<p>The thing is, on Stony Brook’s financial aid grants page, it doesn’t mention institutional grants at all - only fed/state ones. That tells me they don’t have their own need-based grants.</p>
<p>[Stony</a> Brook University](<a href=“http://www.stonybrook.edu/finaid/programs/grants.shtml]Stony”>http://www.stonybrook.edu/finaid/programs/grants.shtml)</p>
<p>NY residents eligible for grant money receive the TAP award. I’m going to guess that most NY public universities view the TAP as their need based grant money.</p>
<p>Natan, you may not like the tone, or the way things were conveyed to you, but you have gotten some good info here, so do use it. By not guaranteed, what it means is that a school is not going to meet 100% of the need for every student. If you look at the Common Data set info for a school it will tell you what percent of students get 100% of need met and what the average % of need met is. </p>
<p>Even those schools that do guarantee to meet 100% of need, have the stipulation that THEY, not you, not FAFSA, defines that need, and you have to fill out yet another form, usually CSS PROFILE for that. NPCs, by the way, are not 100% accurate, as they are averages, not individual, and there are often some factors that come into play that could result in more or less aid, or even merit money. </p>
<p>We are trying to help you here. We want you to understand the process better so that you can pick a good spread of colleges, with some that are affordable as well as some that are lottery tickets in terms of getting enough money and getting accepted.</p>
<p>Thank you very much everyone has been very helpful.</p>
<p>Go here: [Stony</a> Brook University Tuition, Costs and Financial Aid - CollegeData College Profile](<a href=“http://www.collegedata.com/cs/data/college/college_pg03_tmpl.jhtml?schoolId=86]Stony”>Stony Brook University Tuition | CollegeData)</p>
<p>You can then see that only 16.9% of the students got full need met at StonyBrook
The average % of need met is 69%.</p>
<p>3.7% of those with need also got merit money, and 8.3% of those with no need got merit for a total of 12% getting scholarships. So if you are in the top 5-10% of the applicant pool, there is a chance for some merit money. It also tells you the average award.</p>
<p>Also out of the 2012 grad, 59% borowed with an average of $20,954 in loans.</p>
<p>So, yes, most schools will expect you to borrow or you will get work study, (it’s all called self help) as part of your financial aid package. </p>
<p>You can go to the similar pages for all of your other colleges and get similar information. Be aware, however, that when you look at OOS publics, the info is pertinant for the most part for in staters, and OOSers often do not fare as well in aid. This would likely be the case in NY as well, since TAP which is a intrinsic part of the aid package would not be offered to anyone OOS, but you are instate, and may be TAP eliglble. When you fill out FAFSA, make sure you link in with TAP as well at the first of the year.</p>
<p>Ohmom said that stony brook doesn’t give any institutional aid. Even with maxed out Pell and Tap all the cost is not covered. So how do 16% get the full need met? Through merit scholarships?</p>
<p>Possibly through merit - and there is a page of those on SB’s site - but also “full need met” could mean they only needed $1000 and got it.</p>
<p>Look at the common data set info at the link. Stony Brook does give some instituional aid. Don’t take anything anyone, including myself, tells you. You have to look yourself. But the chances that you get full need met, on average, is 16% if those stats there hold this year. </p>
<p>How do 16% get full need met? Well, some of them are locals that only need to get tution, fees and other such cost, not room/board covered. So with PELL, TAP, some Student loans, work study, they are covered. Others might get scholarships. Others may only have a little bit of need, and it can be covered with the Direct Loans or work study and just a few dollars of institutional aid or merit money. Think about it. If you go to a local state school, you would likely get full need met, right?</p>
<p>Here are the entering freshman merit scholarships: [Stony</a> Brook University](<a href=“http://www.stonybrook.edu/finaid/programs/freshmanmeritbasedscholarships.shtml]Stony”>http://www.stonybrook.edu/finaid/programs/freshmanmeritbasedscholarships.shtml)</p>
<p>I doubt I’m going to receive any merit scholarships. My stats aren’t anything exceptional.</p>
<p>Well, then you are not likely to get full need met at StonyBrook. But no reason not to give it a whirl and see what comes from it. Just make sure you have some affordable schools on your list. You now know better how it works.</p>
<p>Actually, OP, I think Stony Brook may have some grant money. Back in post #26, I answered your question when I wrote this: </p>
<p>“According to data Stony Brook has submitted to the federal government, about half of the students get institutional grant money averaging just over $2K.”</p>
<p>To be specific, in 2011-2012, 52% of Stony Brook undergrad students received grant or scholarship money from the school averaging $2,327. This is the information the school gives the federal government. The federal government doesn’t distinguish between merit and grant money; it just asks the school to fill out how many undergraduates receive “institutional (school) grants.” </p>
<p>Here’s a link. Look under financial aid. There’s more information there that you may find interesting. If figures don’t agree with some other source, I would go by this because it’s based on what the school has to report to the government.</p>
<p>[College</a> Navigator - Stony Brook University](<a href=“College Navigator - Stony Brook University”>College Navigator - Stony Brook University)</p>
