<p>test scores/GPA?</p>
<p>I was wondering if I could get a full ride or anything really close (like 1000 per year) anywhere with a:</p>
<p>33 ACT</p>
<p>3.5-6 unweighted GPA, 4.3 weighted.</p>
<p>Around 750-800 on Chem Subject test, and 5 on AP chem test. (Have not got test results back)</p>
<p>Community service = crapper.</p>
<p>Not a full ride, but your GPA/ACT score will get you free tuition at U of Alabama:</p>
<p>[Out-of-State</a> Scholarships - Undergraduate Scholarships - The University of Alabama](<a href=“http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html]Out-of-State”>http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html)</p>
<p>I think Auburn has a similar program.</p>
<p>Search around on here, there are other threads about schools that offer automatic merit aid.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>OK…I’m confused. Are you asking if you can get $1000 per year? That certainly won’t cover your college costs anywhere…not even tuition…and not at any college…none.</p>
<p>
I think he means, he would pay up to $1000/year after the scholarship.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the guaranteed merit thread:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html</a></p>
<p>
I think he means, he would pay up to $1000/year after the scholarship.</p>
<p>Here’s a link to the guaranteed merit thread:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html</a></p>
<p>Thanks guys. </p>
<p>@notrich</p>
<p>Yes, that’s exactly what I mean.</p>
<p>I looked at the link. Apparently, most/all colleges are willing to down tuition, but not dorm/living costs. I mean, that’s nice, but dorm costs at some state colleges are now more expensive than tuition itself.</p>
<p>I can’t really see a full ride with those scores. They’re good – very good, really. But there is a large enough percentage of people with higher scores that will earn various schools’ very top scholarship awards – people with 36’s and 2400’s and 4.0’s unweighted. </p>
<p>Sorry.</p>
<p>However, if you’re PSAT score is huge, with SAT scores, etc. to match, you could probably find a few free rides across the country as a national merit finalist.</p>
<p>Thanks. </p>
<p>Didn’t take the PSAT, lol. I didn’t even know it was important until 3 months after the test was taken.</p>
<p>Well, I’ll still keep on searching, but thanks for your input.</p>
<p>If you post the region/program/size of school you’re interested in you may get some ideas on schools that offer substantial merit…they may not be automatic scholarships though as many of the more generous scholarships require a separate app/interview.</p>
<p>Are you likely to qualify for any federal/state aid?</p>
<p>It is highly unlikely that you will find scholarships based on your scores alone. your transcript is the most important information in the application as it is reflective of the work that you have done over the past 3/3.5 years.</p>
<p>I was thinking, Rocky …</p>
<p>Did you possibly leave out any important details in your original post? Like, do you possibly have any standout, exceptional talents or accomplishments at the all-state or national level? Any really exceptional leadership demonstrated in high school?</p>
<p>If so, then your scores, along with those accomplishments, may in fact earn you a competitive full-ride scholarship at some schools. You’d still have to compete for the scholarships … but if you’re at an all-state or national level, with some strong demonstrated leadership, AND you have those scores, there’s still hope! And you’d be a contender at several schools – with the “rest of the package.”</p>
<p>Good luck to you!</p>
<p>OP, VERY few schools offer full rides anymore. I know at one time Oklahoma did for NMFs (and I think Alabama). At most schools above the CC level your tuition/fees are much greater than room and board. Room and board usually runs in the $10K range for a year. With a Stafford Loan and a good summer job you should be able to swing it.</p>
<p>Are you a citizen or green card resident? Are you low income? IF so, then maybe a combo of scholarships and fed aid would provide nearly a full-ride.</p>
<p>How much can your family contribute?</p>
<p>What is your likely major?</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Sadly, no. Most of my accomplishments are regional. I’ve won piano competitions at the regional level, and I’ve won a few chemistry competitions at the regional level.</p>
<p>Thank you though.</p>
<p>@mom2CollegeKids</p>
<p>We’re a middle class family, so possibly some financial aid. I would like to major in some sort of engineering, possibly Chemistry or Physics.</p>
<p>@Erin’s dad</p>
<p>At U of I, tuition is around $10,000, but the total package is around $25-30 grand; housing, food etc. is more expensive at a state school than the tuition. But it all depends on the school, I guess.</p>
<p>*
We’re a middle class family, so possibly some financial aid. I would like to major in some sort of engineering, possibly Chemistry or Physics.*</p>
<p>Frankly, middle class families don’t usually get free federal aid. They can get loans, but often not “free federal aid.” </p>
<p>You need to find out what your family’s EFC is. Don’t let that term mislead you. Expected FAmily Contribution is not the most your family will be expected to pay. Typically, families have to pay more. </p>
<p>The only way to reduce EFC is to get big merit that exceeds “determined need.”</p>
<p>FA Calc<br>
[FinAid</a> | Calculators | Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and Financial Aid](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator - Finaid)</p>
<p>Do both the federal method and institutional. Many privates use the both methods. If there is a non-custodial parent, then their income (and step-parent incomes) might also be included at some schools.</p>
<p>^^ I don’t know which U of I you mean. </p>
<p>For U of Illinois:
Tuition and Fees $12,240 - 16,392*
Books and Supplies $1,200
Room and Board $8,764
Other Expenses $2,510
Total $24,714 - 28,866*</p>
<p>U of Iowa:
Tuition and fees $7,417
Room and board 8,331
Books and supplies $ 1,090
Personal expenses 2,625
Transportation 890</p>
<p>U of Indiana:
Tuition and fees $9,028
Room and board $7,270-$9,873
Books and supplies $750–$875
Personal expenses and transportation $2,400-$3,200</p>
<p>You control many of those costs. Getting used books brings that estimate down. Limiting your personal expenses brings that down. Room and Board for all the options listed is below $10K. Being careful with your spending for the other areas can make those affordable as well.</p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>*
At U of I, tuition is around $10,000, but the total package is around $25-30 grand; housing, food etc. is more expensive at a state school than the tuition. But it all depends on the school, I guess. *</p>
<p>I think he means UIUC, since he’s talked about it on other threads.</p>
<p>Yes, the instate tuition is more than $10k as you’ve listed above (and there was talk of a big instate increase - I don’t think the 2010-11 school year tuition has been firmly decided yet.). </p>
<p>So, with tuition around $15k plus another $10k for room, board, books, it’s hard to go there for under $25k per year.</p>
<p>Many can’t afford instate costs at UIUC. I know that my kids’ university has about 150 Illinois students with high ACTs because it’s much cheaper for them to go to school out of state after getting a big scholarship.</p>
<p>Rocky, also search the Parents forum for threads started by momfromtexas - What I’ve Learned About Full Ride Scholarships and the update to it. These may give you some ideas. </p>
<p>If you aren’t eligible for state aid, you might look at states that have lower tuition rates for OOS students. NY is one and there are several good engineering schools in the SUNY system, such as UB, that are fairly easy to get to, have a COA under $25K, and give decent merit aid to OOS students. UB also gives some full rides every year, but I think your scores are a bit low for that.</p>
<p>This student’s stats are high enough to get good scholarship money from various schools, however, not a “free ride.”</p>
<p>I think this student needs to rethink how he’ll pay for college.</p>
<p>He needs to…</p>
<p>1) talk to parents about how much they will pay each year.</p>
<p>2) Consider taking federal student loans ($5500 for first year)</p>
<p>3) Use summer job earnings to put towards book costs or other costs.</p>
<p>Even though the parents are “middle income” (however people define that these days), they may be good savers and have assets that will also come into play. Regardless, most middle class people don’t get free fed aid unless they have multiple kids in college and the income isn’t that high.</p>