Huge need for financial aid, good student, not sure where to start

Paying for College
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I'm currently a junior and the pressure to take action in regards to applying to colleges is growing every day. I'm in a sticky situation in that my family has $0 savings and severely low income to the point where we're currently receiving Florida Medicaid and food stamps. Ever since my mom and dad's divorce in 1999 (I was six), finances have depleted, my mom doesn't work (disability), my step-dad doesn't have a degree so can't get a job much better than his current lawn-maintenance job, and my real dad (who I do not live with) hasn't been able to get back into his professional career (pharmaceutical sales). I don't know how else to describe the situation, but we've been living pretty poorly for quite a while now. Affording college is nowhere near within the budget that we barely have.</p>

<p>The one thing that leaves but a glimpse of hope for me is that I'm an outstanding student (I'm not speaking relatively or in comparison to other CCers... I'm merely speaking objectively). So far in my HS career, I've taken the most challenging classes available to me, made all A's, and only two B's (one semester of Algebra II and one semester of AP Calc AB). My u/w GPA is 3.9555 and weighted (although it doesn't really matter) is 5.2355. </p>

<p>I will have taken no less than 9 AP classes by the time I graduate (5 on AP Bio last year, 4 on AP World last year; currently taking AP USH (not expecting less than a 4), AP Psych (easy 5), AP Lang (no less than a 3), and AP Calc AB (probably a 3 or 4); and plan to take AP Enviro, AP Calc BC, and AP Spanish Lang next year).</p>

<p>ECs include FBLA (Vice President 2 years, President one year), Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Rho Kappa, Mu Alpha Theta, Interact Club, Florida Public Service Association, and about ~30+ hours of community service (will be much more by the time I'm applying for colleges). I've built a few websites (my first successful one being launched in February 2008 -- still growing to this day) that have managed to generate minuscule income but hold great potential if only I had the time to make them my full-time job. The reason I mention the websites is that I think it may be a good sign of personal interest, initiative, and dedication in something out-of-the-ordinary and may look good to colleges.</p>

<p>I took the SAT for the first time on Jan 22nd and am expecting my results on Thursday. I realize the SAT is an important hurdle to overcome before taking any steps towards college, which is why I've waited until this time to make this thread.</p>

<p>Anyways, now that you know more about me than my guidance counselor probably does, I desperately need advice: Where do I start? I've browsed a few financial need threads and see that it seems important to get an early start especially if you need financial aid. I don't want to end up applying to what may be the perfect school for me, being a perfect fit, and then be told that the financial aid cannot be met because it's too short notice (or something like that).</p>

<p>My education is so important to me, I am enthusiastic about and eager to learn, college is my only hope. I worry that if I don't do each and every step precisely and carefully, I'll jeopardize my entire future, and land up at the local community college.</p>

<p>ANY guidance, in terms of what steps I should take, maybe some sort of timeline for the financially-needy, or an outline of what needs to be done (and more importantly, WHEN), would be a God-send. Any and all advice is much appreciated.</p>

2

<p>Are you eligible for Florida Bright Futures? </p>

<p>You’e got a great GPA – depending on your SAT results, you could have some interesting options. How did you do on the PSAT? Might you be NM semi-finalist? </p>

<p>Why don’t you post a little more information (like your SAT scores) when you get them, and also what thoughts you have about possible majors, size of school, …</p>

3

<p>Check out these threads: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt; & <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Wouldn’t you be eligible for Florida bright futures? </p>

<p>A list of potentially generous private schools: [Project</a> on Student Debt: What’s the Bottom Line?](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php]Project”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php)</p>

<p>Also check out questbridge: [QuestBridge</a> Home Page](<a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/]QuestBridge”>http://www.questbridge.org/)</p>

4

<p>I’m pretty sure I am eligible for Bright Futures; if anything, I don’t meet the community service hour requirements, but as I mentioned, I’m still not done earning hours.