<p>I want to address something else. You wrote about SUNYs being for the lowest of the low and you asked about your chances on another thread to other schools. First, SUNYs are not for the lowest of the low. I happen to know people who attended one of the four top SUNYs and went on to ivy league schools and graduate programs. They are good schools. Second, most state schools give most of their aid to instate residents so if you are looking at schools in other states, you’re unlikely to get much money except for a few schools. (The exceptions are: there are two state schools in the country that meet full need for all students-- one is Chapel Hill that is on your list-- and there are state schools that give scholarships to anyone, in or out of state, who has a certain gpa/ test score. Other than that, there are kids who get some merit money from out-of-state schools like a few really top full tuition or full ride scholarships, or scholarships for sports or music, but it doesn’t sound like these are possibilities for you.) So the state schools you listed are likely to be unaffordable. HOWEVER (and this is point three), Sybbie mentioned HEOP. Have you had a chance to look into that? HEOP is offered at some private schools in New York. It is hard to get that money but it’s a program for low-income instate kids and they are given enough financial aid to attend. The school may not have as big a name as some of the schools on your list, but you may have a shot at affording it. (I don’t know. Your guidance counselor could tell you if your stats are in the running but ask.) So… a lot of the money part has to do with the school. That’s just the way it works. There are kids who don’t get enough money to go to Pace but get a full ride to Harvard. Why? Because Harvard has more money to give. So pick your schools carefully. Best of luck to you!</p>
<p>UNC-Chapel Hill does meet full need, and has some merit awards and gives special consideration for need OOS students. But the admissions is highly selective. Yes, Harvard and other top schools have more money to give, but the chances of getting money from the more selective schools is low, because one has to be accepted to get the money. </p>
<p>OP, look at some of the smaller SUNY schools and see which ones have average stats that give you a chance at some merit money. BUffalo gives $2500 pretty much to those who qualify for the Honors program, and the cost is similar to Stony Brook’s. SOme of the colleges may give out more. ALso the schools within commuting distance will be good deals for you.</p>
<p>But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pick some schools that are reaches both financially and admissions wise. Just make sure you have those safeties in place.</p>
<p>OP, I’m truly sorry that you took my replies to be pretentious and spurred from malice. That’s definitely not the case, and now that I look at it, my wording didn’t help.</p>
<p>I was trying to be philosophical and general about it, but all I wanted to point out in both of my replies was that 1.) OOS costs are ridiculous and that SUNYs and CUNYs are much more affordable for you, which is why I think you should stick to them because worrying about OOS costs where many of them DON’T guarantee to meet full need is even more of a headache and worry and 2.) yes, we all set our sights high and dream, but financials do get in the way. When I was a hs senior I wanted the world, but I had adults in my life gear me away towards pricey OOS schools and into my IS financial comfort zone. I was trying to relate to you since I know the feeling; I wasn’t trying to show greatness or anything. And it’s true: when people go through and make these vitally important decisions in their lives, they’re young. You only have one shot to be a freshman applicant with all those financial aid offers, and it’s hard when you feel like your whole life stems from some decisions you make at 17/18.</p>
<p>I certainly would never want you to feel inadequate, but yes, I felt that you didn’t understand all of the important fin aid aspects, which was echoed by others. This is hard for everyone, but hopefully you understand the system better now. With both of my responses I just wanted to express my concern. No one wants to see you apply to schools you can’t afford and then end up with limited options. That’s horrible, and all of us just want you to have a better understanding of it. </p>
<p>But now I shall take my bow and leave this thread since I recognize that I have rubbed you the wrong way. I wish you the best of luck, and I’m happy that you received such great feedback from the people on this forum. They really know their stuff and they can help guide you, and now you can progress with some good information.</p>
<p>@harvest It’s all good man. I see where your coming from. I was out of line as well. Thanks for the advice. </p>
<p>To anyone interested i applied to the following schools </p>
<p>University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (my reach)
SUNY Stony Brook
SUNY Buffalo
SUNY Binghamton
CUNY City College (safety)</p>
<p>Also @ 2college I don’t think SUNYs are the lowest of the low. I think their great schools and I really wish I get in to Stony Brook. That comment was about something different</p>
<p>That’s a good list and those are all good schools. I hope you come back and let us know how it works out.</p>
<p>Haha I definitely will. I just want to get into Stony Brook honestly. It’s a great school with a great CS department.</p>
<p>Do a little more research on UNC, as they do have or had a program to attract OOS low income students. Make sure that they know you are in that category. This is a school that would meet full need if you are accepted.</p>
<p>You have a good solid safety in your CUNY, at least I hope. I would have suggested that you added Albany and another smaller SUNY into the mix, as they would have some merit possibilities.</p>
<p>Your packages from your SUNY picks will likely have Direct Student Loans, Work study in them. From SB and Buff, there is the possibility of some merit, and all three schools do give some institutional aid. But you will be expected to cough up some funds yourself, so start thinking about a job this summer and maybe even weekends and after school once you get your acceptances. Yes, even Harvard wants a student to put some skin in the game and has a required student contribution, so you can just look in the mirror as to where you are going find some of that money. You are not entitled to a sleep away college experiene, and are lucky to be in a state where college is pretty much a entitlement with the extensive SUNY network (including CCs and CUNYs) that make this so. There are many, most in the country who do not have that privilege. But this does not extend to getting your 3 meals and a cot and an allowance to boot. You gotta come up with some of this money. You’ll need money to get there and for your supplies.</p>
<p>I can tell you that an advantage, I know, of Buffalo is that after freshman year, the possibility of cheap off campus housing is there, and most kids do take advantage of it,which will cut some of your costs. And the Chinatown buses make for cheap transportation there and to Binghamton, I believe too., as well as to many other places. </p>
<p>Just do understand, that even with a zero EFC, even at the most generous schools, you will be expected to work and come up with some financial contributiion to the costs. </p>
<p>Good luck and keep us apprised.</p>
<p>Post 75…good well balanced list. I hope the money comes through for you and you have some choices come end of April.</p>