<p>THe crux of any college search is finding that affordable school that meets the student’s needs. If your niece wants to become a nurse or go into some other medical technology type program, the CC or local hospital programs maybe her best bet. My husband’s colleague who could have afforded any number of options has two daughters who went that route. It was for them the best way to achieve that goal. By living at home, she could cut down on cost a lot, and it seems that the 3 squares and a cot are all her parents are going to be able to give her. Which is a lot when you look at what room and board costs. So the local options, including the CC are really the most cost effective ways to go. From what I have been hearing a nursing program has no real safety options as they are competitive. BUt your niece’s grades will give her a good shot at it.</p>
<p>I also recommend that you look at Momfromtexas’s thread on Full ride schoalarships and start doing some searches using her tips, that may result in some full or near full rides for her. They would involve going to schools off the beaten track.</p>
<p>As you know, she is highly unlikely to get much financial aid. One child and parents at that income level will come out to a high EFC. Her test scores do not put her into a good place for any sizeable merit awards. Yes, it’s the test scores that count the most for scholarships. So she is really just looking at a maximum of $9500 in Stafford loans if her parents get turned down by PLUS.</p>
<p>Look at some of the in state options in Illinois and see if there are any that come close to being possible. I just don’t think so. I also think two hours each way is too much, though it may be the only viable 4 year option if a hospital program does not accept her. </p>
<p>The other thing to consider is for her to take out the maximum loans, work as much as she can as she goes to school locally, squeeze as much out of her parents and bank the unused loan proceeds, earnings and whatever. Perhaps open an account with her Mom and put the money in there for the future so it is not in under the student’s ssn and is payment for room and board while she is there. If she can accumulate the credits to transfer, she’ll then have those savings as well as what she can borrow as a transfer student. With a job, she might be able to squeeze by.</p>
<p>The other option which is what my friend’s girls did was for her to get a technical certificate or AA degree in a desirable field where she can find work that pays enough for her to then go move near a college where she can get her 4 year degree. My friend’s two DDs did this. They took CC coursse and got jobs in another city paying enough to make it a go and they got their 4 year degree, at least one of them did for certain, while working as a medical billing/coding clerk. She made enough money to be able to pay her for room and her other expenses and some. She then took part time courses at the local state u. SHe was not on campus, just found a room share in the student “ghetto” that was affordable. </p>
<p>None of these solutions are ideal, I know. But that is the reality of the choices unless a lottery ticket hits in the way of a nice scholarship. She should talk to her guidance counselor about where she could apply to maximize something else materialising, given that her parents are not going to be able to contribute to her college education. The school counselors often have info on where some kids hit some scholarship jackpots with her stats. </p>
<p>Once she has these plans in place that can work in case no school give her enough money to make it work, she can give some traditional outlets a go too. Sometimes things do come up. BUt this way her base is covered.</p>