Chances to get aid

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi, I'm a senior in high school and my family situation is a bit peculiar. My parents are divorced, I live with my mother that is not a us citizen (and thus doesn't file us tax) and doesn't make a lot of money. My father is a us citizen (does file us tax) and is a lawyer and better of but now is retired and has little income. I myself am a US citizen too, but neither one of the three of us reside in the states, we reside in Spain. I'm very interested in studying in the states and both my parents are very willing to support me, they have assured me that they will take as many private loans as needed but I would prefer to not have them do that. I have a couple questions, when computing need do colleges only take into account raw income or would they consider the different situation of countries such as Spain (where my parents live) that have much higher taxes?</p>

<p>I have a 1470 SAT score (CR + M) and I'm doing the IB Diploma which I expect to get with very good grades and have a very challenging high school curriculum and expect to have a GPA of almost 10 on a 10 point scale, I'm also ethnically hispanic. With my qualifications I was hoping to be able to compete at the top colleges but is there any college lower on the ranking list that I should consider that would offer me good finantial aid?</p>

<p>Thank you very much.</p>

2

<p>With your scores and grades you should also consider schools with good merit aid. Look at the pinned threads in this forum for some options.</p>

3

<p>Because YOU are a US citizen, you qualify for federal aid based on your mother’s financials. THough she does not file US (or maybe no Country’s) tax returns, she still needs to fill out a FAFSA. On it would be any support money she gets from your father and any other income she gets .</p>

<p>Yes, do look at the schools that give good merit aid. The schools that use PROFILE tend to ask for NCP financials, though you can research them and see what may not use or are less heavy on NCP info. If the info is not on the web site call and ask. RUn NCPs with each parent’s number and combing and see what kind expected contribution you get from representative colleges. The info will likely be way off but can give you some idea of what you will be expected to pay. Your father is eligible to apply for PLUS (parent loan), your mother is not.</p>

4

<p>The schools that give the best need-based aid will look at both parents’ incomes.</p>

<p>You can receive good merit scholarships at a number of schools.</p>

<p>Right now, neither parents makes much money but they’re willing to take out a bunch of loans? That is crazy and unnecessary.</p>

5

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even if it is possible.</p>