<p>Stupid title, I know. Here's the thing, my family's income is above $150,000 annually, but none of us really ever see it. My father is in a tremendous amount of debt and owes in IRS and alimony expenses. On all of the EFC calculators I've used, I've found that colleges expect my family to pay the tuition in its entirety! Obviously, this is not an option. I've tried discussing my future college plans with my family and they say that we cannot spend more than 8,000 a year (tuition + room and boarding + fees).</p>
<p>I'm posting to get advice or help from anyone that has been in my situation or has an idea of what I should do. </p>
<p>Here are some of my stand out 'stats'....</p>
<p>-11th grade
-Member of National Society of High School Scholars
-SAT 'superscore' 2030 (math 700, writing 700, reading 630)
-best SAT single sitting score 1970 (math 700, writing 700, reading....570)
-GPA of ~3.9
-No AP classes (limited curriculum)
-5 years (one accelerated course, one summer course) of math; I'm currently learning calculus
-TWENTY hours of community service (yeah yeah, I'm horrible at giving back to my community....)
-1 year of volleyball, 2 years of softball (two awards; one award for MVP, one for most improved.)
-Taking courses at a local community college.
-Several academic awards (i.e. "Excellence in Spanish, Geometry, History, English, etc.)</p>
<p>Other diminutive yet possibly notable characteristics:
-Single parent family
-Excluding my older sister, I will be the first of my family to attend college. (So kind of first generation college attendance?)</p>
<p>Any advice or ideas? I'm open to attend any college in California or the rest of the country just as long as the whole package is inexpensive.</p>
<p>Your best bet is probably 2 years at a CC and 2 at your state flagship. Schools that meet need will probably give you little and 'm not seeing the stats for big merit.</p>
<p>The next time you are at that community college, pop in to the Transfer Counselor’s office, and ask where they send their graduates. If money is tight, finishing up your Associates degree with a good GPA and membership in Phi Theta Kappa could mean transfer to some place that will be within your budget for the last two years of college. Not the experience you are dreaming of right now perhaps, but financially workable.</p>
<p>Please stop suggesting ROTC scholarships for kids that want to pay for school. That is not what they are intended for. </p>
<p>Only go ROTC if your #1 goal in life is to serve your country as an officer. Those kids just wanting the money are quickly weeded out and are left with no way to pay for school.</p>
<p>My D made some very high score on ASVAB (all the seniors had to take in on PSAT day) and the recruiters just plagued us. Called at least twice a week for several months both about GI bill and ROTC. </p>
<p>What is your experience? Is it really difficult to get ROTC scholarship?</p>
<p>ASAVAB has zero to do with ROTC. Not even considered. </p>
<p>Which branch of the service were you interested in more ROTC info for? They have very different programs and requirements. </p>
<p>Depending on the branch of the service ROTC scholarships can be very very difficult to obtain. </p>
<p>The recruiters contacting you are enlisted recruiters. They get no credit for ROTC recruitments and will push you towards enlisted. In th vast majority of cases the enlisted recruiters no nothing about ROTC and will provide bad info ROTC is a totally separate process.</p>
<p>Well, they first talked to my daughter about GI bill. I told her to tell them that she was a minor and they had to talk to me. When they tried to talk to me I told them she was already going to college and was not interested. Then Army recruiters (from 2 or 3 different places actually) asked what colleges she was accepted to and asked if she was interested in Army ROTC. Invited to visit and get more information.</p>
<p>‘rich kids’ scholarships = merit scholarships. As mentioned above you need to bring up your SAT or ACT score. Many people do better on one test over the other and schools will use either one for scholarship consideration.</p>
<p>You said you are from a single parent home. Is the $150,000 income you mention only from the parent you live with? Correct me if I am wrong, but don’t they just count the income from the parent you live with if you apply to a FAFSA only school?
Your stats look pretty good, so take those SAT’s and ACT again - I bet you qualify for some merit money.</p>
<p>No FAFSA-only school provides really significant need-based financial aid. Any school doling out a significant need-based component wants non-custodial parental info.</p>
<p>Ya Ya, Army is the least competitive of the branches for ROTC by far. Your DD probably has a good chance if that is what she wants to do. I stand by my statement - don’t make an ROTC commitment unless her #1 priority is to become an Army officer. If she is doing it to pay for school she won’t make it through. I’ve seen it dozens of times in person. After talking with an ROTC student for about 5 minutes I can tell if they will make it. If they are doing it for the money they drop out. Then they have a problem because they cannot pay for school.</p>
<p>Also, keep in mind that an Army officer more than likely will be deployed into a combat situation upon graduation.</p>
<p>I’m happy to discuss via PM if you like. Don’t want to hijack this thread.</p>
<p>dlbarber~
Yes, the 150,000 is from one parent only, my father.
Too bad I can’t put on the FAFSA form what he actually gets to see!</p>
<p>Everyone else, thanks for the tips, links, and encouragement!
If anyone still wants to respond, why should I take BOTH the SAT and ACT? Why do colleges care which one a student takes and submits?</p>