<p>I know a student who just missed the NMSF cut-off in her state and needs a full ride (or close to it).</p>
<p>she has a 1590 M+CR SAT...excellent</p>
<p>she has a 4.X GPA...not sure if she'll be Val, but in top few of her class.</p>
<p>she will not qualify for need-based aid.</p>
<p>She is open to all regions of the country....right now she's on the west coast.</p>
<p>Computer Science is her major.</p>
<p>When I say "full ride"....I don't mean full tuition. This student needs tuition, room, and board. The student and family can probably pay for books and travel. </p>
<p>I don't think commuter or suitcase schools would be a good idea for a child who would be coming from a distance. </p>
<p>Thanks a bunch!! </p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>I know that UAHuntsville would give a full ride, but looking for more options.</p>
<p>She should apply for the McNair Scholarship at University of South Carolina…it’s not an assured award but if she gets it, it’s a full ride…everything.</p>
<p>Same with thumper1 but for SJSU but only if she lives in CA and a CA resident. Not assured, but if she gets it, full ride to everything even food, housing, etc.</p>
<p>Not sure of the scholarship name but I do know it exists.</p>
<p>I’m wondering if she’d be in contention for a full ride at a school that wants more female CS majors. But, I don’t know which schools those might be.</p>
<p>I’d like to be able to suggest some assured full rides and some competitive full rides (that don’t require travel for interviews).</p>
<p>she will not qualify for need-based aid.
.
.
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When I say “full ride”…I don’t mean full tuition. This student needs tuition, room, and board. The student and family can probably pay for books and travel.</p>
<p>*Why would she limit herself to a full-ride school given that her family doesn’t qualify for need-based aid? *</p>
<p>Is this a serious question? If so, where would you suggest that she apply…and why would such schools be a better option???</p>
<p>Try Pace University in NYC, they do not have guranteed full ride, but close to it. I know some real good students got that near full ride FA. In addition, the part time salary outside the school in NYC is really high and its not to difficult for Pace students to get a job in downtown.</p>
<p>Lots of Computer startups are in NYC now, so the possibilities are there.</p>
<p>Its worth it for her to apply before the Dec 1 deadline to USC, as some Trustee scholars have received even more $$ from the new Mork Scholars fund.
But she WILL have to travel to LA is she is invited to interview in Feb for a scholarship. If her family doesn’t qualify for need based aid, how can it be a problem scrounging up $100 for air fare when she has the chance to win $160,000?</p>
<p>Mom2collegekids I had the same question, it was the first thing that came to mind in reading your post. I don’t understand why she <em>must</em> have a full ride with nothing but getting there and books if her family’s means are such that she definitely will not qualify based on need. You don’t have to answer that but it’s a legitimate thing to wonder.</p>
<p>Some families choose to give their money to different things- ie supporting family in other countries or simply choosing to fund their retirements, etc rather than education. That is why a lot of high income students need to look for merit aid rather than need-based aid.</p>
<p>* I don’t understand why she <em>must</em> have a full ride with nothing but getting there and books if her family’s means are such that she definitely will not qualify based on need.*</p>
<p>When people are looking for a full ride merit scholarships or other large merit scholarships it’s often because of one or more of the following reasons…</p>
<p>1) They have assets that aren’t liquid, but prevent them from qualifying for aid.</p>
<p>2) They have assets that they shouldn’t liquidate because they are for retirement, but not protected like retirement accts. </p>
<p>3) Their income has recently increased, but they’re not in a situation to afford a full freight school…maybe dad has recently got a big promotion or mom has returned to work full time.</p>
<p>4) One or both parents was unemployed for awhile, parents have returned to work, but they haven’t recovered from their former situation.</p>
<p>5) They have consumer debt for whatever reason(s).</p>
<p>6) They are supporting extended family members.</p>
<p>7) They fear that their jobs are unstable and will not be able to afford a pricey school in a future year.</p>
<p>8) Their children want to go to med school or law school and college funds will be saved to cover some of those costs. </p>
<p>9) They have a high income, but they once had an even higher income and their obligations were based on that higher income. (this is quite common in areas where the economy has hit hard. Families that once had 2 high income earners and large mortgages are struggling to pay those mortgages when one high earner has lost his/her job. </p>
<p>Besides the fact that the governments idea of “high income” is sometimes laughable and doesn’t take debt or other special financial situations into account.</p>
<p>It is possible to not qualify for need based FA because of your high income, but still need full FA without loans because the other money needs to be spent on other important matters.</p>
<p>@Debbie- debt is almost always a personal choice. <em>Unless</em> it is for high medical costs, in which case the school will often at least <em>consider</em> reducing your EFC. </p>
<p>What type of debt do you think the government should consider?</p>
<p>I think most people on this board, myself included, see ourselves in one or more scenarios 1-9. Still don’t imagine I will get off without paying for my kids’ college. As you say it’s a personal choice as to what is important. Thanks.</p>