I have a 32 ACT, 3.9 unweighted GPA but my family’s income is less than $30,000.
What public schools would be optimal for me?
Most OOS publics don’t subsidise OOS kids. Look at the auto tuition thread. 32/3.9 is nice but don’t expect any pots of gold outside of the auto schools, even those, double check any changes on their test score changes for next year. Like as not you need to look close to home. Others might chime in on more generous privates as you have financial need, but again, the more generous schools will come with higher entrance stats.
Check out UMich. They just announced a couple days ago to meet the need of OOS students with family income below $90k. Nevertheless, 32/3.9 is marginal for admission from OOS there. Not impossible, but you need a higher score for better chance.
University of Virginia and UNC-CH also meet full need for OOS students BUT getting accepted is extremely competitive for OOS students.
I have to ask…why OOS?
Does your state offer any aid for low income students?
Thumper1:
I forgot to mention I am from Nevada and while UNR and UNLV are decent schools I think I have better options OOS.
You don’t have better options OOS if you can’t afford to pay the bills.
Will you be retaking the ACT? Did you take the SAT?
I did not take the SAT and I retook it just a week ago.
Do you particularly know how the financial aide for UW and UCLA are?
UCLA gives NO need based aid…not a dime…to out of state students.
UW?..do you mean University of Washington? I wouldn’t count on getting a lot of need based aid from them either.
Yes Washington.
Do those schools not have merit scholarships for OOS students I could attempt to get?
Google is your friend.
I understand Google is my friend and I’ve used it but I’d like insight from people to see if I’m missing anything or if there’s any other possible good opportunities. Thanks for the useless comment though
TCNJ wants more OOS students and will give merit for them.
Rowan gives good merit.
U NM has the Amigo scholarship.
U Maine has the flagship match program.
It may be a good idea to add some private colleges which meet 100% of need to your list. The University of Richmond in VA and Franklin and Marshall in PA may be worth a look, and there are other LACs where your stats are solid. Check out the CTCL colleges, too, CTCL.org , many offer merit aid and meet need for higher stats students.
Be sure to demonstrate interest. If you cannot visit colleges in person, contact admission reps, ask questions, request info, etc.
If your family income is really below $30,000 a year…you likely will qualify for a full Pell Grant of $5800. In addition, you can take the $5500 Direct Loan for your freshman year. That’s $11,300 to start.
On an income of less than $30,000 a year, your parents probably can’t give you much financial,assistance. But you are not the only student in this situation.
If your ACT comes up a bit, you will be better positioned for schools that offer to meet full need for all students.
OR if you can get a full tuition merit scholarship…you could use the Pell and Direct Loans to pay room/board costs.
@WayOutWestMom would this student qualify for the Amigo Scholarship?
@mom2collegekids what sorts of scholarships might this student receive at any of the UA campuses?
@twoinanddone what other colleges in the area do you know of that have modest costs for OOS students…and maybe would be affordable for this student.
@CourtneyThurston any scholarship suggestions?
To anyone…is Questbridge an option?
Is the Pack Advantage program at UN Reno still happening?
I believe it’s already been mentioned but you should also strongly consider private colleges that meet full need.
Someone already posted about University of Richmond. They have an endowment of 2.5 billion dollars and about 3,000 undergraduates. That is a huge endowment for a school of that size.
There are many other colleges like Vanderbilt, USC, Davidson, Haverford, all the Ivy League schools, etc., that pledge to meet full need. Some are stingy like Wake Forest. You would need to apply to multiple schools to weigh the best FA offers.
You should certainly look at all the possibilities, but don’t reject your instate options entirely. You don’t want to be in the sad position of having no affordable schools when May rolls around.
High achieving, low income students in Nevada actually have most costs covered if they can commute to UNR or UNLV.
An example using UNLV figures:
COA for a commuter - $16,220
Maximum Pell (federal grant) - $5,800
Provost’s Scholarship (institutional merit) - $3,300
Millennium Scholarship (state merit) - $2,500
Total - $11,600
$16,220 - $11,600 = $4,620 remaining
If your parents will allow you to live at home rent free, and will continue to feed you, you can knock off $3,000 of the COA listed above.
$4,620 - $3,000 = $1,620 remaining
This amount would easily be covered by a part time job.
If your parents need you to contribute towards household expenses, you have the option of taking a student loan if your earnings from work are not quite enough.
Make sure to apply for admission and financial aid before the priority deadline to maximize your chances of receiving merit money beyond the awards listed above.
“I forgot to mention I am from Nevada and while UNR and UNLV are decent schools I think I have better options OOS.”
Are either of these close enough to your home that you could live at home and commute? If so, then this could save significantly on room and board expenses.
Are you planning on applying to your in-state options, but also wanting to apply to other schools out of state?
Max Pell for 2017-18 will be $5920, but the COA listed may also go up because of a tuition increase.
A student who gets max Pell will usually get an SEOG too, if FAFSA is filed early.