<p>My point is this: Yes we make a decent income and at the same time not much is left</p>
<p>If you think those who make half as much( which would be most Americans) have it easier, you are welcome to give half away.
;)</p>
<p>$53,046 is the median household income in the US. [USA</a> QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau](<a href=“http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html]USA”>http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html)</p>
<p>Those who earn $150K or more are making 3x that. The OP who has a household income of $250K is 5x that. Folks are somehow managing on household incomes of $53,046, as well as more and less than that amount, in high as well as low cost areas throughout the US. They have bills as well and may have fewer options as they have fewer resources and have to make tough choices about which bills to pay and when.</p>
<p>The issue really isn’t the OPs parents’ income. Everything is relative - incomes in DC are much higher than average, and so is housing. Housing in Texas is much less expensive, and incomes are lower. We made a move out of California, and had the opportunity to take a job in the DC area or in Florida. The DC job offered $40K more a year than the Florida job but it was not worth it given the housing, the state income taxes, the long commutes. We were trying to leave that lifestyle in California - if we had wanted to keep it, we would have stayed in the Bay Area rather than live in DC. Anyway, one person’s $250K is another person’s $50K. So what. It is not relevant. And certainly not an issue of fairness.</p>
<p>The real issue is that the OP managed to achieve a level of mediocrity (sorry to say) that won’t open doors to a lot of merit aid, and did this despite all of the advantages of the parents having jobs with a household income of $250K, living in a safe community with excellent public schools, and living in the one part of the country where housing prices are still going up (so there is a lot of equity to be had by many of these folks.)</p>
<p>Now, it is time for college, and the academic record does not stand out, and so going to a top tier school (if one can get an admission offer) is going to cost some serious out of pocket money. One does not have to earn anywhere near $250K to be disqualified for need-based aid. People earning $60K are probably in the same boat, with their kids only qualifying for one unsubsidized $5500 federal loan for the freshman year. If their kids have not achieved, and cannot earn merit aid, then those parents face the choice of taking out more loans - or telling their kids the truth: that the top tier school is not an option. Period. End of story.</p>
<p>lol ^</p>
<p>It also doesn’t make any sense to cite current prices of DC suburb houses since OP is around the age of 16-18. I didn’t read the thread, but house prices were nowhere near the level they are today since house prices rise faster than median wage rates. </p>
<p>Anyways to answer the question, if you actually have good test scores, apply somewhere where they give you merit aid then fill out the rest with scholarships/loans/jobs.</p>
<p>My friend is in kind of a similar situation, where his dad makes ~150k and that’s pretty much what he has to do.</p>
<p>If the OP is still reading this…</p>
<p>Do you know how much your parents have saved for college? I know many parents who were faithful savers for college, but 18 years ago, they could never have projected that costs would be this high, and therefore only have about half or less of the costs sold. </p>
<p>Also, do you have any siblings? if so, is some of the savings for that child(ren), too?</p>
<p>Either way, if your parents are saying that they’ll pay the $60k per year for Duke or wherever then fine, let them. You’re not going to qualify for ANY aid from Duke.</p>
<p>Socoengineer -</p>
<p>We live across the river from you in MD, so I know exactly the kinds of jobs, neighborhoods, and schools you are writing about. This is a very over-priced region.</p>
<p>I understand your desire to head off to a dream school next fall. But you also do seem to have good sense, and to recognize that your dream institutions may prove to be significantly less affordable than some other options. Sit down with your parents. Have a money talk with them. Tell them your concerns about burning up your entire college fund on a pricey education. Find how much money there is, and what kind of account that money is in. For example, if it is in a 529, it would be very difficult to use it for something other than educational expenses. Yes, it could be saved for grad school, or shared with another relative, but it basically needs to be spent on education.</p>
<p>Talk with your parents about what it is that you think you like so much about Fill-in-name-here. If you have visited the campus, maybe you like the way it looks. Maybe you like the mascot. Maybe you like the way your HS pals talk about it. Maybe for your major it truly is the best place. Then talk about other colleges/universities that could offer you at least some of what you think you would get at Fill-in-name-here. For example, if you are serious about engineering, how hard would it be to like VA Tech?</p>
<p>Don’t neglect to consider your own local options. All those HS pals who are talking about X, Y, and Z for next year? A whole bunch of them will end up at NOVA - either this fall or next January. Why? Money. Grades. Change of major. Bad match with X, Y, or Z. Guaranteed transfer program after completing the AA or AS at NOVA. You name it. If you truly want to save your parents some money, starting at NOVA then transferring within the VA system would be a good way to go.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>
<p>Some of the posts on this thread remind me of the Monty Python “Four Yorkshiremen” skit.</p>