I only got a 191 selection index on the PSAT, so who knows what my SAT results will be. Only three more days of waiting, though.</p>

<p>As for schools, in terms of size, I don’t think I’m very picky. Anything with a good mix of people sounds good. Although on a much smaller scale, my middle school was rather small, everybody knew everybody, etc. and my high school is just the opposite – I see new faces every day. I’ve done well in both scenarios so size isn’t an issue. </p>

<p>As for majors, I am most interested in biology, neuroscience, or something very close. My dream is to become a high-school teacher, but I’m not sure that’s the path I’m going to take. </p>

<p>I’ll definitely be posting my SAT scores here once I get them; If there’s any other helpful information I could provide in the meantime, feel free to ask.</p>

<p>And thank you for those links; I’ll definitely be checking them out.</p>

5

<p>I’m actually really stoked to see the University of Florida listed as one of the four colleges ([Project</a> on Student Debt: What’s the Bottom Line?](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php?sort=b.range_1]Project”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php?sort=b.range_1)) where cost is $0 for $20,000 income (I’m pretty sure my parents’ income is not much more (if any at all) than that). </p>

<p>UF is my #1 college choice.</p>

6

<p>Congrats on your achievement. You’ll definitely be eligible for the max Pell Grant, and should be extremely competitive for both merit and need-based aid at various schools.</p>

<p>I would start by narrowing down your search just a little bit - find a few schools where you want to go, then look at whether or not their aid policies will fit your situation.</p>

7

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>Got my SAT scores today:</p>

<p>CR - 650
Math - 640
Writing - 600</p>

<p>Not sure where that puts me in terms of averages for colleges, qualifications for scholarships, financial aid, etc.</p>

<p>Note that this was with absolutely no preparation, studying, etc. I just went in and did my best in order to see where I stand, what I need to work on, and how hard I need to work in order to hopefully get a solid score that satisfies me when I take it again in May.</p>

8

<p>Looks to me like you meet the requirements for Bright Futures, 1270 CR + Math. I believe you need 75 hours community service hours to qualify for Acaademic Scholars, so be sure to get that done. I would also suggest that you take the ACT this spring. You may find that you will do better on that and it may give you some additional options. Keep up the good work, your junior year grades are very important. Good luck to you!</p>

9

<p>take a look at this thread as well: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

10

<p>You really need to work to get Bright Futures. </p>

<p>With that money, a Pell Grant (for low income), work-study, and a student loan, you might have all costs covered at a FL public.</p>

<p>Also consider a Florida public that will give you some merit money on top of the above.</p>

11

<p>Be sure to check out Questbridge:</p>

<p>[Questbridge</a> Programs - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/]Questbridge”>Questbridge Programs - College Confidential Forums)</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

12

<p>Look at [College</a> Admissions - SAT - University & College Search Tool](<a href=“http://www.collegeboard.com%5DCollege”>http://www.collegeboard.com) under the financial aid for each college. It will give you comparable data for merit and need based aid for each college you are considering.</p>

<p>Apply to lots of colleges so you can compare aid.</p>

<p>Yes, check out Questbridge. It was designed for students like you, and many great colleges participate.</p>

<p>Pick an essay topic that allows you to stress your overcoming of your difficult situation.</p>

<p>Apply to several colleges that a) provide lots of need based aid, and b) where you will be in the top 15 to 25% of their applicant pool. Colleges typically save their best aid for the students who have the most choices among colleges. In reality, need and merit aid considerations often get mixed together - a top student is also likely to receive the most need based aid, if the college does not meet 100% of need. (most colleges do not meet 100% of need)</p>

<p>Give first preference to colleges in your own state. This is not only to take full advantage of in state tuition or programs listed above. It also minimizes travel expenses . Moreover, states typically give the highest amounts of state-funded college grants to individual students who go to college within their own state.</p>

