<p>^ Yes, but those that make a fraction of that also receive significantly more aid. The fact of the matter is that any middle class family that makes a decent household income but has any significant debt at all is screwed. And when I talk about significant debt, I am referring to the fact that certain people parents may have to declare bankruptcy. Yet, still almost nothing is given. It is a situation that most of middle America faces. I see no logic in telling all middle class students who choose to go to college that they must come out with extensive debts. I can’t see how that possibly sets a good foundation for the next generation.</p>
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<p>True…but there’s another problem…we’ve raised a bunch of kids who think they have some kind of natural right to go to the school of their choice regardless of whether it is affordable (not all kids are this way, but many are). </p>
<p>Many kids rack up huge student loans that could be avoided or lessened by going to their local state public. </p>
<p>I’ve seen it here on CC…many kids with inadequate or no financial support from their parents (who have a med-to-high EFC), believe that nothing should stop them from going to a “name” school. I’ve also noticed that some of them don’t even want to ask their parents how much they can afford and what their EFC is, because they are afraid of the answer - they are just “hoping” for some F/A (which many of them think is free money). </p>
<p>Many kids don’t want to “lose face” with friends by going to a “cheap school”; they want to have some “bragging rights” during their senior year at hs. Plus, many have heard others put down their local college, so they don’t want to go there.</p>
<p>Plus…too many times…parents and kids don’t have the “financial talk” until spring comes - when most or all of the F/A packages come back with student loans and the parents think those are a bad idea - especially if they aren’t sure where their unexpectedly high EFC is going to come from. Some families don’t even look at the Total Cost of Attendance until spring (OMG - room and board cost how much???) …I think some families just “go ahead” with student loans at that point, because it’s too late for other less expensive options.</p>
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radiosam88, our family is expected to contribute over 1/3 of our income. If the OP goes to an expensive private university costing $50,000, that is still only at most 1/5 of their income. You are also assuming that families with lower incomes have their need met - that is not the case at most colleges.
Not at all. As I said, it takes planning and sacrifice to afford college - regardless of your income. We CHOSE not to rack up debt - no new cars, furniture, electronics… no cable TV, our kids don’t have cell phones or fancy game systems… And so the five-figure EFC we have, on a family income about 1/5 of the OP’s, is possible. And again, our family has faced many of the same financial difficulties as the OP, as well as others.</p>
<p>The suggestion in this and other similar threads that those with lower incomes are “luckier” is unsupported.</p>
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<p>true dat. if you really cared, you definately would be able to finance your child’s education if you made 250,000 + yearly. no excuses. freaking six figure income and you’re complaining about debts/medical expenses. Well ya know what, stop eating all that crap so you don’t get fat and sick and stop buying all that stuff you don’t need.</p>
<p>If your family has incurred large medical related expenses for the immediate family, you CAN apply for a special circumstances consideration with the college. You would need documentation of the medical issue and the documentation for out of pocket expenses your family has incurred. This would include illnesses and also might include the extensive therapies two posters have outlined. You just have to be sure to have VERY COMPLETE documentation…very complete…to give to the colleges.</p>
<p>But remember…it is up to the discretion of each college to deal with special circumstance situations. Some will review your circumstances and make adjustments and some will not.</p>
<p>For anyone in this situation, it is wise to have a financially doable school in the mix.</p>
<p>To the OP…you might want to look at the McNair Scholarship at U of South Carolina. I believe your stats would put you in the running. It is a full ride scholarship including everything…and a laptop. BUT there is an application that must be completed for the honors college and the deadline is either in November or December 1. Check it out…</p>
<p>I am in pretty much the EXACT situation as you, minus Native American and medical expenses. Rice automatically considers you for merit aid when you apply, so nothing extra for them. I really want to go to Emory, and I applied for the Emory Scholars program (it is due Nov. 1 if interested, they have information on their website), which offers 2/3-full tuition for students who earn Scholar status. </p>
<p>My parents just don’t want to give me money. They said they have $40k liquid for me and that is it, although I know they can give more. Luckily, I think I have a decent shot at some money from Emory, which is my #1 choice. Also, if your parents are in economic trouble because they recently lost assets or work, you could qualify for FAFSA money. My friend’s dad had work trouble for about a year (they are very well off) and she only had to pay $10,000 to go to USC. Of course, you have to re-file every year, so next fall it could be a different story. </p>
<p>Good luck! Also, if you don’t get enough money from the school, you can always talk to their financial aid department. Many times students who need aid and qualify for it do not get enough, and schools have been known (at least in my experience) to give out extra money to these students.</p>
<p>I acknowledge that many lower class families also have medical expenses, etc. But it really makes me feel bad when people are rude because, lets face it, I have NO control whatsoever in terms of how my parents handle THEIR money. My parents DO care about their children, but sometimes other things have to come first.</p>
<p>I do think that I am in a possibly very dire situation, esp considering that my parents may not be able to contribute anything to my education. Right now, I am just trying to do what I can so that I have some good backups in case my family is unable to contribute.
