<p>Hello</p>
<p>I am a junior in high school. I really want to get a tutor over the summer and for next year for one of my harder classes. I know my family won't be able to pay for one, so I wanted to get a part-time job to pay for it myself. However, I've heard that getting a job could mess up my chances of getting financial aid? Is this true? </p>
<p>Here is my financial background: My mom makes a good amount of money, but the cost of living where I live is ridiculously high (excellent public schools), so we really don't have money left over. Also, my dad has been unemployed for two years so my mom is the sole breadwinner; my sister is graduating from college this spring, and my parents have been paying that without any scholarships or aid. So basically, even though my mom's salary is quite good, it isn't enough to pay for college for me, especially if I go to a private (which I want). </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Most schools allow you to make up ot $5K a year without assessing your for it in financial aid. But that your family isn’t getting aid for your sister’s college, and that you say your mother makes a good income makes me think your prospects may not be so good in terms of financial aid. It doesn’t matter what housing costs or cost of living is where you live in terms of financial aid eligibility. Nor does family debt, credit cards and stuff like that count. Fin aid is heavily determined by your parent’s income. You might want to run your family numbers through a estimator and see what it says. </p>
<p>If the numbers say your famiily can afford to pay, then your aid prospects will not be there most likely. Look at some low sticker price colleges, state schools, and schools where you have a good chance for merit money–where you will be a top student in terms of test scores/grades. When you have a firm list of affordable possibilities, then put a few lottery schools in the mix, but be aware that the chances of getting money for them are small, getting accepted may even be small if the school has a low selective rate. Those are your reach schools.</p>
<p>As for your getting a job to pay for a tutor. I think that is a fine idea. Financial aid aside you will make yourself a better candidate and a more prepared person if you can shore up your academics. The financial aid part vs what school(s) you consider can and will be dealt with later. Your first “job” is being a student. The story behind you getting there will be part of what you present. No negatives there. Go for being the best you can be!</p>
<p>You have 3 separate issues…</p>
<p>1) you can earn money for college (about $5k per year) and it won’t affect financial aid. </p>
<p>2) If you SAVE money for college, you might want to have your parents “save it” for you since a parent asset won’t count as much for financial aid reasons. However, only do this if you know for sure that your parents won’t spend your money. Also, spend your savings on college-related things…like a computer and such (but don’t waste your money). </p>
<p>3) Since your mom makes a good living (and hopefully your dad will find a job soon), it is VERY LIKELY that the “family contribution” that colleges will expect your parents to pay will be a lot higher than what they actually can pay. Therefore, even if you qualfy for “some” aid, it may not be enough aid. So, you need to also apply to schools that give big merit scholarships for stats.</p>
<p>many kids think that they will get the aid they need if they apply to schools that give “good aid,” but if the school thinks your family’s income is high enough to contribute more than it can, then that’s a big problem.</p>
<p>What schools are you considering?</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>What state are you in?</p>
<p>What is your likely major?</p>
<p>One thing the OP can do is look at his siblings FAFSA for this current school year. He should check the SAR and look for the FAFSA EFC. If his sister is going to a college that requires Profile, he can see what the college is expecting his family to pay. That will give him a “ballpark” of what the expectations will be for him. Of course not all Profile schools are equal in how they award aid…but you get the idea. If the FAFSA EFC is higher than the cost of attendance, then the OP would likely not see much in aid as has been the case with his sister.</p>
<p>*So basically, even though my mom’s salary is quite good, it isn’t enough to pay for college for me, especially if I go to a private (which I want).
*</p>
<p>Thumper makes a good point. what is your sister’s FAFSA EFC for her current school? It sounds like she’s at a public (not CSS) school. </p>
<p>Again, your bigger issue may be that at a private school, the school may say that your family can afford to pay more than it can afford to pay. And, again, hopefully, your dad will become employed again in the near future. </p>
<p>If you have your heart set on going to a private, you need to protect yourself by applying to some schools that will give you good merit scholarships for your stats. That said, don’t only consider privates. There are some good publics out there that may give you merit scholarships as well.</p>
<p>Along with my earlier questions, how much have your parents been paying for your sister? Did she take out any student loans or pay for any of her education herself?</p>