I have very good grades, pretty good SATs, and average ECs(sport, a few clubs with some leadership). I know Ivies have th best financial aid but I have no chance. Are there are other colleges that are known to give good financial aid?
Yes the highly selective schools known as the Little Ivies have average net costs of about 20k and less for students needing financial aid. There are others of course like those schools but they have that Ivy League feel and pedigree. In many ways they are better schools for undergraduates than the Ivies. Middlebury, Bowdoin, Bates, Colby, Williams and Amherst are known for good aid. Don’t assume they are easier to get into because they are not. Also, financial aid is not as objective as many think. If they really want you the number will be better than the calculator. You will maximize your chance of aid by applying Early Decision. For good merit money Gettysburg, Dickinson, Muhlenberg and St. Lawrence are very good.
You didn’t mention your grades or SATs though.
Look at wikipedia for colleges that meet need. That will usually only help for families with low income. If you are “typical” middle class with bills to pay then you may want to look at colleges offering merit aid instead. Look at the pinned threads in the Financial Aid forum.
Dadstressed
SATs- 2200
Grades- 95-96 unweigthted average almost 100 weighted
Are there some less selective schools with 100% need? I don’t have the ECs or awards for those top schools.
Erin’s dad
Not sure what’s typical middle class, but I’m guessing it’s about 70-80k for a family? My parents salary is about 40k. It’s not poverty level but I’m fairly sure that should get some aid atleast.
Students can borrow about $5500/year. Lower income students can get up to ~$5k/year Pell grant, so that gives you about $10k to work with if you qualify for full Pell. Start by looking for in state safeties (a school you can get into with your stats, that you can afford, and that you’d be happy to attend). Then look for schools that give good aid for your stats (most base grants on CR + M SAT scores and GPA). Search the Financial Aid forum for schools with guaranteed merit. I think there’s a thread pinned to the top that lists some of them.
You have excellent grades and excellent SAT scores and at that income level I am quite confident you will attend a top school with very little out of pocket and with a very small to zero student loans.
You need a strategy. Where are you from? Race? Gender? How would you describe yourself socially? Do you like sports?
You do realize your Sat scores are in the 98th percentile.
There are no less selective schools that meet need. Since they meet need they get applicants from everywhere. Your stats make you a competitive applicant, but certainly look in the FA forum for some merit aid options.
erin’s dad,
Respectfully, you have no idea what you are talking about. A student with grades and SATs like that and that income level will get very good financial support. The student still has to pick schools where that profile is maximized.
If you’re interested in a large southern school, Alabama gives guaranteed merit. What is your CR + M score? If it’s 1400+ you will get full tuition there. Lower scores also give tuition discounts. You would still need to come up with room and board and that’s not insignificant, but Pell + loans could get you close.
DS has similar SAT stats to you (but higher GPA) and we have similar income as you do, and he is focusing on our state schools, two Ivies, and UVA. UVA is supposed to meet full need but that may include more loans that he wants, we’ll see. It is also hard to get into if you’re OOS. 'Bama was too far away for our son’s tastes.
Did you enter the NMS competition? If your PSAT is close to your SAT you should be at least Commended, and a Semi-Finalist in many states. That can offer some opportunities.
DD’14 also applied to Middlebury, which was on dadstressed’s list. She received an affordable FA package (with loans) but ended up going elsewhere. It’s a small liberal arts school in a small town and very well thought of.
Do you have a clear idea of what you want to pursue? If you are passionate about a field and your ECs and volunteer work show it, you might have a shot at Cornell if your field matches one of their specialty schools like Hotel or Human Ecology. Their financial aid is great for our income level, no loans!!
I personally don’t know if ED increases your aid. It does, however, lock you into a commitment before you know what aid they’re giving you so most wouldn’t advise ED if you need aid. EA is an option in some places, though, and that might be an appropriate route.
I disagree. I see a LOT of posts from low income, high stats kids who either didn’t get into the school they were counting on or didn’t get the aid they needed. Yes, there are schools that offer guaranteed aid for admitted students with certain CR + M SAT scores and GPA, but the students have to be admitted to get it. The number of seats is limited and competition is tough. Always, always have a financial safety and don’t assume high stats + low income = “little out-of-pocket” and “very small or no” loans.
Agreed. Our income and the kids’ stats are almost identical to the OP’s, and we were careful to have a financial safety (our state school, in commuting distance). The FA offers varied from “you can do this if you are willing to max out your student loans and your parents can borrow against their home equity” to “no loans + $3000/year.” We did have good options in the end, but the good aid had to be hunted down and it wasn’t easy. It’s out there, but definitely not guaranteed and you can’t get too attached to any dream school, because it might not work out.
I am sorry Austin. I just helped my son’s friend with getting into Holy Cross. Family income $55k. He is going there for about 5k a year net. He received similar offers from a few others. This student will be fine if he or she applies to right places.
@dadstressed Top schools will have MANY applicants with better SATs, similar GPA and outstanding ECs. OP should not count on a near full ride especially with an 80k income.
@Hsstudent938 OP looks here for merit options. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html#latest
The student stated income was $40k.
^O’k 40k but there are plenty of kids on here with similar stats that are not getting in or getting near fill rides. I think OP will have to be very careful with merit selection. The kid you helped was lucky. It isn’t a cakewalk for all of them.
I never said it was a cakewalk but a student with these qualifications will be well received so long as the application strategy is sound. If the student is not flexible in terms of something like geography or weather or school size then all bets are off.
By the way, Early Decision is not binding if the financial aid is too small. If you do the financial aid application when you apply the package amount comes with the acceptance. You can do the calculator and discuss the result with admissions before you apply for peace of mind.
Mdcmom, saying Middlebury is just “very well thought of” is a bit crazy. That is a top top school and this student is almost in the top 25% there.
OP should qualify for Questbridge: www.questbridge.org
The Questbridge College Prep Scholarship application is open now and the deadline is March 25.
@gearmom the student made things confusing by quoting what he though was average income but he said his own is 40k. He didn’t say how many family members.
@Hsstudent938 are you a Jr? Here is a list of schools that ‘meet 100% of need’ There are something like 60. And there are more than will give good offers. Look at that list of automatic scholarships because you will be guaranteed a safety school. And what state are you in?
http://www.thecollegesolution.com/list-of-colleges-that-meet-100-of-financial-need/
Also did you calculate if you are Pell Grant eligible? Do you know if your parents have funds for college and how much you can expect for each year?