<p>If you have strong stats, then a private school might go out of its way to give you a very good aid package. </p>
<p>However…if your stats are average, then you may have a problem at a private school as well since many don’t meet need and won’t likely be generous to a student whose stats are not top for their school.</p>
<p>**
Your problem at nearly every school will be that your aid package will already have student loans in it and you won’t be able to take out additional loans to cover your parents’ EFC if they won’t pay.**</p>
<p>Are you saying that you parents won’t pay anything towards college? Or will they pay something? If so, how much?</p>
<p>Marie, do you know how your HS transcript lists your grades…as weighted (increased average for honors, AP, and dual enrollment classes) or unweighted? Does it list your class rank? Most upstate high schools list percentage grades, not gpas, but you can easily convert it to see where you stand (google for percentage to gpa conversion for a calculator). Some colleges will do this with your transcript, but the SUNYs are used to seeing percentages and are more likely to just look at your grades in the format your HS lists them. The guidance office will likely send a report which details their grading system along with your transcript. Are you expecting to receive a Regents diploma with honors/advanced designation? That will also be meaningful to the NYS schools and, along with a statement about couse rigor, will likely be in your GC’s letter of recommendation.</p>
<p>If you haven’t done so yet, I strongly recommend that you call/see your GC and request an unofficial copy of your transcript and CHECK IT! I found errors on my kids’ transcripts…a grade misreported/miskeyed and an honors class listed as a Regents level class. I think it was a result of a computer system change but it was just lucky that I had saved their original year-end reports throughout high school.</p>
<p>I won’t be gettin my transcript until i start senior year… so maybe in the first two months of school hopefully. Ii’m completely unaware of my gpa with or without weights. My average is probably an 87 with my junior year- just a guess. (without weights)
and i feel bad for requesting a transcript because i’m always emailing my GC- i feell like she has a lot to do in the beginning of the year- i tried to schedule my senior interview with her the other day through email and she said to wait til school starts when she gets things going.
& my class is extremely competitive, so i’d be lucky to get in like the top quarter of the class.
do colleges even care about your weighted gpa?</p>
<p>I skimmed this thread, but I’m not sure if this question was answered: </p>
<p>Have you actually sat down with your parent(s) and figured out what they expect to contribute? Also, do you have a job and/or some way to support yourself? Have you discussed with them whether or not they are willing to take out loans to help you? </p>
<p>Even if they are willing to put in half of that EFC (so say, $5k) and then you take out a full Stafford loan ($5500) and then you earn, let’s say $3k (which you should be able to make- if not more) throughout the year- you’re up to $13500 for school. That might not be enough to cover the school you have your heart set on, but it’s enough for you to go to a local cheaper school and save up for the school that you have your heart set on. </p>
<p>Apply to the school that you absolutely want to go to, but just make sure you have a back-up or two that you know you and your family would be able to afford. </p>
<p>Also, isn’t there some sort of scholarship through New York that gives New York students money for college? I could be making that up but I thought there was something that started with a T.</p>
<p>ETA:
Found it, it’s called TAP. Does anyone know how this works and whether or not the OP would be eligible for it?</p>
<p>TAP is based on family income too. i mean idk how much my parents will help me- i’m say at the most 6k per year. so that leaves about 10-12k for me to pay. i can take out two loans and pay them off as im in school… i’m hoping FAFSA will give me a little bitt… and i know i can get a 1000 off for a scholarship at the school since i meet the requirements.</p>
<p>At least you have your heart set on a school where the tuition is reasonable. What about housing, how much will that add to the mix or is that covered in the $18,000 per year?</p>
<p>Other than the $5,500 Stafford Loan there is no loan you can take out on just your signature. You will absolutely have to have a co-signer. The days of no co-signer are long gone. </p>
<p>You should also know FAFSA does not give you a thing. It is just a form. The school determines your need and your package.</p>
<p>I don’t know where your friend got a loan, but I don’t think she got it by herself. </p>
<p>I will say it again- and echo many on here. You absolutely need to sit down with your parents, figure out what they are willing to pay, figure out whether or not they are willing to take out Parent Plus Loans, and then plan your school budgets accordingly. </p>
<p>As it stands, it seems as though you’re going to have at least a few thousand dollar gap.
$6k parent contribution + $5500 Stafford loans + $2k scholarship = $13500. Now, assuming that $18000 covers everything- books, housing, tuition, fees, etc it’s at least a $4500 gap. The OP would probably be able to make up a good chunk, or all of that money, with a job. Now, if that $18k doesn’t cover books, housing, etc- that is a different story.</p>
<p>What do you mean you’ll worry about books later? Books are all part of the package of college costs. They can also easily cost hundreds of dollars that it doesn’t look like you have right now (unless I’m missing something). Is there another source of funding that you have for school, such as a savings account or a relative who is helping?</p>
<p>And would you be living on campus or at home?</p>
<p>The $18K is likely the full COA at the SUNY in question - it would include fairly generous estimates for books, transportation, etc. and a full meal plan with double occupancy. The NYS TAP awards for the upper income limits (near $80K) are only $500 per year. </p>
<p>Marie, you are NOT bothering your GC by requesting a copy of your transcript. That’s her job and she will likely just have the secretary print it off for you - it’s a matter of pushing a few keys on a keyboard. Your mom can call for one if you don’t want to ask. You need this information as soon as possible so you can properly evaluate your college and scholarship options.</p>
<p>its not like i can get the books now is what i mean haha
i have 20k in my bank account right now, so i can take 1-2k out for them. when i know what to get.</p>
</p>