<p>Best of luck to the OP. Our income is lower but we have accumulated assets over the years such that we won’t qualify for aid. I know our D is well aware of the high cost of four years’ tuition. To me it’s a sign of a good upbringing that the OP doesn’t just take it for granted or feel entitled like some kids do. OP and her parents need to keep communicating openly and honestly. We are considering merit options, but if D ends up going somewhere that’s full pay, it will be a joint decision with our blessing. The last thing I want is for her to go feeling burdened by guilt. It sounds to me like OP needs some reassurance from her parents.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Without the unweighted GPA and the SAT CR+M or ACT score, it is hard to tell. But there are some large (full tuition or higher) merit scholarships that are possibilities:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-20.html#post16451378[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-20.html#post16451378</a></p>
<p>Alabama (engineering): 3.5 HS GPA, 30 ACT (may consider weighted GPA printed on HS transcript; non-engineering needs 32 ACT)
Alabama - Huntsville: 3.5 HS GPA, 30 ACT
Alabama - Birmingham: 3.5 HS GPA, 30 ACT
Howard: 3.0 HS GPA, 26 ACT (full ride at 3.5 HS GPA and 32 ACT; first come first served until money runs out)
Florida A&M: 3.5 HS GPA, 27 ACT
Louisiana Tech: 3.0 HS GPA, 32 ACT (full ride)
Prairie View A&M: 3.25 HS GPA, 24 ACT (full ride at 3.5 HS GPA and 26 ACT)</p>
<p>Note:</p>
<p>32 ACT = 1400 SAT CR+M
30 ACT = 1330 SAT CR+M
27 ACT = 1800 SAT CR+M+W (Florida A&M)
26 ACT = 1170 SAT CR+M (Howard) or 1760 SAT CR+M+W (Prairie View A&M)
24 ACT = 1650 SAT CR+M+W (Prairie View A&M)</p>
<p>@happymomof1 thank you so much for your input. I’m applying to VA Tech but, if I’m being honest with myself, I really do not want to go there. It is a fantastic school its just that the location/ weather really does not suit me. There is also a lack of diversity. I hear its around 4% African American and me being a black female I don’t think I’d be comfortable with that percentage. I also know a lot of ppl who go there and many people from my high school attend there and I really want to be somewhere where I can start fresh. The only in-state school I would definitely consider is UVA and I think I have a good chance at getting accepted.</p>
<p>If you get into UVA as an instate resident, it may well be a very affordable option for you. Hope you have a few other affordable options which you have applied to.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids I’m not sure how much my parents have save but I’m sure they never could’ve anticipated the high costs of college now. My parents can afford to pay the 60K for Duke but I really dont want to put that financial burden on them just to graduate from a prestigious school. It just seems ridiculous to me.</p>
<p>@HImom so far Ive gotten a 40k scholarship from Clemson which has now become an affordable option. Its just not what you typically think of as an engineering school but I’m definitely considering it.</p>
<p>???</p>
<p>Clemson IS AN ENGINEERING school. :)</p>
<p>socoengineer-would you consider North Carolina A&T? I believe that more African-American engineers graduate from their program than any other university. I helped a young African-American woman from our local high school with her college applications. She was #2 in the class and was accepted to Brown, Dartmouth and Carnegie Mellon, among other places, for engineering. But she applied for the Lewis Dowdy scholarship at NCA&T and was one of 40 winners. She received a “full ride” and all kinds of other perks, including mentors who are well-established as engineers in major corporations. The scholarship includes summer employment, among other things. I know 2 young women who also graduated from there. They are both successful engineers. I know that it might not be the most “prestigious” place, but A&T seems to have something good happening for prospective engineers.</p>
<p>Lewis Dowdy scholarship applications are due on 1/15.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Percentage black students at schools in #48 (from [CollegeData:</a> College Search, Financial Aid, College Application, College Scholarship, Student Loan, FAFSA Info, Common Application](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com%5DCollegeData:”>http://www.collegedata.com) ):</p>
<p>Alabama: 12.1%
Alabama - Birmingham: 27.0%
Alabama - Huntsville: 14.7%
Howard: not listed
Florida A&M: 95.1%
Louisiana Tech: 13.4%
Prairie View A&M: 85.2%</p>
<p>For comparison:</p>
<p>Clemson: 6.5%
North Carolina A&T: 87.2%
George Mason: 9.4%
Old Dominion: 25.2%
University of Virginia: 6.8%
Virginia Tech: 3.6%</p>
<p>@Collegetiger i never said my parents couldnt afford it, they definitely can, it would just put a dent in my finances. And we do have other medical expenses because my mom is sick but I dont really want to get into it. And the way the american dream works you typically dont downsize until around retirement age. Yes there are 450K houses but with my parents both into their 50s they wanted to buy a bigger house than what we had in ohio, therefore they bought a house that costs more. </p>
<p>We all drive Hondas btw :)</p>
<p>@mom2colleges I guess I meant like a technology school like Georgia Tech, MIT etc… Clemson is typically known for their outstanding nursing or education programs</p>
<p>@momof3sons hmmm, Ive never really looked into that school. i’ll be sure to do some research. And I know that you dont have to go to a “prestigious” school to be successfull. I’m glad to hear about that girl tho!</p>
<p>Looks like you have options, though. Clemson out-of-state after a $40,000 per year scholarship is only about $4,000 per year (if the $40,000 is over four years at $10,000 per year, the amount would be about $34,000 per year, though).</p>
<p>But also look at the colleges listed in post #48 for other low cost options with civil engineering.</p>
<p>Read the fine print on merit scholarship offers, though, particularly the college GPA required to renew them. A 3.0 college GPA to keep the scholarship is probably not a big risk for a student who can get the really big ones, but a 3.5 college GPA to keep the scholarship is significantly riskier.</p>
<p>Lots of good engineering programs can be found at schools that are not mainly “tech” schools. For example, most state flagship level universities have good engineering programs, as do many other state and private universities.</p>