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Without significant honors or AP classes, you’ll probably be looking at an automatic merit strategy. Look at the link that @3scoutsmom posted above. You’ll need to 100% absolutely keep your GPA above a 3.5 unweighted, so be careful and try to raise it higher, and focus on getting a 1400 or above on the SAT and/or a 32 or above on the ACT. That’ll unlock full tuition and full rides at some of the schools on that list –
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@CourtneyThurston is right that you don’t need parent permission to take out the $5500 freshman student loan, BUT if your mom finds out, she may refuse to help you file FAFSA, so it’s best NOT to mention that option to her. As long as your mom fills out FAFSA each year, you can quietly accept the student loans offered on your portal. They won’t be for a lot, but they can help a bit.
Frosh 5500
Soph 6500
Jr and Sr 7500 each year.