Help! Scared to pay for college! (OP is up-coming HS senior)

Me and my family moved here to the states 2 years ago and when they saw the price tag for college here in the states, they’re jaw dropped way past hell. I’m really scared and at the same that got me thinking. How does a student with parents that earn less than $5,000/month (I have siblings but I don’t take them into account bc they might move out) and expect no contribution from parents be able to live a life in college. I know this might get off topic but I’m getting there! Also, I don’t get the financial aid system works. Here’s what I know about financial aid; it’s basically free money from the government based on calculations and your EFC. It’s yearly (I think). That’s about it. I heard that universities also give you money. My questions is, how do students pay for college knowing that your parents can’t support you. Do these students even exist? Do you work from freshman year to senior year (of college) Do universities help you pay for college too? I heard that stanford offers full rides to low income students but I’m not betting everything on solely getting into stanford. Isn’t there also merit-aid.

Are you a US citizen, or PR?

I know a student who got a merit scholarship from a college for very good grades and test scores, the remaining costs are covered by grants and summer work, and some money from parents.

Another student might have to take the student loan and work part time and go to a local school and commute from home.

Here is what you need to know about financial aid.

  1. There is SOME need based money given to citizens and green card holders (permanent residents). SOME! Are you a citizen or green card holder?
  2. Your family earns $60,000 a year. Is that before or after taxes?
  3. $60,000 a year income and a family of three (your two parents and you) might qualify you for a teeny bit of the federally funded Pell Grant IF you are a citizen. That income would NOT qualify you for the full amount. You might get $1000. Maybe.
  4. If you are a citizen or permanent resident, you would also be able to take a $5500 Direct Loan, in your name only.
  5. The BEST need based aid comes directly from the colleges...not the federal government. Let's say you qualify for $1000 Pell, and take the $5500 Direct Loan. That would be $6500...which could fund a community college IF you commute from your home.

This money would NOT fully pay for a residential college where you lived in the dorm.

Before I go on and on…please reply…are you a green card holder?

If so…what state do you reside in?

What are your ACT or SAT scores, and your GPA?

Have your parents indicated whether they can help you at all with college costs?

Have you looked at lower cost public universities within your state (if you are a green card holder or citizen?).

Really…the how to pay question can’t be answered until these other questions are answered.

The simple truth is that nation-wide, more students live at home and commute than go away to college. Many of those are working full time and studying part time. If you find that is the only way for you to get an education, you certainly will not be alone.

To get some idea, try the NPC of any school you may apply. Most schools do not meet your need. For those that meet your need, it is likely to be very competitive for obvious reason. If you are not qualified for merit scholarships, then you will have to choose schools that have lower CoA (cost of attendance) that it can be covered by your family and your financial aids (loan, grant, workstudy). If you are US citizen or PR, what is your PSAT score?

Yes I am a green card holder and I live in CA. My GPA score is 3.55 (I think it’s weighted) and I guess my SAT score would be 1200. My parents said that they won’t make any promises to pay for my college and if I go to university they wouldn’t be able to pay for it. I’m thinking of going to San Jose State (CSU) but I’m afraid the quality of education there is lower than the UCs. Tuition there is 20,000/year I think.

@thumper1

Someone else will have to chime in on whether you have lived in the state long enough to qualify for,the Calgrant.

Can you commute to SJSU?

“I’m thinking of going to San Jose State…”

San Jose State does not have the reputation of UC Berkeley and UCLA, nor even the reputation of UC Irvine, Davis, etc… However, San Jose State is quite a good university if you can get in (which seems likely) and if you can afford it (which might be uncertain). If you live close enough to San Jose State to go there and live at home, then it is a good university for you to consider. I would certainly go there in preference to starting at a community college, for example.

I am not sure whether you would get some help from San Jose State for tuition, but it is possible that you might and it would be worth applying. Please note that you will need to apply for financial aid in addition to applying for admission.

@thumper1 i can commute to SJSU. I’ve lived here for 2 years. @DadTwoGirls I am thinking of doing community college since it saves money + stress. Does it even matter which school apply to? I’m thinking of taking microbiology (if that degree even exists) So do I not have any chances at UC Berkeley? GIVE IT TO ME STRAIGHT! =D

No you don’t. But you might have a shot at a UC via CC Transfer Admission Agreement route and save money in the process.

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/transfer/guarantee/

Davis, Riverside, Irvine, Merced, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz

SJSU is a very good school for many majors and if you can commute, then you would only to pay for tuition/books/gas/parking fees to attend. If you are a green card holder, you would be eligible for financial aid. Run the Net price calculator to see your estimate of costs.

http://www.csumentor.edu/FinAid/PAIS/PAIS.asp

Your current stats will not get you into UCB but if you do the CC route and transfer, it is possible.

GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students

High School GPA: 4.12 - 4.30
ACT Composite Score: 30 - 34
SAT Critical Reading: 630 - 750
SAT Mathematics: 660-780

Freshman admit rates for UC GPA of 3.40-3.79:

UCB: 2%
UCLA: 3%
UCSD: 6%
UCD: 15%
UCSB: 14%
UCI: 13%
UCSC: 59%
UCR: 78%
UCM: 92%

Much will also depend upon your intended major. Many majors are very competitive and you need above average stats for the best chances.

Here is a link by UC campus/major and transfer GPA to give you an idea of how high you need to aim for being a successful transfer.

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major

SJSU admits by Eligibility index and major.

Eligibility index= (CSU GPA x800) + (SAT Math + CR)= (3.55x800) + (1200)= 4040

If you check the link, the EI threshold for Microbiology at SJSU is 3200, so you are well within the EI threshold for an acceptance.

http://www.sjsu.edu/admissions/impaction/impactionresultsfreshmen/index.html

“GPA score is 3.55 (I think it’s weighted) and I guess my SAT score would be 1200”
“So do I not have any chances at UC Berkeley”

Your high school guidance counselor in California would have a better idea than I.

You should compute your UC GPA, and see how your SAT goes. However, if UC GPA is 3.55 and SAT is 1200, then I seriously doubt it. You should also run the NPC and see whether you would be able to afford it.

I am assuming that you have been a permanent resident in California long enough to be considered in-state. However, you probably should double-check this also.

@DadTwoGirls how do computer your UC GPA?

UC GPA calculator: https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

UC GPA capped weighted= Cal state GPA also
UC GPA Fully weighted is used by UCB and UCLA along with the capped weighted UC GPA.

“how do compute your UC GPA?”

You will need to get this either by asking folks from California to comment, or from your high school guidance counselor, or from a UC website.

There are UC GPA calculators available on the internet.

UC/CSU GPA Calculator
https://rogerhub.com/gpa-calculator-uc/

As far as how you afford it if you aren’t offered aid, you go to a CC near your family home for 2 years. That will cost less than $2500 total. Then you transfer to your local CSU where tuition costs about $3500 a semester. So, the total cost will be something like about $16,500 - around which you can earn working less than 10 hours a week while you are in school, a very manageable amount… If you have to pay rent and OOS tuition, it is a very different formula…

Depending on your qualifications a private school like USD, Loyola Marymount might offer you a nearly free ride.