Boston College is one of my top two, and I’m definitely leaning towards it since it’s closer (compared to UNC Chapel Hill). They’ve given me a hard time about aid, so I still haven’t gotten any figures or estimates (they denied my noncustodial waiver, so they won’t review my application). Does this mean I’ll get less since I’m getting my decision later? And in general how good is their financial aid?
Did your non-custodial parent file a Profile? If not, your financial aid application for BC institutional aid is NOt complete…and they will not give you institutional aid.
If all you sent was the FAFSA, all you will get from BC is the $5500 Direct Loan, and any portion of the Pell Grant to which you are entitled.
If you did file the non-custodial parent Profile…when did that happen?
You are a NY resident? You want to be premed? Did you apply to any instate SUNY schools?
<<<
So my choices have come down to BC and Chapel Hill, and I was hoping for a little help regarding their premed programs. All other things aside, which one would prepare me more for med school? Not just any med school but one of the most prestigious (Harvard for example…). I want to make sure I go somewhere that gives me a lot of opportunities as well as teaches me what I need.
[QUOTE=""]
[/QUOTE]
Undergrads do not prepare you for med school.
med school education in the US is flat. They all teach the same things.
How much will each of your schools’ cost you?
You wont get aid from BC if you don’t submit the NCP info
@thumper1 I sent the waiver before my admissions decision, when the FAFSA and CSS were due, and then again after my decision. The problem is since I get child support they consider that “contact” and want him to fill out his profile. My mom called though and said that if she gets more letters from people who know the situation, fill out some form, and sends the part of the divorce agreement that says he’s not to contribute to the cost of college, then they’ll bring my case to the appeals council. And I did apply and get into Bing and Stonybrook
@mom2collegekids I understand that all med schools are good schools, but I just want to make sure I go to a school where I’ll have a lot of opportunities, which I why I want a prestigious one.
My main concern is how much in reality BC gives out in grants? In like general? Are they good about their aid or are they kinda stingy like BU?
He’s prohibited from contributing to the cost of college, or he’s not obligated to contribute? Big difference there, and I bet it’s not the former. And not being obligated to contribute under the terms of a divorce agreement probably won’t make a difference to the financial aid folks.
The latter. Same thing happened in my parents’ divorce: father insisted on a clause saying he wasn’t obligated to pay for college. Of course, financial aid officers don’t care that NCPs don’t want to contribute, so I was limited to FAFSA only schools.
Sucks but it’s what happens.
<<<<
understand that all med schools are good schools, but I just want to make sure I go to a school where I’ll have a lot of opportunities, which I why I want a prestigious one.
<<<<
Well, you’ll be lucky to get into one…any one. And virtually ALL the research med schools have lots of opportunities because of how well they’re funded. You don’t understand how med schools work or the admissions process, so don’t be closed-minded about this.
Either way, your undergrad won’t make a difference. All of your undergrad choices will be considered equal in the eyes of med school admissions.
<<<
The problem is since I get child support they consider that “contact” and want him to fill out his profile. My mom called though and said that if she gets more letters from people who know the situation, fill out some form, and sends the part of the divorce agreement that says he’s not to contribute to the cost of college,
[QUOTE=""]
[/QUOTE]
Waivers are for kids whose dads are not in their lives, who haven’t supported them, who are incarcerated, and/or who have whereabouts unknown.
Waivers are not for dads who simply demanded that a clause be inserted into a divorce agreement that they dont’ have to pay.
Do you think that a school should give aid just because an NCP dad, who has money, put a clause in a divorce that your mom agreed to? Frankly, it’s partly your mom’s fault since she ageed to that without making sure your college costs would get covered in another way…
Every NCP would put that in their divorce agreement if it meant that schools would abide by that.
You’re likely using the wrong words…your dad stated that he wouldn’t be obligated to pay for college. He’s not prohibited from paying.
(Why do kids have anything to do with jerky NCPs like this??)
we don’t know the dad is a jerk, Mom. I know a woman living in a million dollar house which she “traded” for tuition for her kids. It was a bad deal- she can’t afford the taxes or to keep the grass mowed- but she insisted and didn’t care what she had to give up in order to get the ex-H to give up his half.
So in this case- Mom was a jerk. (OP- not talking about you, obviously I am not privy to your parents financial arrangements).
But OP- I am talking to you here- you need to get a solid BS in order to be competitive for med school, and if you have a less expensive option, that’s the one you should take. In most families, financing med school is a group effort involving the kid (loans), the parents (loans and payments) often siblings and grandparents as well.
If you don’t have multiple resources, you need to find the cheapest way to get out of undergrad.
@mom2collegekids yet UNC accepted the waiver no problem?
Either way what I’m taking from this is that BC is stingy and I shouldn’t keep my hopes too high. Thank you @CourtneyThurston @BelknapPoint
Some people don’t have to put this in a divorce decree, it’s the state law that ordered support stops at age 18/high school graduation. Doesn’t mean parents can’t continue with support or that both parents can’t contribute through college, just that there isn’t going to be an order of support in place. I don’t think any attorney would be doing his job if he had extra child support obligations inserted INTO a decree when state law didn’t require it. Why make promises to the ex spouse if you aren’t required to do so? If your child is 8, why would you agree to a financial obligation to the ex spouse (the decree is not an obligation to the child but to the spouse) 10-12 years in the future if you don’t know what the situation will be? Child might not be ‘college material’, child/ex might not allow you any say in the college choice, ex might be taking the support and not giving it to the child. No, I wouldn’t agree to more than the law required. Doesn’t mean I’d stop support, just wouldn’t bind myself to it in the decree.
Colleges can still expect and require whatever they want. FAFSA doesn’t require the NCP to participate. I don’t think either parent is a jerk if they fulfill the obligation of support. The children of intact families often don’t get support past age 18 (me me me!).
BC isn’t stingy, but doesn’t have the endowment some other schools do to award 100% of need to all applicants.
My D was admitted to BC and UNC and we found the financial aid from BC to be more generous.
[QUOTE=""]
@mom2collegekids yet UNC accepted the waiver no problem?
[/QUOTE]
??
UNC doesn’t require NCP info. Since UNC doesn’t expect NCP info, it provided aid based on only mom’s info.
Many state schools that use CSS do not require NCP info.
@suzy100 really? Then I guess I just have to try and get this sorted out! Thank you!
[QUOTE=""]
(Why do kids have anything to do with jerky NCPs like this??)
[/QUOTE]
Can’t speak for others, but I don’t. That effectively ended our relationship.