I don’t know where anyone is seeing full rides for OOS. Those are exceptionally rare. I’ve been on CC for quite some time and I haven’t seen one. My son is Salutatorian of his class and he is having to go in-state because he didn’t get enough merit OOS.
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The only way to get big money is a private school. And you have to find one that will meet full demonstrated need. Like the publics, they are few…well more than a few…but elite. Some are need blind but some are need aware - so if you need too much, they may turn you down even if otherwise qualified.
So unfortunately, the person needed advanced guidance up front.
Then on the privates the FAFSA is not relevant. The CSS has to be done and while you think you can afford $10K a year, somehow you find out quickly they think you can afford $40 or $60K…basically everything you have til you’re bone dry 
In many cases though, privates come cheaper than publics. If you have great grades/test scores - not that $10K will do it But Alabama, MS State, Florida State, UAH, Arizona…all affordable schools with merit aid.
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Thank you all for your help! Really appreciate it. In hindsight, she should’ve applied to more private schools that are financially secure and more willing to be generous.
Sad that my daughter got accepted to several desired OOS schools yet can’t go because of $. She’ll have to choose an in-state school (U of IL). At least it’s a great school and she’ll only be a couple hrs away from us.
Thank you all once again!
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Middle class and even some upper middle class people in the northeast (where housing costs are really high) are particularly affected by this - they make too much money to get any need based aid, but can’t necessarily afford the $50-70k per year they are told they need to pay in tuition either. Usually the state flagship is the best deal for these students.
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Yep, that’s us! Unfortunately our flagship (Rutgers) is about $28,000, with merit a lot of OOS public’s come down to $33,000 - $37,000 (with one at $28,000). Our EFC is insane, especially with 3 this year. One of my seniors did get a nice offer from a private bringing it down to $20,000, she’s going to check it out more.
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If she’s a couple hours away, it’s like being OOS. Illinois is a fantastic school btw. But all of Illinois is going to the U of Alabama because the merit is monster and it’s much cheaper - and nicer. I mean, UIUC and it’s just my opinion is a dreadful campus. Alabama, much nicer. But - IT’S A FANTASTIC SCHOOL. Kids worry their public school is their high school…but it’s not. She could have gone to Wisconsin or Purdue and been a few hours away…it’s no different. Distance doesn’t understand the state borders.
I believe MS State - very nice campus - solid depending on the major although not U of I - they are still taking apps…if she got into U of I, she will get $$ there. They tell you up front b4 you apply. It will be cheaper OOS than in-state UIUC but harder to get to.
Scholarships | Office of Admissions and Scholarships (msstate.edu)
Arizona is a May 3 deadline. If you have a 4.0, you get $35K vs. $37K. My daughter had one B - she got $30K. it’s also published.
Look at Alabama too but i think it says Feb 1st.
these are all easy apps - take 20 mins…may or may not be on common app but no essays, etc.
They all, especially alabama which is 60% OOS, are paying big money to bring top tier talent from NY, NJ, Illinois, etc.
Good luck.
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Here’s a little more perspective
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Good luck. It’s not easy.
We did a mix of private and public schools and you’re absolutely right that private is far more generous. Also, just better overall to deal with - nicer and more personal. Butler was hands down the best in every regard. My son wanted a state school though having gone to a very tiny public school without things like a football team. I do wish we would’ve looked more at other OOS schools rather than ones just in neighboring states. I regret the amount of effort we wasted on IU in particular. I’ll know more next time around!
As i just wrote - i think you can still apply to Arizona and MS State…amongst others. Those schools i know will give you great offers…if you got into UIUC you’ll get great offers there and both are much nicer. Well anything is nicer than UIUC but it is a great school nonetheless.
Some states still do that with generous out-of-state merit scholarships. However, changing politics and budget issues in the states can affect whether such merit scholarships are continued (note the threads about Florida bills that may affect some of the scholarships).
We’re in Missouri so its Mizzou for us. I’ve never been to UIUC but I had always heard it was nice? I guess not! Good to know. So my S is off to Mizzou though I might have him glance at Arizona and MS State just for the hell of it. We learned the hard way that college is a just a business.
I looked at Mizzou for the person who started the chain but it’s too late. Yes, they have solid merit too.
You don’t read much about Mizzou - but it’s another solid state school. I mean, honestly, they’re all solid. I know they’ve had some racial issues there that took some of the luster off the school.
But i’m sure it’s fine - and probably really good for some majors - like journalism.
They have gotten less common over the years.
Several years ago, there was this site: http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ . It is now very out-of-date, since it has not been updates for years, but you can compare what was available several years ago to what is available now. Many of the listed ones no longer exist, have gotten smaller, or have become competitive rather than automatic-for-stats.
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Right? It’s a state flagship school like just about every other state flagship school. There’s really not enough of a difference in them to justify the higher tuition, at least that’s what I keep telling my S. Mizzou is most known for journalism and our entire state (I live in St Louis - home of the Ferguson riots) is known for our horrific history with race issues. Ugh.
My niece had an amazing deal at Louisiana Tech (OOS) a few years back. She was an English major. I know she got full tuition plus money for study abroad. She might have had room & board, but I can’t remember for sure. She is from the Midwest & could have gone to UMich. But she chose what was a much less expensive route (UM isn’t cheap), and she never regretted it. Being debt free allowed her to do what she wanted to do after graduation. There are many paths to take, and rarely is there just one that is right.
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What are her stats? Where do you live? What is she hoping to major in? What’s your budget?
If you can answer these 4 questions, we may be able to help her get OOS then let you decide what’s the best choice. At least she’ll have a choice
My situation will also be my daughter (or more likely my husband and I) will need to borrow about 20-25k in addition to (on top of) all of the grants and scholarships and Fed unsub loan. We are not low-income and will not qualify for loan products geared toward low income. Question, is the Direct Parent Plus from studentaid.gov how people bridge the gap or are there outside companies that do student/parent loans at reasonable rates? Or both? Finally, we do not own a home, will we be able to get these loans if we have good credit? Very confused about that leg of the journey.
20-25k per year or total?
If per year, the college is unaffordable. Can we help you find a more affordable one?
If Total for 4 years, ie., borrowing 4-5k per year, you’d use Parent PLUS.
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sadly no, it would be 20-25k per year for 4 years. Does Parent Plus have a limit?