<p>In addition to CSUs and UC’s (including UCSC), I second Muhlenberg and Ithaca - your son should look very quickly to see if they have merit scholarships that he could apply to since his stats would be competitive.
Aside public state schools, #1 source of financial aid comes from the institution, so the more the institution has, the more can give, and the more “desirable” academically your son is to them, the more likely the nice financial aid package.</p>
<p>Second, look at BA’s in theater at 100% need schools (since you’re unemployed, your need is high. Wealthy schools have lots of money - from Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, to Grinnell and other “elite” LACs. That’s why you qualify for super nice financial aid packages even if you make $180,000 at Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc, and would have <em>nothing</em> to pay if your income is below $60,000.)
I understand your son wants a BFA, but if the BFA is unaffordable and a BA at a “100% need” school is affordable, it might be worth looking into.
[100%</a> Meet Need Colleges | CollegeGreenlight](<a href=“Colleges with Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students”>Colleges with Need-Blind Admission for U.S. Students)</p>
<p>U Cincinatti also has a terrific drama program and holds auditions. Their merit scholarship and application for the CCM are due December 1 though!!
[Cincinnatus</a> Scholarship Program, University of Cincinnati](<a href=“Student Financial Aid - About UC | University of Cincinnati”>Student Financial Aid - About UC | University of Cincinnati)
[Drama</a>, University of Cincinnati](<a href=“Acting | University of Cincinnati”>Acting | University of Cincinnati)
[CCM</a> Drama- Application Process, University of Cincinnati](<a href=“Acting | University of Cincinnati”>Acting | University of Cincinnati)
They encourage applicants to apply for the Cincinatus program, which can be complement by a talent scholarship (or a stand-alone talent scholarship that is not full-ride). Your son’s stats make him competitive for the Cincinatus and if he got into the CCM he’d be as close to a full ride as an actor can be. DEADLINE DEC 1.</p>
<p>If you currently make $60,000 and under (as I assume is the case since you’re unemployed), an option may be Berea. Certainly not where he’d like to attend, location-wise, but a good Theater program and most importantly all admitted students automatically get a full tuition scholarship and, thanks to donor and alumni, get “free room and board” in exchange for working each week on campus. In effect, it’s a full ride scholarship. The first year it may mean working at the college’s farm, but apparently theater majors who’ve passed “Sophomore review” can work for the on-campus theater.
[Home</a> - Theatre Program](<a href=“http://www.berea.edu/thr/]Home”>Theatre - Berea College)</p>
<p>Other nice cities for theater are Chicago and Minneapolis St Paul.
Lake Forest, near Chicago, would likely offer merit aid for stats and there’s a scholarship for theater.
Macalester is right in the middle of St Paul and it meets 100% need (run the Net Price Calculator, but you could get a “full” ride" if you make under $49,000 a year.)
[Theatre</a> and Dance - Macalester College](<a href=“http://www.macalester.edu/academics/theatreanddance/]Theatre”>http://www.macalester.edu/academics/theatreanddance/)</p>
<p>Check out Occidental and Chapman - he’s more likely to get a nice financial aid package from Chapman though but Occidental may be interested. Same thing at Pitzer. They meet need.</p>
<p>Whenhen’s solution (SBCC then UCSB) may be the cheapest and since community college deadlines aren’t near yet, you have more time to explore it. Check out SBCC’s website to see if there are deadlines for the Honors Program and housing.</p>
<p>Also, has he requested the fee waivers for the applications from his guidance counselor?</p>