Thumper’s right that a 140k income brings a higher EFC. I’d say, go back and ensure no mistakes on the Fafsa (or an estimator, if that’s what you used.) Then do the NPCs.
And find “financial safeties.”
CSS schools are going to determine a much higher EFC. Sounds like dad took a bunch of deductions to get his agi income down low enough for a FAFSA EFC that low. CSS schools will likely add many of those deductions back in.
I need to make a correction here. A big one. I was way off with the EFC figure. I did receive notification from FAFSA a day ago. ( I was not aware of it until I went on FAFSA website last night) and they calculated my EFC at 44,000.00. So basically, I am screwed in thinking I can hope my school choices come back with a package at 35,000.00.
You need to apply to Temple Honors through the Temple Option (ie., test optional) NOW, as well as Penn State (not test optional but they weight GPA and course rigor twice more than test scores and if you apply DUS, Ag, or CLA+summer session you could get into UP, or perhaps with a 2+2, which would be within range for your budget and better than PASSHE; my advice is to pick Altoona for an alternate campus). I’m assuming your unweighted GPA is 3.4 or 3.5. Deadline is Nov 30 I think.
Pitt focuses much more on test scores so it’s out.
If you get into more colleges and they’re affordable, you’ll drop Temple and PSU like hot potatoes but if no other college comes through, at least you’ll have that choice.
Most colleges will consider 44K the MINIMUM your family can afford.
Therefore, you’ll need merit aid (money the college gives as an incentive to make you attend).
Unfortunately, merit aid rests on test scores - any chance you can retake both ACT and SAT in December? (And prep every day till then?)
What’s your UNWEIGHTED GPA?
Some test optional colleges on which you should run the NPC: Elizabethtown, Susquehanna, Allegheny, Lycoming, Juniata, Lebanon Valley, Marist, Wheaton MA, Goucher. Also look into Truman State, SUNY Plattsburgh, UMaine Orono, UMaine Farmington, UToledo, UAkron, Youngstown State, Gannon, St Bonaventure, Capital OH. If you’re a girl, Simmons, Chatham.
Thanks for this advice. I really appreciate it.
^can you answer the questions in #23?
Not taking the SAT or ACT again. I don’t do well with those tests and preparing weeks in advance. I am taking an AP stats class which consumes a lot of my time. I have to consult with guidance to calculate my unweighted GPA. Our school only goes by weight.
You can calculate it yourself:
Add each grade (4=A, 3.7=A-, 3.3=B+, 3=B, 2.7=B-, 2.3=C+, 2=C, 1=D, F=0)
Divide by the number of grades.
That’s your unweighted GPA.
How many AP+Honors classes will you have taken by graduation?
(For PSU, a recommendation is 15+)
In any case, run the NPC on all the colleges I listed.
Apply to all those that seem to be within price range for you.
Note that if your parents can afford 35K, you take 5.5k in loans, and you start working part time and saving money, moving to full time after graduation, you could end up with 44K (your EFC).
If your parents didn’t go to college or you live in a lower performing district (urban or rural), you could get extra scholarships from Temple.
The SUNYs cost ~$30k/year for OOS students. You might try sending apps in to a couple of them. Cortland, Fredonia, and Brockport are all good possibilities.
Look into SUNys indeed (Plattsburgh, Cortland, Fredonia, Brockport have all been mentioned).
You would probably benefit from the smaller class sizes (more interaction, more attention paid to you as an individual) at a smaller private such as the ones listed before, like in #23, though.)
I would also suggest you apply to a couple of Penn state campuses…not the flagship…but the others. They might be affordable.
$30,000 plus the Direct Loan of $5500 will come close to covering your costs at a SUNY.
You might also want to look at some of the Ohio schools…Kent State, University of Toledo, Bowling Green, Youngstown.