I’m actually in tears thank you for all the support and advice. These colleges seem great! I did not know about Grinell wow. I really wish I had looked into more options before getting fixated at one. Once again a million thanks to everyone!
Keep in mind that if you make for than $6000/year while you are off 50% of what you make will go toward your EFC.
For example if you make $7000, your EFC $500 (7000-6000 = 1000 (*.50) ) will go up thereby reducing your pell.
Look at the transfer admissions deadlines. If you can get Pitt paid (and have transcripts released) by the the transfer application deadline to apply for fall 2018, then it is all good.
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I have a total of 15 credits at the moment and all my grades are an A or A+ I currently take: - Gen Chemistry with lab (A), Psychology, (A+) Statistics (A) and Bio 1 (A+) HS: I had a 4.917 gpa and 30 Act with 31 >>>>>
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@MYOS1634 “These are superb stats.”
Really? How so? It seems imperative that adults keep it real here. It isn’t the end of first semester, I assume the real college GPA will reflect end of term exams yet to be taken. Even with a nice end of first semester freshman classes GPA, a 30 ACT and ? UW gpa will have a part in a transfer.
A First gen lower income student with a 30 act can aim for Yale @sybylla. And a premed with an A in all 4 premed classes including two killer weedout classes is outstanding; even if the final counts for 30% of the grade the student is still at the very top of the curve.
with only one term of college under her belt, most of the emphasis will still be on her high school record. She will still have to submit her high school transcript.
Lily, you need to start lining up your recommendation letters from your professors this term while you are still in school.
As a first generation, low income, URM, female (assumed) in STEM, with the grades and test scores posted, you are exactly the person many diversity programs search high and low to recruit. You need to be where your presence is valued and your cost is minimized. You also need a mentor/coach/adviser through this process.
Do seek assistance promptly from the financial aid office at Pitt. There is nothing to lose in doing so. Also, reach out to Pitt’s diversity and inclusion office. Explain your situation and ask for help. If you can’t stay at Pitt, start researching and making contact with universities in your home state.
You’re young. You made a mistake. It’s not the end of your dream. Remember, your presence is very valuable in the right setting.
Do you think that there are no low income URM females in the city of Pittsburgh or the state of Pennsylvania?
Even when it comes to appreciating diversity and inclusion, Pitt as a public university has an obligation to help their taxpayer base (PA residents) first.
No and of course.
Pitt won’t do a thing. Even if OP IS exactly the type of students universites seek to enroll, Pitt is a public university that doesn’t even have funds for its own instate students. OP needs to try and transfer to 100% need universities (all private, highly selective but this student has the stats for it.)
The exemption is higher than $6000, I think it is the first $6400ish in salary, so only the amount over that exclusion would go against the student’s EFC. And if this is an auto $0 or simplified assets family, the student’s income and assets aren’t included. Plus this would be 2018 income, used on the 2020 FAFSA. Worry about that when it happens. Who knows what the FAFSA rules will be then, if the income exemption will go up.
Earn the money. Pay back Pitt. Go forward. There really is no other option because if the OP doesn’t pay Pitt the $6000, there will be NO Pell grant at any school because she won’t be able to transfer at all.
Some schools will consider you a freshman, not a transfer, if you have under 26 or so credits to bring in with you. That might affect scholarships you are eligible for too. You have to check every school because they are all different. Some won’t take a freshman transfer, some will consider you a transfer, some will call you a freshman but not allow you freshman scholarships…
While you’re working to pay off the debt, do some research on your dream. My kid#2 wants to become an audiologist, we are a Pell grant eligible family, and live in IL as well. @liska21 came to the rescue with this information, it may give you some ideas of where to start.
These are some tables on STEM metrics for liberal arts colleges (LACs). Skimming these can help you find those LACs that are particularly strong in Chemistry.
Total number of PhDs who get their bachelors from different LACs. Gives idea of strength and size of program.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19805249/#Comment_19805249
PhD in hard sciences who got their bachelors from different LACs. Has a column for ‘PhD per 1000’ to correct for school size.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19801988/#Comment_19801988
National Science Graduate student fellowship awardees from small LACs
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/19554928/#Comment_19554928
Scrolling down this list will give you an idea of the LACs with especially good Chemistry programs with strong support for undergrad research. It would be hard to get this award without having done research as an undergrad.
Among the LACs, Furman University’s Chemistry Dept is very well-known, btw. Definitely add that to your list.
BTW, this is just LACs since you listed LACs. Obviously, most research universities will have larger Chemistry departments, being much larger schools and all with graduate students.
Do not forget:
- See your Dean of Students about withdrawing from spring semester- make sure you know how to un-enroll from classes for the spring, cancel dorm, cancel meal plan, and find out what else you may need to cancel.
- See the registrar first thing Monday morning to find out how to unenroll from all classes for spring semester.
Also see financial aid office on the chance that they can do something for you or at least help with a repayment plan. - See resident life office to cancel meal and dorm contract for spring.
- Remember that you cannot transfer to another school until you have paid everything you owe to your current school so that they will release your final transcript. Universities will not release your transcript to transfer schools until the bills are paid.
- You have a very bright future! Make a plan, pay what you owe and restart your college career at an affordable option. Apply to local schools where you can commute and meet full EFC options. Good luck with everything.
Would a school like Mt. Holyoke or Smith offer sufficient need based aid to this student as a transfer?
Likely, yes.
Yes, they meet 100% demonstrated need for freshmen and transfers. She should also add Barnard to her list.
http://www.millennium.psu.edu/contact-us/
You posted in August that you are at Penn State?
Did you ask about the Millennium scholars program? If you are indeed first generation, URM, and have great grades, and are a science major, you can find out if you would qualify.
OP is at Pitt.
I noticed that at my kid’s school the deadline to cancel or change the spring semester dining plan is coming up next week. OP, make sure to check your school’s policy. You dont want to pay a penalty or be stuck with a spring dining plan! Same goes for housing contract. When is your deadline to cancel!!??
And make sure you have NO library books, extra keys from the housing office, and take pictures of your dorm room when you move out.
Pitt does offer a limited amount of diversity scholarships for freshmen but very competitive.
They also give a limited amount of grant aid to low income students.
What was your financial aid like from Pitt? Did you get a scholarship?
The financial aid award usually goes out in April before freshman year, and first bill comes out in July.
You are probably registering for spring classes around this time. Do not sign up if you cannot pay for next semester. There might be a hold anyway because of the balance.