@AngryCarp, you are missing something. The OP can’t take out federal loans (or probably get any need based grants, either) unless the parents fill out the FAFSA form. So the OP does need cooperation from the parents.
Vassar was very kind to work with family at one time. They set the bar for the other colleges in terms of helping in this way and were given the first award for this. (I think that Amherst was given the second award.)
In any event, because student wasn’t able to pay for college in Year 1 and had parents who were entirely unwilling and unable to pay for any part of the education, at the time Vassar worked with student to defer for one year, and then a second year because of additional circumstances. During this time, Parent wrote letter declaring student to be “indigent” and independent. Vassar was then able to develop the financial aid package for student. It’s unclear if they still work this way, but you may try Vassar.
But the parents would need to file a FAFSA to get the Pell grant too. Without that, this student would be paying MORE for even a community college. Once the FAFSA is filed in October to any college, the student can go in and add other schools.
Are you an URM? Apply to University of Pittsburgh and Ohio State, you might get a major diversity scholarship.
Apply soon.
Also see what the net price calculator says for Allegheny College and U Scranton.
Bucknell meets full need.
There are quite a few colleges that meet need. But they do assume that the students will take out federal loans You need to get your parents past that – you need to get an education to get out of poverty. Also, UMass has really high fees (low tuition, but huge fees). Look at all the cost before assuming they would be any cheaper than the other schools you are talking about.
I would keep applying to these colleges that have promising financial aid estimates. Hopefully your parents will allow you accept your best offer from the places you get in.
A lot of times low SES students get stuck with even more than the standard federal loans (via the Perkins loan). A package for an expensive private school with only a 1K loan inside is fabulous. Once you have the offer in hand, use your teachers and counselor to convince your parents that it is truly fabulous.
I understand that they don’t want you to go into massive debt (and they are right) but the loan amounts they are specifying are awfully low.
And why are your earnings absent from this discussion? How much were you able to save from last summer’s job? Will you be able to go back next summer? You should also be able to estimate how much you will be able to earn in college during the term and over the summer.
Bates and Middlebury are giving you a far better deal than the near-full ride FA/scholarship package I received from Oberlin ~2 decades ago even before inflation is factored in.
And despite having to cover a greater amount than you would each year, I managed to defray the uncovered portion by working part-time and summers and taking a 3 figured loan in my senior year so I would have enough time for job interviews and to enjoy my senior year*.
While I had to gain my parents’ cooperation for filing financial aid forms, they ended up not having to pay one red cent for my undergrad education and the only debt I incurred was taken care of 6 months after graduation.
Judging by the information you provided, it seems like your situation is much more manageable than mine was back when I was an undergrad.
If you can get your parents’ cooperation with FA forms, you can swing the 1k or 5k loan and expenses without involving them assuming you are frugal and leverage opportunities in the areas of free food and part-time/summer jobs.
- At the time, this still ended up being a far better deal for me even when one factors in transportation and other costs than going to my local public colleges as a commuter. I'd have actually ended up in far greater debt if I had opted for the local public colleges due to the budget crises which meant far less FA even for in-state/city students.
First thing is your parents need to be realistic about the cost of college. What they suggesting simply will not work. Secondly based on the schools you are looking at 6-7k in loans would be well worth it to get a degree. Like stated those loans would be in your name only and your parents would not be responsible. I would suggest you and your parents get a understanding on how the financial process works and complete the FASA application. Direct your parents here for advice and guidance. You guys need to be on the same page regarding your choice of a college. I really don’t think your parents understand the whole college process. Knowledge is power.
I believe Colby has a “meet need with no loans” financial aid policy – the Colby Commitment. Of course if you and your parents can’t come up with what they deem to be your EFC, then you might still need to take on loans.
Is Brown’s financial aid policy that much better than Bates or Midd?
They way these generous schools present their finaid info - there is a Parents contribution and a Student contribution. In you case Parents contribution will be 0 and Student contribution will be the amounts that you are supposed to earn during the school year and the summers and possibly some Student loans. You can show your parents the NPC outputs and highlight that schools do not ask for any money from them.
@NEPatsGirl I haven’t saved anything. My parents have no money to put towards me and I only just recently got a job-- to pay for things I’ll need to buy for college. (Laptop, ect.) I can definitely work for the school in some way and get summer jobs, but my parents seem to be under the illusion that working will ruin my college experience.
@mom2collegekids In the words of my mom “If you apply for a loan anywhere then I won’t do your FAFSA”. I’ve scheduled a meeting with my counselor in hopes she can talk some sense into them.
@lookingforward my mom keeps bringing up schools like UChi and Northwestern. Every single day. But I’ve visited both campuses and they’re just schools I have no interest in going into. My mom is a foreigner so she only cares about colleges with huge names that she recognizes. She always puts undertones into our arguments that “Bates isn’t worth the loans”, which is the opposite from the truth in my perspective
@CCDD14 Literally the only reason they don’t want me going to Midd or Bates is because I showed them the NPC’s and they saw the loans/ student work section and said No.
@mommdc I’m not sure. I’m half asian (south korean) but I’ve heard that asians sometimes are not really considered to be URMS, i don’t know if it changes because I’m biracial or not. Thank you though, I will definitely look into those scholarships 
How did the Chi and NU NPCs turn out?
Let her do the Fafsa and when you get the admits and FA offers, then cross the bridge about loans. Some colleges don’t package loans for freshmen. But kids can take them or in the following years.
@lookingforward those two schools were the cheapest we found. And it helps that I live in the area, but I really didn’t feel good about Northwestern when I visited at all. UChicago was good but a lot has happened since I last visited (including some health related issues tied to my stress levels) I figure if UChi is known to be stressful and I get sick just going to my public high school it’s not such a great idea for me to go there.
OK, I run Bates NPC and they do not present info the way I hoped they do.
Bates wants 3.5K from you towards Tuition/room/board.
Amherst asks for $700. Try Williams and Princeton, that is kind of a large LAC. Obviously these 3 are much more difficult to get into.
I’m sorry, but if you are above actually working to contribute to paying for college, you aren’t going to get very far.