<p>I live in a single parent household and that parent makes less than 10,000 per year. Then I have a twin sister who will go to college the same year as I. We both are in the top 5% of our class and we both participate in many extracurricular activities. Does this status entitle us to the maximum amount of financial aid. And if so, would financial aid for use include a majority of loans.</p>
<p>It is very difficult getting the kind of enormous amounts of need-based scholarship aid that you would require. Most of the colleges that are that generous are some of the most difficult colleges to gain admission to: Harvard and Princeton are possibly the best examples. </p>
<p>They do not take need into account when making admissions decisions (many colleges are less likely to admit qualified students with large financial need). They also give very needy students like you scholarship packages that do not include loans.</p>
<p>More than likely, your best bet for excellent financial aid would be public universities in your state that guarantee merit aid to students with excellent stats (and those stats may include high SAT/ACT scores, so study for those tests). </p>
<p>If any colleges are in your hometown or within commuting distance, start by looking at their financial aid web pages. They even may have special scholarships for students in your area. Many colleges do this for students in their cities.</p>
<p>It also may be a good idea to start at community college, which may give you free tuition due to your high grades. Make sure you take a courseload that will allow you to transfer to a 4-year college. Many public institutions have agreements with their state's community colleges that make it easy for CC graduates to go to the 4-year college after getting their AA degrees. The 4-year colleges may even have generous merit aid for such students with high grades.</p>
<p>Also talk to your guidance counselor and get that person's advice. And check for local scholarships that you might qualify for. Often you can get such info by regularly stopping by your GC office. Normally local scholarships are far easier to get than are national scholarships.</p>
<p>In addition, take the time to review the financial aid and scholarship web pages of colleges you're considering. If you have any questions, contact their scholarship office. No reason to bother applying to colleges that aren't likely to have the aid that you require.</p>
<p>Most college students in the US end up taking out some loans. The average loan amount for a total of 4 years of college ends up being close to $20,000. Consequently, expect to take out some loans and to work parttime during the school year and full time during the summers. Just don't take out a crippling amount of loans. Taking out more than a total of about $20,000 to cover your entire college costs would probably cripple your options after college.</p>
<p>financial aid includes any combination of grants, work study as well as loans.
Most colleges expect that students will contribute from their summer earnings $3,000 to $4,000 however if those earnings are needed to provide for the family there is the possibilty of appeal.
Also remember that many colleges- will not attempt to meet 100% of need. Your best bet is to get an outside scholarship if possible ( Gates grant?) that is for very low income students, combined with federal and institutional aid.</p>
<p>Thank you for your imput. I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>Best of luck to you and your twin.
Also, your best chances of getting merit aid at colleges that offer it is to be in the top of their applicant pool. Your scores need to be in at least the top 25% usually to have a chance at merit aid. Exceptions, though, are if you are in a category that the college wants a great deal. For instance, females who plan to go into the sciences or math are highly desired by many engineering and tech schools.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, there usually is an abundance of women in the humanities, arts and social sciences, so they don't get any special tip for merit aid in those categories. </p>
<p>Also register with fastweb.com, a free scholarship -search service. Apply for anything that you might qualify for.</p>
<p>Never, ever pay for services that charge for finding scholarships for you. All of those are scams. You can do better by talking to your GC, applying to suitable colleges that are generous with aid, and using Fastweb.</p>
<p>There's helpful info here: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=52133%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=52133</a></p>
<p>Are you familiar with Kentucky's Berea College? It has a good reputation and is only for low income students. Check it out!</p>
<p>"ACADEMIC ELIGIBILITY
Admission to Berea College is academically competitive. We have a limited number of spaces in each year's entering class, and are looking for financially deserving students who have strong academic potential.
Most of our students score between 20 and 30 on the ACT (930-1350 SAT) and have a cumulative high school GPA of at least 3.0 in a strong College Prep curriculum. Students may take either the ACT or SAT. We also consider other factors such as community service, leadership qualities, and level of motivation.
We recommend, but do not require, the following high school curriculum:</p>
<ul>
<li> Four (4) units of English (including composition, rhetoric, and literature) </li>
<li> Three (3) units of Mathematics (at least Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry) </li>
<li> Two (2) units of Laboratory Science </li>
<li> Two (2) units of Social Science/History (including World History) </li>
<li> Two (2) units of foreign language </li>
</ul>
<p>Transcripts and official score reports are required for evaluation of academic qualifications.
FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY
Since Berea College provides a remarkable opportunity for students who have great academic promise but limited economic resources by awarding everyone a 4-year, tuition scholarship, the College has established a policy for determining each family's financial eligibility for admission.
For 2005-06, that policy permits a maximum annual parental contribution of $4,200as determined by Congressional Methodology, using each family's information as provided on the FAFSA. Because of this, Kentucky students are required to submit the FAFSA form by March 15th. All other students should submit FAFSA information by April 15th and no later than May 1st of the calendar year the student plans to enroll. Students may submit the Family Resources Questionnaire online to be considered for admission prior to the availability of the FAFSA. You may submit your FAFSA online at <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/...">http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/...</a>."
<a href="http://www.berea.edu/futurestudents/domestic/admissions/doiqualify.asp%5B/url%5D">http://www.berea.edu/futurestudents/domestic/admissions/doiqualify.asp</a></p>
<ul>
<li> *</li>
</ul>
<p>I'm surprised to see a recommendation to Bossgirl517 to apply to a low-income college, especially because she's in the top 5% of her class. I've seen all sorts of posts on CC suggesting that students should apply to top universities regardless of ability to pay, because of all the need and merit based aid that is out there. Could someone please clarify?</p>
<p>What's surprising about suggesting that a low-income student apply to a college that gives full tuition scholarships to students who are low income? That's a big deal and would save her and her twin lots of money.</p>
<p>The college also is well respected.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, I've checked out her other posts, and while she's in the top 5% of her class, her ACT score was a 25. That's probably not high enough for her to have a shot at the colleges that are most generous with need-based aid, which tend to be colleges like Harvard, Princeton and Amherst.</p>
<p>Her scores are good enough to get her into tier 2 colleges, but many will not be able to give her the large amount of aid that she needs. That's why I made the suggestions in my earlier posts.</p>
<p>Berea is an excellent school, highly respected and a best buy for wonderful reasons. Second NSM's suggestion.</p>
<p>Northstarmom what score would you suggest is high enough. I know that my ACT score was low but it was just my second time taking the test.. If you tell me around what range I should aim for them maybe I can achieve that with my next ACT. I would really like your imput. </p>
<p>I know that I will probably not be able to go to a school like Harvard but I already know that I have to aim lower because of my situation. Also, do you have any tips on how I can improve my ACT score. I do extremely well in Math and Reading, but I always mess up in Science and English.</p>
<p>Bossgirl,
Your score already on the ACT is about the 82nd percentile, which is excellent. After all, more than 20% of college bound seniors score lower than that. Your scores, grades and class rank mean that you could get into most of the colleges in the country except probably colleges in about the top 15. Even some of them may make an exception since you come from a low-income home and they'd assume that you didn't have the advantages that helped more affluent students boost their scores. Your high score on the ACT indicates, indeed, that you're smarter than some more affluent students who scored higher than you -- after having expensive enrichment courses (which can cost as much as $1,000!).
I suggest that you also take the SAT. Some students do better on the SAT, some on the ACT. Invest in an SAT study guide. My S found the 10 SATs to be excellent prep. You also can get some help, including taking at least one free practice test on the collegeboard.com site.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, I've never taken the ACT nor have my sons, so I can't give advice on that test. Try the SAT board here, though for advice.</p>
<p>Also look on our SAT board for Xiggi's advice on the SAT. He gives wonderful advice. </p>
<p>The only reason that I think that you can't get into the top dozen or so colleges is that your ACT is just a little low for them. I think that if you could raise it to about a 28, you'd have a chance (keeping in mind that those places are reaches for everyone!). The top colleges -- places like Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford -- are very generous with their need-based aid, and want very much to diversify by attracting more low-income students. Consequently, you'd definitely have a chance, particularly if you raise your scores. Those colleges are some of the country's most generous because they have large endowments.</p>
<p>Many top colleges are looking to boost their numbers of low income students. If you're willing to go to an all girls school, check out Smith and Mount Holyoke. Both give excellent need based aid.</p>
<p>As you're checking out colleges, also check out the SAT/ACT optional ones. Here's a link. <a href="http://www.fairtest.org/univ/optional.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.fairtest.org/univ/optional.htm</a></p>
