Applying to Scholarships ASSISTANCE NEEDED!

Paying for College
1

I’m in my junior year of high school and I am thinking about starting to apply to scholarships. I know that college can be REALLY expensive so I wanted to apply to as much as scholarships as possible.

I take full IB & my grades are mostly A’s so I am sure that I would have a few full rides to colleges in my area (New Jersey). But I want to apply to some out of state (Wake Forest, Duke, Dartmouth, Georgetown, etc.) < not all are competitive > so I want to apply to some scholarships to have some $$ saved just incase.

Are there any websites/scholarships that I should check out? Thank you!

2

You need to learn the difference between merit aid (where colleges will care about your grades) and need based aid, where they won’t (assuming you get in, which of course depends on your grades) but where the amount will depend on your family’s income and assets.

You won’t get a dime of merit aid from Dartmouth, for example- all of their aid is based on financial need.

Start by looking at the net price calculators on each college’s website-- if you have a rough idea of your family income, you can get a snapshot of what your aid from these places might look like.

Which of the colleges that you listed do you think are not competitive? All of these schools are tough to get admitted to.

3

You also need to know that full rides are pretty rare, there are tons of kids like you in your area who will be vying for merit money. Make sure you understand what these scholarships are that you think are a sure thing. IB, all As, there are a lot of kids in this category. First though, have the money talk with our parents, know what your fafsa efc is, look up NPCs for the schools in question . I see you have a PSAT score,obviously you need to work on your real test score and get and idea of what that looks like before you start looking at such reach schools. Shore up all your local options.

4

When I said not all are competitive I meant that the colleges that I will be applying out of state will not be as competitive as the ones that I listed.

5

So…what colleges are you considering out of state? That matters and advice here will be better knowing.

What is your GPA and SAT or ACT score

6

Also, the best aid comes directly from colleges where you are accepted.

Will you qualify for need based aid?

How much can your parents help you annually? Find out

7

The best scholarships usually come directly from the schools themselves. The more selective the school, the harder it is to get merit money. And usually, in state options are most affordable.

Have you run NPCs? Do you qualify for any need based aid? Do you know your family’s budget?

8

Definitely look for colleges with automatic merit for your stats- the less competitive ones may have that for you.

But as far as outside scholarships, the best ones are the local ones because there’s obviously not as much competition as the ones you find on the national search sites. Check with your guidance counselor. Check the websites of nearby high schools’ guidance counselors too. Keep your eyes open for any local or state-wide ones you can find.

Does your school publicize what the seniors win each year? Last year when DD was a junior, I made a list from the local newspaper’s article from senior awards night so I could be sure DD would look into each scholarship the class ahead of her won. If there is a list or article, that will be something to look for probably next month.

If you belong to a church, see if there are any associated with your denomination or district. If your parents are part of any organizations, check with them. If you know what major you want, search online for scholarships particular to that major.

You can also check the national search sites, my DD’17 found one on Sallie Mae that was only for her major and that gives out multiple- she won a renewable scholarship. Just don’t expect to have much of a chance on ones that are open to everyone or that only give out one nationwide. Look for more specific ones that you may fit. I also follow The Scholarship System on Facebook, she puts out lists every season- they are national but you can take a look.

Once you are at college, apply for their endowed scholarships every year (if they are offered). From our visits, we have heard that a lot of current students just don’t bother. DD’17 has won a foundation scholarship 4 out of 5 semesters.

Also keep in mind if you will receive need based aid, outside scholarships might not reduce your overall cost. But for us, it definitely helps.

9

You state that you are from NJ, as am I.
In state NJ public colleges, such as Rowan, Rutgers, Ramapo and Stockton cost around $32,000 a year.
Wake Forest is $73,000 a year.

Please do the math, with your family alongside, to first figure out how much savings you have.
Complete the FAFSA now, to get an idea if they are going to qualify for any need based aid.
Most people think they have “need” but really their incomes are too high, and the colleges do not care if you have a big car payment or credit card debt, you do not have “need” in their estimation.

Consider how many credits you can transfer from your IB program. My daughter used 28 AP credits, add a summer of classes, and she will graduate in only three years. Big savings.

Scholarships are incredibly competitive and require organization and effort. The myth that there is some mystery scholarship with full tuition, room and board that no one applied for so it magically dropped into someone’s lap is a MYTH. I’m suggesting you do the work do identify colleges that have merit aid, and do scholarship applications, but recognize the first (merit) is more important and likely than the second.

Finally, do not hold that a Top 20 college is essential. If you have middling PSAT/SAT scores, it isn’t going to happen.
Consider the debt first. You make your own experience - get into the Honors program at college, jump into learning with both feet, and you will thrive. It is YOU who make your college experience, not the name on the sweatshirt.

Feel free to message me. Always happy to assist a Jersey peep.

Look at Ramapo and Stockton - great merit aid being offered there right now.

Last - click on my name and read past threads/comments I’ve made - do the research to support your end goal - which should be a great education at a low debt.