Can I Afford To Go?

[ready2011]

<p>I've told my story in other forums and people have been very very helpful. I was raised by my dad who died last year (bio mom whereabouts unknown; live with step mom but she doesn't have money and is my legal guardian not adoptive). Because of this I qualify as an independent student. I am glad about that, but I have no clue how financial aid should come into play when selecting schools. Do I just apply and wait to see what kind of package they offer me and make my decision based on that?</p>

<p>Schools on my list are BU, BC, UMass, Fordham, Northeastern, Penn State, Providence College, SUNY Albany, SUNY Stony Brook, Mount Holyoke, Smith. I might apply to a reach or two like NYU. </p>

<p>Obviously I'm not going to apply to all these schools but I'm not sure if I should weigh financial aid chances when thinking about applying.</p>

[siglio21]

<p>maybe. give us more info!!!</p>

[college_ruled]

<p>These sites might be useful: [Project</a> on Student Debt: What’s the Bottom Line?](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php]Project”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php) & [FinAid</a> | Answering Your Questions | No Loans for Low Income Students](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid) & [Colleges</a> That Claim to Meet the Full Financial Needs of Students - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying-for-college/2010/02/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-the-full-financial-needs-of-students.html]Colleges”>http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying-for-college/2010/02/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-the-full-financial-needs-of-students.html) Note that meeting full need can include loans, and that colleges get to determine what you can afford to pay.</p>

<p>I think Smith and Mount Holyoke will try to work with you even though they are not schools that meet full need. I’m a bit biased… but Wellesley’s financial aid is amazing. :)</p>

<p>NYU is notorious for bad (need based) financial aid.</p>

<p>What are your stats? Where are you in state?</p>

[Erin_s_Dad]

<p>From another post these are the OP’s stats:

my weighted gpa is 3.5, class rank is 130 out of 450. My SAT scores were 660 Lit, 600 Math, 650 Writing

With the SUNYs on the list I have to believe the OP is from NY. Penn State and UMass will not offer any FA beyond the federal so they would be too expensive.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>Sorry to hear that your dad died last year. </p>

<p>Don’t bother with NYU…they give lousy aid.</p>

<p>*Do I just apply and wait to see what kind of package they offer me and make my decision based on that?</p>

<p>Schools on my list are BU, BC, UMass, Fordham, Northeastern, Penn State, Providence College, SUNY Albany, SUNY Stony Brook, Mount Holyoke, Smith. I might apply to a reach or two like NYU. *</p>

<p>No… You need to carefully select schools that you have a reasonable chance of getting good aid/scholarships. </p>

<p>Take off Penn State, UMass, and NYU…none will give you good aid.</p>

[ready2011]

<p>Thanks everyone. I will take NYU off. I do have a question about UMass and Penn State: do you qualify for in-state tuition after a year? I am in NY but nothing is holding me here and my dad grew up in MA so I might want to relocate there permanently.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>You don’t qualify for in-state tuition if you move there for education purposes. So, you would have to move there, not go to school, live and work for a year, and then apply. </p>

<p>I think you need to concentrate on schools that will either meet need or give big merit for your stats. I would contact some of your Catholic schools and talk to them about your situation. </p>

<p>I would imagine that schools like BC, Holy Cross, Fordham and some others would be especially generous to you. </p>

<p>Since you live in NY and qualify for TAP, certainly apply to Fordham and SUNYs as well.</p>

[mom2collegekids]

<p>BTW…you need to get your waivers about your bio mom if you haven’t already.</p>

[sk8rmom]

<p>From UMass:

In general, if you are a dependent student and at least one parent or legal guardian has resided in Massachusetts for one year immediately preceding your enrollment, then you may qualify for in-state tuition. If you are a financially independent student, then the policy requires that you have lived in Massachusetts as a “traditional resident” (not a student) for twelve continuous months immediately preceding your enrollment or reenrollment at UMass. “Second residences” may not be used to qualify for Massachusetts residency.

</p>

<p>From Penn State:</p>

<p>

A: Generally, unless a student has 12 months of continuous residence in the state prior to enrollment, the student is considered a non-resident. The 12 month requirement cannot be met while attending Penn State - the student is assumed to be in the Commonwealth for educational purposes. Although the student might be considered a resident of the Commonwealth, the student would remain as a non-resident for tuition purposes, unless there was clear evidence that the student’s circumstances had changed and that a permanent, independent domicile in Pennsylvania has been estabished.

</p>

<p>Many states, include MA and PA, consider the residency of a legal guardian. </p>

<p>SUNY is likely to be your most affordable option - as Mom2CK mentioned. The NYS TAP grant for 0 EFC NY’ers covers the full cost of tuition and there are other, usually unpublicized, grants that SUNY schools offer to help low-income students. I read your other thread and have the sense that the SUNY’s you mention were just thrown in there at your GC’s behest. Please take the time to investigate the SUNY’s and apply to those that actually interest you! There are many campuses across the state and they all are quite different, so if you’re using SUNY as a financial safety make sure you select one that you would be happy to attned. If you need help with SUNY choices, please post on the SUNY-General subforum under the Colleges tab.</p>