<p>I also suggest that you post on our Parent's Forum, where there are some other nice parents who give good advice. You definitely have the stats to be going to a nice, 4-year college next fall, including with good financial aid.</p>
<p>I would second NSM's suggestion about mount holyoke. It is a SAT optional school (hopefully your being in the top 5% at your school translates to also having stellar grades). If you apply SAT optional, it means that you must submit a graded paper with comments. They school takes the common application and waives the fee should you apply on-line. They meet 100% of your demonstrated need (with your low income you would definitely be eligible for pell, they would give you a lot of scholarship aid, definitely making it affordable). They are part of the 5 college consortium which means you can also take classes at Hampshire (another SAT optional school) smith , Umass-Amherst, and Amherst. The school is defintitely worth looking into.</p>
<p>You might also want to look at bates, bowdoin, bard, ursinus, union.</p>
<p>I really don't have bad grades. At my school only honors classes are offered. I have take 3 units of English so far(honors), 3 units of math(honors), 5 units of history (4 honors, one regular), 4 units of Science (honors) and many other subjects and I have maintained a 4.0 unweighted GPA. Also, my ACT may be low but on the GEE I scored Mastery in English, Mastery in Math, Mastery in Science, and Advanced in Social Studies.</p>
<p>( I don't know if the off the GEE (Gradution Exit Examination) in all states but it is required in mine. Does this boost my ratings at some of the colleges.</p>
<p>Also, I am currently in my senior year so I also am taking another unit of math, another unit of english, another unit of science, and another unit of Social Studies.</p>
<p>Bossgirl:</p>
<p>I suggest you look up colleges where board scores are not required. Check out <a href="http://www.fairtest.org%5B/url%5D">http://www.fairtest.org</a> for a list. Then look up information about need-based scholarships. You certainly would qualify based on your mom's income and the fact that your twin will also be attending college.<br>
Do not rule out colleges where board scores are required, however. Your scores are not competitive for the most selective colleges, but they are quite decent and should not prevent you from being admitted to quite good colleges.</p>
<p>Bossgirl,
Your ACT scores are not low. They are better than 80% of college bound seniors who take the test. Your scores would meet the admission standards of most colleges in the country except for the very top colleges -- places like Harvard, MIT, Amherst.</p>
<p>Remember, though, that more than scores and grades factor into admissions decisions, so having scores meeting a school's standards doesn't guarantee admission. </p>
<p>Still, you have a lot to be proud of when it comes to your scores!</p>
<p>Just a couple of points:</p>
<p>The OP asked: "Does this status entitle us to the maximum amount of financial aid. And if so, would financial aid for use include a majority of loans."</p>
<p>The answer is not that complicated. Any family with an income of less than $15,000 gets an automatic ZERO EFC. </p>
<p>Given this, I think it is a mistake to focus on possible merit aid for the college selection. The OP would be better off to check the need bling schools that meet 100% of need, and then check the typical loan amount offered. I read the recommendation to check Mt Holyoke as it fits several criteria. However, the generosity of Mt Holyoke is tempered by its larger than average use of LOANS.</p>
<p>What is Mt Holyoke? I never heard of that place. </p>
<p>So the key to getting into a good school is not just about grades and test scores? Is it the essays that colleges really consider to be the most important? If so that will not be to diffucult because I am an excellent writer (when I actually take time to write and revise my writing). </p>
<p>Also, thank you all for the imput and support. I really appreciate it. The advice you all have given so far is really insightful. Thanks for everything!</p>
<p>I only looked quickly at this thread, so if I am writing something that has been said (or re-said) sorry.
But a key thing is for your parent to fill out the fafsa form (available at <a href="http://www.fafsa.ed.gov)%5B/url%5D">www.fafsa.ed.gov)</a>. This gives a number of what "they" think your family can afford. It is a starting point for you and them. The FAFSA is used by public universities and a similar form is used by many private schools, done through the collegeboard people. </p>
<p>Colleges that give need based aid look at the fafsa number and then probably offer you something below that (they will claim they just don't have the money). But it is a way to get the conversation going as you go along with the process. </p>
<p>I got a flyer in the mail with one of my daughter's apps that suggested visiting <a href="http://www.fastweb.com%5B/url%5D">www.fastweb.com</a> for a "free scholarship search." The flyer stresses DO NOT PAY for services you can get for free. </p>
<p>A rule of thumb when trying to "negotiate" a better aid package is that a school that is one notch "below" you will offer you a better package.</p>