<p>thanks for the clarification</p>
<p>COlsen573…you need to call the financial aid offices at some of the schools on your list and listen to what they say. Maybe someone will tell you that you are an independent student at this time…but truthfully, I don’t believe that’s the case. </p>
<p>PLUS even IF they did…those public universities on your list will have OOS costs in excess of $30,000 for one year of study. The financial aid at these schools does not guarantee to meet your full need anyway. Even IF (and I mean if…because you do have a substantial income for this year according to your posts) you have a low EFC, this would only be for the federally funded aid programs which won’t cover more than about 1/4 of that cost and that includes loans. </p>
<p>Honestly, I think you sound like a sharp enough individual who just doesn’t want to believe what is being told to you. AND this is, after all, a message board. So contact the colleges directly and hear it from them.</p>
<p>You might want to check to see if you are eligible for instate tuition in New York where your family resides. </p>
<p>You might want to reconsider your list so that it is more reflective of schools you can afford to attend. There should be one school on EVERY student’s list that they could afford to attend AND would attend without any financial aid…or with guaranteed merit aid.</p>
<p>Perhaps you could look for another job where the employer pays a portion of the cost of college attendance.</p>
<p>thumper what schools would you consider i look at, other than ones in new york which i already have… this is the point of the thread…</p>
<p>If you live in California, even though you are not considered independent by FAFSA standards, are you in-state there? Because the California University system is wonderful. It may even be better than some of the schools you are mentioning, and if you are a resident, they would cost a lot less.</p>
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<p>Your SAT score is OK. In my opinion, your GPA is on the lower side for many of these schools especially since you really seem to need or want financial aid. Is that correct?</p>
<ul>
<li>Indiana U Blooming</li>
<li>Purdue U</li>
<li>U Arizona</li>
<li>U Illinois Urbana</li>
<li>U Maryland Coll Park</li>
<li>U Mass Amherst</li>
<li>U Minn Twin Cities</li>
<li>U Pittsburgh</li>
<li>U Washington</li>
<li>U Wis Madison</li>
</ul>
<p>I don’t know a speck about admissions to these schools except UMD College Park. My son had higher SAT and GPA than you and didn’t get accepted…never mind financial aid.</p>
<p>How do your SAT scores break down (CR/Math/Writing). That would make a difference. 1980 is good if the scores are fairly even which would make each in the 660 range. </p>
<p>What did you do in your gap year? I know you worked, but if your job is in the computer science field, that could be beneficial for you in admittance. I’m not sure it would affect financial aid.</p>
<p>Please clarify what you are looking for? Are you looking for a computer science program at an affordable school? Are you looking for a computer science program where you might get a scholarship? Are you looking for a computer science program at an inexpensive university (if that is the question, you need to look where you are an instate resident at the public universities there)?</p>
<p>You might want to post this question on the Parents Forum.</p>
<p>“I’m looking for a computer science program at an affordable college or university. I earned about $40,000 this past year. My family lives in NY state and I have lived in CA for the past year (is that correct?) working. I now want to pursue a degree in computer science and am looking for good programs that may be affordable for me. My SATs were 1980 and my GPA was a 3.2”</p>
<p>By the way…what does “circumstantial” mean?</p>
<p>( some of the )top public national universities in CA
Berkeley
UCLA
UCSD
UCD
UCI
UCSB</p>
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<p>P.S. If you are considered a California resident, you would be eligible for instate tuition. I’m not sure what having your 18th birthday in the state has to do with your residency.</p>
<p>Also…question. Are you remaining in CA for this upcoming year (the 2008-09 school year) and applying for admission to college for fall 2009? Because if so, you will have lived apart from your family for TWO years with a two year gap year. Or did you just graduate from high school?</p>
<p>I’m quite confused by your story.</p>
<p>I think someone asked this question before but I am going to ask it again.</p>
<p>Do you work as a permanent full time employee for a corporation?</p>
<p>If yes, does your employer offer a tuition aid plan? If yes, you may have to go to school locally after work, but atleast your employer will be able to reimburse you (some employers will pay upfront) the cost of tuition for your shcool. Especially if it is something job related.</p>
<p>this may be an option worth looking in to. Even if you must delay school until you be come a CA resident. At least this way, you would get in-state tuition, if your employer offers tuition reimbursement, you pay for classes and then get reimbursed at the end of the term provided you meet the guidelines set by your company. (for example I used to work for a company that gave full tuition reimbursement as long as you pased the class, regardless of grade)</p>
<p>Again, this maybe worth looking into. Another thing to consider, if you can get employed at a college or university, many of them give free tuition to their employees. Again, you will nto have the college experience because you will be working and attending classes in the evening, but it is also something to consider.</p>
<p>ooo lots of comments
My sats were math - 700 , cr - 660, w - 610 with like an 11 on the essay</p>
<p>My job is a one year contract working as an IT Support Technician (both hardware and networking)</p>
<p>This fall i would be going to american university if i hadnt decided to take a gap year (only one year)</p>
<p>I don’t believe we have a tuition plan but it doesnt matter I’m looking to go for a full four years and get a true college experience.</p>
<p>I’m still confused. Where did you live in June 2008 when you graduated from high school? If you lived in NY, you are a NY resident now. </p>
<p>You keep saying that you lived in CA for a year…has that happened already or is that something that is going to happen?</p>
<p>Did you defer your admittance to American University? Or are you planning to completely reapply.</p>
<p>You might want to consider University of South Carolina. I don’t know about computer science, but I do know they have a good engineering program and sometimes those walk hand in hand. With your SAT scores, you might be eligible for one of the OOS scholarships, but your GPA might be on the low side for consideration for that.</p>
<p>Are you planning to apply to one of the SUNY campuses? Prices for instate students is very modest.</p>
<p>Lehigh University has an excellent computer science/computer engineering program but I don’t think you would get a scholarship there…but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>Have your considered RPI?</p>
<p>i was rejected to lehigh in the past so i dont think im going to reapply there, im planning on completely reapplying. I moved to California after living in New York for 17 years, this May to finish up high school and start my computer certification program that I’m currently doing (which also sets me up with a 1 year contract job). The thing about USC is i dont think i would get in..but yeah maybe I’ll still apply…I never took the SAT II’s so im pretty sure that will count me out. I’m not really interested in going to the SUNY’s even though I probably would still get instate tuition, I’m looking for a strong comp sci program (USC’s is incredible). Also yes Ive considered RPI but after living in a city bordering troy, and going to the campus often, i know too much about it to ever want to go there..</p>
<p>So you finished high school in CA in June 2008. Your “gap year” will be this coming year. I get it now. </p>
<p>I was referring to University of South Carolina in my post…not University of Southern California. U of South Carolina might be attainable for you.</p>
<p>I do think that the option of working and having your tuition paid is a great option for you if finances are a serious consideration.</p>
<p>Well i mean i can take loans out if i have to..
Id rather have debt and get a strong college degree and have strong internship opportunities</p>