Cornell Financial Aid Help

[Mom2aphysicsgeek]

@row566 It is beyond unlikely that you will be awarded need-based institutional aid or grants bringing costs down $16,000. The sooner you accept that financial reality, the sooner you can create an application plan that leaves you with options in the spring.

You have a 1430 CR+M. With those scores it is possible to get enough merit scholarships at lower ranked schools to get your college costs down to $16,000/yr (that is the approx cost of room, board, books.) The universities/colleges might not be ones you initially want to consider, but they are still solid academic options. Many of them have elite honors programs filled with top performing kids.

You aren’t the first, or the last, kid whose college budget is extremely limited and the budget dashes the dreams of an elite university. Your future, like theirs, is wide open to the opportunities you pursue while an UG at whatever school you attend. You can define your UG experience, and what you accomplish as UG can open the doors you want. The school name does not have to do it for you.

Fwiw, I know it is possible bc it is the approach my own kids with a disabled adult brother, a lot of siblings, and parents who say “the budget is what it is” have to deal with. With the exception of our disabled adult, every one of our older kids has been able to successfully pursue the degrees/careers they have wanted. We have a high school sr on the merit hunt. She will have great options come spring bc she is applying wisely.

Basically you have 2 options. You can shift it into gear and start researching and applying now bc many competitive scholarships have Oct 15/Nov 1 deadlines. Or you can hope that your circumstances change and lose out on those opportunities bc you don’t apply.

Fwiw, researching schools and likelihood of awards will improve your outcomes come spring. You mentioned the University of Pittsburg. Have you spent time on their admissions page? Your stats don’t put you in the “guaranteed throwing large amounts of merit money” at you category. Keep the information below in mind bc it shows just how strong some students are at these schools and how competitive some scholarships and programs are and that competition is national.

What are the requirements?

Criteria for scholarship consideration include SAT/ACT results, overall grade point average, class rank (if applicable), and strength of curriculum. Activities outside of the classroom such as leadership positions, athletics, community service, etc. are reviewed but given secondary consideration.

In recent years, scholarship eligible students possessed ALL of the following:

**minimum SAT score of 1490 (math and critical reading scores only) **or 33 ACT composite
overall ‘A’ average
top 5% class rank (if applicable) while participating in challenging high school curriculums consisting of AP/IB/Honors courses
record of excellence in various academic and nonacademic activities outside of the classroom

If you are seeking a Chancellor’s Scholarship nomination, please note: While there are no specific SAT/ACT or high school grade point average requirements, the Scholarship Committee seeks a demonstrated record of academic excellence. In recent years, the academic profile of a typical Chancellor’s Scholarship nominee consisted of a minimum SAT score of 1490 or 33 ACT composite score, a top 5% high school class rank (if applicable), and an ‘A’ average in challenging high school curriculums consisting of AP/IB/Honors courses. Further, the Scholarship Committee seeks an appropriate balance of nominees from all majors and professional schools.

You turned your nose up at Alabama, but their scholarship $$ is guaranteed and they have some great programs. I would suggest applying to some guaranteed scholarship schools if you want to ensure affordable options to choose amg.