How to get a Full Ride? (Virginia Universities + Colleges)

Hello! I am currently a junior and I’m still trying to learn about colleges / universities. For a fact, I understand that they are extremely expensive and I was wondering ways on how people got full rides. I highly doubt I’ll get one, but how do people get them? GPA? SAT/ACT? Extra-curricular? Etc…?
I high big hopes for my future and I want to be close to debt free if possible (At-least for undergrad). I don’t want my parents paying for a lot because they don’t make that much and I don’t want them to waste all their money on me.
Also I live in Virginia and some of my top colleges are UVA, Mary and William, and Virginia Tech. How would you get a full ride to those schools? Also what about VCU since it is not as expensive as the other colleges?

@BrownG1rl

You wrote this in November…has something changed?

You also mention that you are aiming for 1350 or so on your SAT. For merit aid at any of the schools you listed…you should be aiming for 1500…or so.

Full ride based on…what?

Are you looking for need based aid which is based on family income and assets?

Are you looking for merit aid which is based on the strength of your SAT or ACT scores and GPA?

Let’s start with UVA. The school provides very little merit aid…and what they do provide is HIGHLY competitive. The school does meet full need for all…if they determine you qualify.

VT and WM have some merit awards, but they are very competitive awards.

Are you saying your parents can’t afford the instate costs for you to attend ANY of the many VA public universities?

How much CAN they pay each year?

Mainly based on academics (SAT, ACT, GPA) but now that I think about it, maybe also family income. I think our family income is around 40k but I am not positive. I’m not sure how much they would pay each year but I know for sure they would be willing to give all that they have since education is extremely stressed in my family. I just don’t want my parents to give up a lot of their money just for me.

Also my goal for my SAT for the first time is 1350. But I want atleast a 1400-1450 before college app. *

@BrownG1rl

If your parent income is $40,000 a year…it would be very difficult for them to pay your full costs to attend even UVA at $30,000 a year…unless they have significant savings…do they?

The good news is that UVA guarantees to meet full need for ALL accepted students.

Have you run the net price calculators for these colleges? The NPCs are currently set up for students starting 2019 fall…but this will give you a ballpark of your net costs. BUT if your parents own a business, are self employed, own real estate other than your primary residence…the NPC won’t be particularly accurate.

Check some of the less well known VA schools…Old Dominion, for example.

Yes I believe they have a savings for me, but I don’t know how much (definitely not enough for all 4 years). I haven’t run the net price calculator, I’ll check it out. Thank you!

You are fortunate to live in VA where there are a LOT of public universities. Keep your mind open about all of them. UVA, WM and VT are the three most competitive…but there are plenty of other public universities in VA.

@BrownG1rl - If your family income is in that range, you should apply to the University of Richmond. The school has one of the highest per student endowments and is generous with financial aid.

I believe, if VA resident, and family income under $60,000 or a little higher, it’s tuition free.

Did you take the PSAT?

The merit scholarships at UVA and W&M is very competitive (Jefferson and 1693 Scholars). If family income is really $40K a year, you could probably get significant grant aid from these two schools. VT is probably less generous with grant aid based on income, but may have some merit scholarships that might be possible.