Let’s not make this an argument, I would really appreciate more help/advice/suggestions for my particular situation so that myself and others in similar situations can benefit. If you are looking to argue, there are many more threads on here where you can bash struggling upper-middle class families.</p>
<p>Shut up and stop complaining, you’re native american.</p>
<p>^^^
That’s not necessary. If you don’t like the topic, why come to this thread?</p>
<p>To the OP…you’re right, it doesn’t matter how much money your parents earn, if they can’t/won’t give you money for college, it’s not your fault.</p>
<p>Muffinlover…what is your list now…for reaches, matches, and financial safeties.</p>
<p>19709…since you’re in a similar situation (no money for college)…what is your list for reaches, matches, and financial safeties (schools that you know now will give you merit money)</p>
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I am sure, since you are so very concerned about rudeness, that you would like to amend your terminology to “lower-income families.”</p>
<p>financial safties: LSU, Alabama
state schools: UTexas Plan II, Texas A&M
match/reach (not really sure…):RICE, Northwestern (legacy), WashU, Vandy, Dartmouth, Stanford, DUKE</p>
<p>alamemom: I’m sorry, I meant to put “lower-income.” I did not mean to offend anyone.</p>
<p>Wow…the ignorance of people. pigs<em>at</em>sea, you should not talk about things you do not understand. And my parents did save money and they have NEVER lived beyond their means. My dad drove the same freaking car for 25 years. The only reason why they got a “new” car was because it broke down.</p>
<p>And our medical expenses are because my little sister is AUTISTIC, you idiot. You can’t really control that and if you would think two seconds before writing a response, you might come to that conclusion. My parents HAVE sacrificed…they sacrificed their credit and all of their savings for my sister’s $60k a year therapy. So I guess you could say it is all our fault that my sister was born this way and my parents care about her and her future. Sorry that they didn’t spend irrationally and the ONLY reason they are in debt is because they had to for my sister.</p>
<p>BTW, you can’t PLAN for these things. Nobody can and to say it’s someone’s fault for having large medical bills is ignorant. My dad even had to cash out his *****ing IRA to pay off medical bills, so now my parents have no retirement savings at all. And we are STILL up to our necks in debt.</p>
<p>Thumper1: I have already looked in to the special circumstances forms. I didn’t think about sending in bills and such, so thank you for bringing that up. It is just unfortunate that I have to leave my fate in the hands of others.</p>
<p>Thank you, muffinlover. The problem with schools like Stanford is they do not offer merit aid, only need-based, and you would likely not qualify for need-based. You might want to add a few schools that would be likely to offer merit aid to an excellent applicant with your credentials - there are lots. A few I can think of in California are University of San Francisco, Occidental, Santa Clara University and USC. For USC you would have to apply by December 1st for their Trustee and Presidential scholarships, for Univeristy of San Fransisco by Nov 15th for University Scholars.</p>
<p>Did your counselor nominate you for the Rensselaer Medal at RPI? If they haven’t nominated anyone at your high school, it is a $15,000/year scholarship and it still may be possible to get the nomination in. There are so many more - go to websites of schools where you are in the top 5% to 10% of applicants and see for what you may be qualified.</p>
<p>Your situation is not “dire.” There are many people who have managed to pay their own way through college (like me), and you have the emotional support of your family - which is worth far more than money. You are planning ahead and will have lots of options next April. Good luck.</p>
<p>I need to check, but I think Santa Clara does require FAFSA’s to apply for its merits.