13

<p>Hi guys,</p>

<p>Just wanted to check in and get an idea of when I should be starting to apply for these scholarship programs, particularly QuestBridge. I’m very lost as to the timeline of the whole application process, especially since I have so many financial aid issues to worry about as opposed to mere admissions. </p>

<p>I actually don’t even understand how one would go about signing up for QuestBridge. Do I have to have somebody “refer” me through the website?</p>

<p>Also, can somebody fill me in on the FAFSA? I get that it’s to determine eligibility for financial aid, but when would I fill this out, and then what would I do with it? Outside of federal aid, how do I go about seeking institution-based aid? Would it be part of the application process for each college I apply to?</p>

<p>Lastly (for now), is there any way to waive application fees for somebody like me? Or will I have to start saving up at least $100-200 to cover the application fees (since I intend to apply to a lot of colleges to compare aid offerings)?</p>

<p>So far, there has been plenty of encouragement to look into Bright Futures, which I had intended to do all along, but now there’s rumor that funding may be cut, the requirements may increase (which probably wouldn’t exclude me anyways), or the program may be trashed altogether, so I can no longer rely on just this. ([Cloudy</a> Forecast for Bright Futures | Sunshine State News](<a href=“http://www.sunshinestatenews.com/story/cloudy-forecast-bright-futures]Cloudy”>Cloudy Forecast for Bright Futures | Sunshine State News | Florida Political News))</p>

<p>Also, is there any benefit to applying to colleges early? For example, UF’s preferred app period is listed as July to November, so would it be in my best interest to apply in July as opposed to, say, October?</p>

14

<p>Do not forget: you have biological father & a biological mother (disabled).</p>

<p>You also have a step father! His income will count when you apply for financial aid.
He is married to your mother. </p>

<p>Your own father is a Non-Custodial Parent, many schools will ask for his financial information. </p>

<p>Both private & public universities may ask for your father’s financial information. </p>

<p>Your stepfather’s will appear on your FAFSA, as he is married to your mother.<br>
Schools will not recognize “third party agreements” that if two people marry, the step parent will not contribute to the step child’s college education. </p>

<p>Would just like to point this out to you! Best of luck in your college search.</p>

15

<p>As far as the FAFSA goes, he’s almost certainly automatic zero (low income + entitlement benefit recipient) so his parents’ other financial info is irrelevant.</p>

16

<p>^^^</p>

<p>His dad’s income WILL count at schools that ask for his info. That can negatively affect aid.</p>

17

<p>Make an appointment with your guidance counselor, and ask him/her to get the details about Questbridge for you. If you need a nomination, your counselor could do that. Your counselor also ought to know how to get you fee waivers for applications and standardized exams.</p>

<p>Each college has information on its website about merit-based aid, and about the deadlines for different scholarships. You need to hunt through the websites for this information. Sometimes you have to apply early in order to be considered for a certain scholarship.</p>

<p>Since you have solid community service experience, you might want to look at colleges and universities that participate in the Bonner Scholars Program [Bonner</a> Scholars Program](<a href=“http://www.bonner.org/campus/bsp/home.htm]Bonner”>http://www.bonner.org/campus/bsp/home.htm) This can mean significant merit aid.</p>

18

<p>That’s why I said “As far as the FAFSA goes.” Didn’t make any claim about anything else.</p>

19

<p>Actually RiversChoice it is maybe 300 or so if that colleges that utilize Profile or their own paperwork and of those 300 there are some that do not require a non-custodial parent’s information. So although you say that many schools will require the bio-father’s information, actually to be clear it’s only “some” schools.</p>

20

<p>Hi guys, I have another update…</p>

<p>Despite my mediocre January SAT scores (1290 M+CR), I just received my April ACT scores…</p>

<p>Composite - 35
English - 35
Math - 33
Reading - 36
Science - 34
Writing - Not yet available</p>

<p>…And I’m taking the SAT again on May 7th.</p>