuition for your current ACT score but you would have to work on or near campus to fund your room and board. it would be better to secure a full-ride option.
don’t give up and hang in there. we wish you the best and please keep us all updated. we are all hoping to that your story will lead to a happy and successful college experience and a bright future."
UR has a highly regarded law school, and they have excellent pre-law advising for undergrads, and also a minor available in Law and the Liberal Arts. I think that if you can boost your ACT score to even the upper 20s, you would have a chance for admission to UR, and the full-ride that comes with it for lower income VA families. Don’t underestimate the increase in merit aid that would come along with higher scores, it makes a huge difference (at schools offering merit)!! With grade inflation and so many students with high GPAs, I think many colleges put a lot of weight on test scores as a way to differentiate between students. Your ECs also look great and will help your applications - focus your senior year on the activities that are the most meaningful to you.
For testing practice, my kids tried a few different prep books and each found some that clicked with them. During the school year, they would usually practice just by spending small amounts of time reviewing problems/taking partial practice tests. With extra time available now in the summer, you could get some serious practice done.
My kids did not start out trying to do full tests. They started out not using a timer for the test sections they were completing, then they would carefully review all their wrong answers to understand why. If they felt rusty on a certain topic, they would go on to Kahn academy and review. When they felt more comfortable, they started timing their tests, but still just completed mostly partial tests/ individual sections so that they did not feel overwhelmed. Eventually, they worked up to taking some full length practice tests. When they took the real tests, they were much more comfortable and were able to pace themselves to complete each section. You absolutely can improve your score with a commitment to practicing. Be sure to look at the test prep forum on CC for more tips. Ditto for the SAT if you will be taking also.
All the best to you going forward! As you look at schools and gather info. for your mom, try to run some Net Price Calculators with her, so she can see the financial details herself. It might make her more inclined to allow you to apply to additional schools which are further away in order to have more affordable options, and also might get her to invest time in filling out the FAFSA and CSS Profile forms.
UR looks like they have some great financial aid options - even without merit, 86% of students has full need met - but they are also a Profile school. (Really, almost all private schools known to be generous with need-based aid for lower income kids require the Profile form.)
Christopher Newport sticks a lot of loans in its packages, but the net prices by income seem to be lower than W&M. It might be worth adding to your list.
In addition to all of the wonderful ideas already offered, I suggest the Centennial Scholars Program at JMU… https://www.jmu.edu/centscholars/whatwedo.shtml I think you would be a great candidate.
I teach at JMU, and have worked with many Centennial Scholars. It is a wonderful program! Please contact me if you have any questions!
“UR has a highly regarded law school, and they have excellent pre-law advising for undergrads, and also a minor available in Law and the Liberal Arts. I think that if you can boost your ACT score to even the upper 20s, you would have a chance for admission to UR, and the full-ride that comes with it for lower income VA families. Don’t underestimate the increase in merit aid that would come along with higher scores, it makes a huge difference (at schools offering merit)!! With grade inflation and so many students with high GPAs, I think many colleges put a lot of weight on test scores as a way to differentiate between students. Your ECs also look great and will help your applications - focus your senior year on the activities that are the most meaningful to you.”
-Thank you for the confidence! I don’t feel like my ECs are that great, but this makes me think that they might actually be pretty good! I am looking into their Early Decision Process and average scores right now.
“For testing practice, my kids tried a few different prep books and each found some that clicked with them. During the school year, they would usually practice just by spending small amounts of time reviewing problems/taking partial practice tests. With extra time available now in the summer, you could get some serious practice done.
My kids did not start out trying to do full tests. They started out not using a timer for the test sections they were completing, then they would carefully review all their wrong answers to understand why. If they felt rusty on a certain topic, they would go on to Kahn academy and review. When they felt more comfortable, they started timing their tests, but still just completed mostly partial tests/ individual sections so that they did not feel overwhelmed. Eventually, they worked up to taking some full length practice tests. When they took the real tests, they were much more comfortable and were able to pace themselves to complete each section. You absolutely can improve your score with a commitment to practicing. Be sure to look at the test prep forum on CC for more tips. Ditto for the SAT if you will be taking also.”
Thank you. I will definitely go to khan academy for help. I have been looking at threads and it seems if I can just get ACT/SAT higher I will have a really good chance a merit aid.
“All the best to you going forward! As you look at schools and gather info. for your mom, try to run some Net Price Calculators with her, so she can see the financial details herself. It might make her more inclined to allow you to apply to additional schools which are further away in order to have more affordable options, and also might get her to invest time in filling out the FAFSA and CSS Profile forms.”
I tried to have her look at one for my sister, but she wouldn’t use the calculators. I really hope I find a way to make her fill out those documents on time.
"UR looks like they have some great financial aid options - even without merit, 86% of students has full need met - but they are also a Profile school. (Really, almost all private schools known to be generous with need-based aid for lower income kids require the Profile form.)
Christopher Newport sticks a lot of loans in its packages, but the net prices by income seem to be lower than W&M. It might be worth adding to your list."
I still have that issue with my parents not letting me take loans out. That was the place my sister actually wanted to go (CNU).
"In addition to all of the wonderful ideas already offered, I suggest the Centennial Scholars Program at JMU… https://www.jmu.edu/centscholars/whatwedo.shtml I think you would be a great candidate.
I teach at JMU, and have worked with many Centennial Scholars. It is a wonderful program! Please contact me if you have any questions!"
Thank you. I read over some of it and I like how it sounds. I do have some questions:
Is it a full-ride or full-tuition (no loans) for accepted candidates.
I know it is need-based, but what other criteria is there (Act, etc.).
I know I have a really good chance (many people get accepted at my school who have lower scores, gpa, etc. than me) of getting into JMU so I would like to know more about that.
On another note, with my sat score I do qualify for the full-ride for Alabama State and I believe one other one. My score was a 1200 flat (still unable to see my essay score).
My favorite test center has the ACT open for the 10th of September so I am going to sign up for that.
) then that is basically the same problem.