SCU doesn’t award very many top schollies, they seem to want to award to “need” merits… If they do require FAFSA’s, then that won’t work for the OP.</p>
<p>SCU usually doesn’t like to admit how few top schollies it awards, but with a little investigation, I was able to find that they awarded 5 top schollies in previous years. I don’t know if the economy will cause them to reduce that number…</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>Yep, Santa Clara requires a FAFSA and Profile submittal for consideration for merit $$</p>
<p>SCU Merit-based Awards
You can be considered for a University-based scholarship by applying for aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE forms as well as your Undergraduate Admission application. Merit-based Scholarships are selected during the admissions process and there is no separate application.</p>
<p>I will def add more California schools, what about UCLA/USC/USD? Would I have a chance of aid at any of those? Last year one girl at my school got a full ride to USC but turned it down for Brown so I’m assuming that USC gives some merit money.</p>
<p>Stanford doesn’t give merit money? We had 2 kids at Stanford come back and talk to us (originally from our high school) and they said that there IS merit aid, but it is just REALLY hard to come by.</p>
<p>I guess my situation isn’t dire, I just don’t want to end up with alot of loans. My parents both took out loans for college and don’t think that its a big deal, but since i’m pre-med, I can’t really afford alot of loans just from undergrad.</p>
<p>I think I’m also forgetting about UTexas & A&M, they are also bargains, and if it came to the worst case scenario, I could always live at home and drive to UTexas.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>You won’t get any aid at any UC for a couple of reasons…</p>
<p>1) you’re OOS for UC schools.</p>
<p>2) UC’s don’t really give merit $$; they really only give need - and you’re parents income wouldn’t qualify.</p>
<p>Texas A&M would likely give you some merit $$. Are you “in-state” for Texas A&M? I’ve heard that UT - Austin is moving away from merit money and going to “need” (which you wouldn’t qualify for.)</p>
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<p>Hi, </p>
<p>I have a nephew who is autistic, but most of his treatment is covered by insurance. Why hasn’t your sister’s treatment been covered? I don’t understand why autism would cost a family that much money “out of pocket”.</p>
<p>Stanford offers non-need-based scholarships, but only to athletes. The “University Scholarship” students receive at Stanford is a need-based award. [Types</a> of Aid : Stanford University](<a href=“http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/types/index.html]Types”>http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/types/index.html) Students can use outside scholarships at Stanford, and there is some research funding available after you are a student there.</p>
<p>Yes, USC offers merit scholarships. About 100 students receive full tuition and 400 receive 1/2 tuition through the Trustee and Presidential scholarships. NMF automatically receive 1/2 tuition. Admission applications and supporting materials must be submitted by December 1st.</p>
<p>Something I find amusing is that at the most basic english class in highschool, they teach students to address the prompt. Right? Answer the question asked, don’t deviate from the point, if you don’t have anything to say, it’s not worth BSing since it comes out in what you write. Half of the posts here are discussing points completely irrelevant in that, as the OPs stated, there will be little financial aid. Regardless of how much parent funding there is, or how why they can’t help, the OP is a good student and should be able to get merit based scholarships (at the individual schools or otherwise). Don’t focus on the parents, people, focus on the student trying to get through school.</p>
<p>That said, OP: If your parents can’t contribute (though the range you give is quite large: at most 25-30k/year is a HUGE chuck for many students, and assuming there is any linearity to the trend then you should get something… even 5-15k is a HUGE help), you can apply for merit based aid. Consider the schools mentioned, and the scholarships, but also realize that these days you don’t get college for free. Coming out with debt is expected, and if you are planning to pursue medical school you should be comfortable with debt… you aren’t going to be able to clear medical school without paying the 50k/year. </p>
<p>Apply for what you can, you should get something, but don’t assume you will/deserve to get out of UG with no debt, since most don’t.</p>