I’m applying to mainly large state schools (UNC Chapel Hill, UVA, etc.) and Ivy League schools, with a few safeties. However, my parents just filed the FAFSA and our expected contribution is huge, so my parents want me to apply to a few more private schools that will give both financial and merit aid.
If anyone has any suggestions of schools or knows anything about how competitive merit aid is at the schools below, please let me know. For reference, I have a 1550 SAT, a 4.5 GPA weighted, a 4.0 GPA unweighted, and very strong extracurriculars and essays.
Lehigh University
American University
Tulane University
Case Western Reserve University
Boston College
Northwestern University
Our EFC was also high so my S17 applied to a range of schools to compare aid. My S17 (similar stats, NMF, meaningful activities, strong essays, etc.) got full tuition merit from Lehigh for up to 5 years (IBE program) and from Miami University of Ohio for 4 years. Northwestern awarded about $25k in need aid. Case Western, USC, and Northeastern awarded half tuition merit for four years. From public colleges with more prestigious ranked engineering schools, he was awarded merit aid ranging from $0 to about $13k. Beside Northwestern, S17 did not get any need aid from other schools. My S17 major is EE. We tried to see if CW, USC and NEU would considered additional aid, but they were firm that they would not. NEU was also very evasive about not guaranteeing that he would get the full $30k for NMF. We did allow our son to choose his school at the end and he chose Lehigh for fit and financial diligence. He is very happy at Lehigh socially and academically. We are all so very grateful for the merit award.
Your parents need to be aware that at many schools, merit and need based aid don’t “stack”. If you get merit aid, you may get less need based aid, so your cost of attendance doesn’t change.
Also, FAFSA EFC isn’t what colleges go by. You should run the net price calculator on each school’s website. Often your school specific EFC will be even higher than the FAFSA number.
Can you give more details? How much can your parents pay? What is your expected major?
Yes, yes, yes, most of those schools are Profile schools, and Profile EFC’s generally come out higher (often by a LOT) than FAFSA EFCs. You must, must, must run those net price calculators!
What is your budget? Do you know your major? Why the focus on private schools? Public universities publish charts of guaranteed merit aid, while with privates you don’t really know for sure until you get that offer letter. Out of state publics that do not give merit are as pricey as private schools, so make sure you can afford those, too. Which state are you in? Can you afford your in-state public flagship?
Remember that a safety isn’t a safety unless you can both get in and afford to go.
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so my parents want me to apply to a few more private schools that will give both financial and merit aid.
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Your parents are probably misunderstanding how merit and FA (need based) works.
They may be thinking that a $70k school might give you say $25k in need-based aid…and then give you $25k of merit scholarships, and then they’d only have to pay $20k…instead of the $50k their EFC says.
Wrong. And too many find this out when it’s too late and then they don’t have affordable schools.
What is your EFC? And do your schools also use CSS Profile to figure aid?
How much do your parents want the net cost to be?
What were some of the schools on your list that are now too expensive.
@intparent My parents can pay, maximum, $30,000 a year. However, our EFC was around $50,000. My parents did a net price calculator for Yale and Duke (both reaches), and the tuition was around $40,000, which is doable with loans, but not great. That’s why we’re looking at private colleges that may be able to subsidize some of the additional $10,000 with merit aid.
If the school has it, I’m majoring in European Studies or International Studies. If not, I’m applying as a History major.
The tuition doesn’t also include room & board, so keep that in mind. What people are trying to say is that you won’t have an “additional $10,000” to cover with merit aid. If you get merit, a pricey school will usually give you $10,000 less in need based aid, and you will still have to pay the same EFC that the net price calculator shows.
Let’s say your number is $35,000, including you taking your federal loans. I’d drop Boston College and Northwestern – they aren’t going to be affordable. American doesn’t usually give very good need based aid (they don’t “meet need”), haven’t heard much out here about merit (but others could correct me if I’m wrong).
You might be able to get down to $35K at Lawrence in Wisconsin. They are a little cheaper to start with, and give good merit aid (if they think you are really interested).
@AroundHere
My parents can afford $30,000 a year, no loans. My parents’ EFC is $50,000 though, and when they did specific tuition calculators for public schools, we received absolutely no need-based aid, and most of the public schools that I’m looking at do not offer merit aid. However, when they calculated tuition for Yale and Duke (both reaches, for anyone), tuition was about $40,000, which is doable if subsidized with merit aid.
I’m applying as a European Studies, International Studies, or History major, and I live in NJ. I hate the state schools here, but I am applying to Rutgers and will most likely have a full ride and admittance to the honors program. However, I really, really hate the school and know I wouldn’t be happy there. I have some other safeties that are cheap like U of Miami Ohio and McGill in Canada, but ultimately I don’t have a lot of options financially.
@mom2collegekids Our EFC is $50,000 and my parents, maximum, can pay $30,000 a year. Some of my schools use the CSS profile, but not all of them.
Some schools that are now a little too expensive: Lehigh, Duke, Vanderbilt, Harvard, Brown, UNC, and UVA. I know that I may have to take out loans, but I just want options, both academically and financially, come next spring.
I applying as a European Studies or International Studies major if the college has it, History if not. I’ll probably go to grad school after that, and either work for the State Department or as a consultant.
You personally can only take out $5,500 in loans freshman year, and slightly more the years after that. It is a good idea to stick to your federal loan limits and not have your parents take out more loans on top of that. Also, grad school (if you are getting a masters or something like a law degree) costs money, and you don’t want to be in a lot of debt going into that.
I think you need to rethink your list in a big way. What about schools like Alabama? They may give some guaranteed merit for your stats.
Lawrence (post 12) is a suggestion, and look at the other ctcl.org schools.
There are less popular state universities that do give merit. Alabama of course, but you can try other schools in the south and southwest (skip UTexas). I’m not sure which are good for history, so you’ll need to do a little research. Just check out the history department webpages and if it looks good, look on the admissions page for scholarships for out of state freshmen.
McGill is a rigorous, well-regarded school. Don’t knock it for being cheap! Especially if you speak a little French or want to learn so you can explore the whole city.
I agree with the warning that expecting 10K in merit aid on top of your NPC price is very optimistic and unlikely to happen at most schools. Many schools will give you the larger of your merit award and your need-based award but not both.
Schools that meet full need will be too expensive for your family due to your high EFC. Don’t count on merit to UNC as an OOS student unless you have an outrageous accomplishment, and even then it’s difficult. UVA does not give merit unless you are a Jefferson Scholar ( as mentioned), and that money comes from a separate program and not directly from the school. You need to be nominated and then make it through the interviews.
Case- you can get merit, but how much? I don’t know. Its not guaranteed.
Tulane- If you show interest you can get merit, but again… how much? It’s not guaranteed.
Ohio State- apply here and watch the deadline- again, not guaranteed
Lehigh- merit is crazy competitive. You need to show a lot of interest and show how it’s the right school for you. Even then… merit is competitive and limited. Being from NJ makes it that mich more competitive.
You can get merit at the U of Miami- possibly significant merit… depending. My friends son recently got a tremendous merit award. Also look at the U of South Carolina. Not sure about the deadlines. What about Lafayette?