<p>I can't afford sending my scores to the (~13) colleges that I am applying to. I already stupidly used up the fee waivers I had when I sent my scores to each of the UCs that I am applying to, not realizing that by sending my scores to one colleges, all of them would get it. Do any of the colleges I'm applying to allow low-income ($<20,000) students to self-report scores and then send in official reports if accepted? </p>
<p>Colleges I'm applying to:
Brown University
Claremont Mckenna College
George Washington University
Harvard College
Johns Hopkins University
Columbia University
Occidental College
Pomona College
Rice University
University of Chicago
University of San Diego
University of Southern California
Yale University</p>
<p>And I know I'm going to be criticized for applying to so many schools, but the fact of the matter is that I've thought this through and realized that many of these schools have amazing financial aid packages; financial aid packages I need if I'm going to be able to go to college at all. In all honestly, I don't think I can even afford my flagship college before anybody suggests that. I hope this little rant doesn't snarky or anything; that's not how I want to come off. This process is just frustrating.</p>
<p>I am not trying to minimize your financial difficulties, but my first reaction is that this is “penny wise, pound foolish”. </p>
<p>You are clearly bright and have high ambitions. Wherever you are admitted, you will end up spending many thousands of dollars, even if you are eligible for significant financial aid. Considering that, the $143 is small money. Save the money, borrow, or sell something you have if you need to. But please don’t restrict your options because of $143.</p>
<p>Do you have any “safety” schools? Even if you had perfect scores and GPA, these schools have such a low acceptance rate (<10%) that nobody is guaranteed admission.</p>
<p>If you have the grades and scores to get into these schools, you would also qualify for merit aid at some less selective colleges that also meet full financial need (or close to it). Some state schools also have good FA for in state students.</p>
<p>I know this means additional applications and fee waivers, but it may result in a good offer somewhere.</p>
<p>I agree with it being worth it to pay to send the scores if it means acceptance and FA to college. Have you tried asking at your church or house of worship? Some ministers have a fund for people in need. Also, your school PTA may have an emergency fund for students in need to help with this. One day, when you are a college grad you can then pay it forward for some other student.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the great advice (excluding the ignorant seventh poster of course). I’m trying to get in contact with my school to see if they have any of the above mentioned funds. Also, I assumed that Occidental and USD would be good safety schools since I fall above the stats of the average accepted student and both have acceptance rates of 50%. I’m also applying to my state school in hopes that ill get a good merit scholarship.</p>
<p>Neither Occidental nor USD promise to “meet need” so those aren’t safeties either. A safety has to be affordable. Getting admitted to a school with a big gap in aid won’t work out.</p>
<p>Do you have a part-time job? </p>
<p>Contact your schools and tell them about your issue. Your scores will be on stickies on your HS transcript, so find out if they’ll use those until you can get your official scores sent.</p>
Thank you for your help. Happy holidays</p>