Hi everyone! I’m currently in a negative family situation, and really would like to find a full ride, or close to it, scholarship when I transfer schools in the fall. If you could help me by informing me of some schools or scholarships that I’m eligible for, that would be much appreciated. For example, University of Alabama has pre-set requirements for merit scholarships, but I was a few ACT points away from the minimum for a full ride.
Here are my stats:
I’m from New Jersey.
ACT: 29 Superscored: 30
High School GPA: 3.4 (unweighted)
College GPA: 3.75 (first semester)
I took highly rigorous classes in high school and college, and am majoring in Creative Writing and Sociology. I was also highly involved in the performing arts in high school, and am minoring in it in college.
On 6/25/15 you posted that you were not looking for financial aid. Is this changed current situation due to your negative family situation? If your parents can pay but refuse to pay you will only be eligible for merit aid and full ride merit aid for transfers is likely impossible.
@LaurenFlutist What is your current school? As a NJ resident, Rowan University might be affordable as a transfer student, since you are doing well and have a high GPA so far. Rowan has “transfer Tuesday” events for students to tour and meet with a transfer admissions counselor. They do offer merit aid to xsfers, although it is not clear from website if full tuition or full rides are possible. Rowan info here: http://www.rowan.edu/home/admissions-aid/transfer-students
Rowan direct costs are approx $25k this year, but if you are able to choose the less expensive housing, you could save $2k or more, and you could also get a cheaper/minimal meal plan and save there, too. Travel costs would be minimal and you can save on books by renting or buying used. What is your efc?
Rowan’s academic reputation is on the rise and there has been a lot construction and investment on the campus in recent years. It is definitely worth looking at. Hopefully it is not the school you currently attend…
Update: Thanks for all of your responses! I’m in a negative family situation, and trying to become financially independent. While my parents CAN pay, if they refuse to, how can I afford college by myself? Since this wasn’t a concern in high school, I honestly have no idea how to go about this.
In most cases you will not be financially independent for financial aid purposes until you are 24. If you lose the financial support of your parents, you will most likely have to pay for college yourself, find merit awards (which may require your parents to complete your FAFSA), or wait until you are 24.
Unless you get a full ride somewhere, I don’t think you can. The only types of aid you can get that doesn’t take your parents’ income into account are merit awards or the ~$5500/year federal student loan, and I think your patents have to fill out the FAFSA for you to get the loan.
Are your parents saying they won’t pay at all, or only for certain schools? Will they let you live at home and commute to a state school? What do they suggest you do after graduation?
Which public school in NJ are you closest to? Stockton, Rutgers Camden, Ramapo, Rowan, TCNJ, Wm Patterson, Montclair? I honestly cannot think of a place you could be in NJ that wouldn’t be within commutable distance of a state school.
Are you eligible for NJ Stars and NJ Stars II?
Having helped a student get a Dependency Override, I can tell you it is incredibly difficult to do. You have to have documented proof of abuse, etc. This isn’t just a “my parents are being mean” kind of deal. I’m not trying to be demeaning, honest, I’m not, but it really is a big deal to not have your parents’ income count.
@LaurenFlutist Have you considered Long Island University? I know an out of state transfer student who applied to the Post campus who received a full tuition scholarship with lower ACT than yours. I believe they have rolling admission, so it’s not too late. Good Luck!