EFC=0; share your experiences on applying to private schools?

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I am about to graduate from community college. 24 years old. I have just applied to a few private schools in the northwest for January admission. Whitman College, Pacific Lutheran University, and Willamette University. I am very nervous, though, about what my situation will actually be next spring.</p>

<p>I have a 3.97 gpa and I hope getting in is not a problem. My concern is with financial aid. I was wondering if some people out there who have had to go through this can share their experiences with me.</p>

<p>Currently I attend school, and through taking out ~$7k / year in loans the rest is covered through grants. However, this is at a school where the cost of attendance is $15k/year.</p>

<p>Whitman and Willamette are $45k/year. PLU closer to $35k/year. I am just trying to fathom how my financial aid will be met.</p>

<p>Can others with an EFC of zero and no money elaborate on what kind of financial award letters they received from both private and public schools? Do grants and scholarships really come through or are you mostly relying on loans?</p>

<p>I am trying to decide if I should apply to some back up public schools, but paying $50 app fees is rough. Through the Western Undergraduate exchange program, I know I can go to a lot of schools for under $20k/year. But most of the schools in this program are not very appealing, pretty much the bottom half of the public schools trying to make themselves more attractive.</p>

<p>I did see, for example, I can go to the University of Nevada reno, for example, for $18k/year. With a $5k pell grant, that is a maximum of 13k/year in loans I would have to take out. I would really prefer not to go into any more debt a year than that.</p>

<p>I guess it boils down to the basic question, with a 3.97 GPA and a EFC of 0 is there anyway I can expect $30,000+ of grants/scholarships to Whitman/Willamette or $20,000+ to PLU?</p>

2

<p>We have an EFC=0. My son was accepted to 6 or so LACs and one state U. He got full ride offers at two schools, including his first choice. Several of the other schools gapped him with loans. Based on our experience, I would target schools that meet 100% of demonstrated need and are strong matches for you. Yes, there is money out there. My son does not have loans or work-study – his entire package is grants and is very generous.</p>

3

<p>Congrats on your great gpa so far! Have you researched department/transfer scholarships available at the schools you’re interested in? </p>

<p>I would add at least one public to that list - call them and ask if they’ll waive the app fee if you’d like, the worst they can say is no! Are you applying through the Western Exchange because your program is not offered at most schools? If not, I’m sure you can find the best public school and hopefully you’ll be eligible for supplemental federal and state grants, in addition to scholarships. You might also explore ways to cut the COA - perhaps living off campus, etc.</p>

4

<p>Applying to some in-state publics would be important. Most schools can not meet anywhere near the full financial need of students with 0 EFC. In addition, many schools don’t provide financial aid to transfer students. This may even be true for some schools that are generous with incoming freshmen. Check to see whether any instate public schools provide financial aid to transfers from in state community colleges as some schools do</p>

5

<p>“Most schools can not meet anywhere near the full financial need of students with 0 EFC.”</p>

<p>^^ Yes, only top schools promise to meet 100% of a student’s need. And in many cases the package includes some form of self-help, either loans or work-study.</p>

<p>You should definitely apply to a couple of “back up” schools - - and remember, many schools waive the application fee if the student use the electronic application (instead of the paper app).</p>

<p>Finally, although I am unfamiliar with west coast school, I know that a number of prominent east coast schools have at leas informal relationships with community college and accept a number of cc grads every year as jr transferrs - - with financial aid.</p>