I'm kind of worried about paying for college

Paying for College
1

<p>So basically, my dad makes a little over 100k. My mom doesn't work. I think this is due to the fact that I have five siblings, one of which is 1 and half years old. Now I know this is definatly not a normal number of siblings, but the reason I have so many siblings is because my parents thought that Jesus wanted them to propagate. The problem here is that they decided to have four of their children while both my parents also went to school, which means that my parents have around 60k credit card debt right now. My dad also mentioned something about 120k in student loans, but I'm not sure if he's including the credit card debt in this figure. To exacerbate the situation, my parents contribute 10% of their annual income to their religious organization (cult) because they think they'll go to hell if they don't. This 10% could pay for more than my tuition if I were to go to my local state school. However, my parents tell me that they can spare next to nothing for my college education. </p>

<p>What I want to know is, am I screwed because of my parents' bad decisions? I most likely won't qualify for merit-aid since I'm not a genius/National merit/2400 sat/nationally recognized in something. I'm extremely worried that I won't be able to afford to go to college without racking up mind-numbing debt because of factors that I have no control over. I'm a fairly decent student though (10% with good test scores) if that matters any. Oh and I just remembered, I had my mom filled in the stuff on <a href="http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp?noload=Y%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp?noload=Y&lt;/a> and it came out to 25k and 36k which makes me want to cry.</p>

2

<p>As is the case with virtually everyone (i.e. most people have some financial constraints when it comes to college), you need to make sure to apply to at least one college that you know you can afford, will definitely be admitted to, and would enjoy attending.</p>

<p>When you apply elsewhere, first check out their financial aid web pages to find out the likelihood that you'll get the aid that you need. There's a financial aid estimator on CC's home page, and often colleges also have such estimators. You also should check the college's common set database, which you may find links to at the top of one of CC's boards. You also can find out excellent financial aid specifics for virtually all colleges by spending $14.95 to access U.S. News' premium college site until next summer.</p>

<p>Typically one's best chance for a safety that one can afford is a public university in your home state, so look there first. Get your app in quickly, too, because often with publics, it's first come, first served when it comes to financial aid.</p>

<p>Also check the merit scholarship info pinned to the top of Parents Forum here.</p>

3

<p>depending on your investments, equity in your home and your parents income, $25,000 is somewhere in the ball park. While they do consider you student loan debt (what you are paying off, not how much of it you have especially if you are not paying it), they do not take into consideration life choices such as credit card debt and the 10% contribution they wish to donate. Yes they will take into account that you have 4 other siblings, but it won't be a big bump unless they are paying undergrad or high school tuition for them.</p>

4

<p>So I guess I will have to either get extremely lucky with scholarships or financial aid, or I'll have to go to a no-name state school (wooo) when I already have automatic admission to the flagship nationally ranked campus. Life is fun.</p>

5

<p>calizoso:
Don't despair! You are in the sameboat as 95% of the kids looking at colleges. Yes, a lot of them end up at state universities because it's all they can afford - but many appreciate the great opportunities they have at larger schools.</p>

<p>That said, you really should make an effort to find schools where you might qualify for merit aid - and that may include out of state public schools and private schools.</p>

6

<p>Where are you looking for schools? Which kinds of schools do you want? What are your stats? What is "next to nothing"? What religious affiliation does your family have--there are colleges that are associated with religions that take things like donations to the religion into account. Where do you live, in general--what state? </p>

<p>As Weenie says, most kids have similar restriction, not for the same reasons, but every bit as binding. It is not helpful to disparage your parents for their life choices. I'm a Mom with 5 kids, and many of my children's choices are limited by the number of siblings and their needs, grandparents with needs, and the fact that I do not work, and some things have not gone so well lately. The finger can well be pointed at me. For all of my kids' shortcomings, I have not heard a breath of complaint about money needed for the kids and grandparents, and other circumstances that have limited funds for each child.</p>

7

<p>Look into Service Academies, ROTC Schorships, or National Guard benefits. The Guard options in most states will pay for everything at a school in that state if you sign up for the Guard. </p>

<p>Its not for everybody, but its worth at least looking at.</p>

8

<p>I was looking at trying to get into a UC, specifically UC-Berkley, UCLA and UCSB if I could get enough aid so that I wouldn't have to take out more than 70k worth of student loans (I think that's the most I'd consider taking out). I lived in California for four years in Palo Alto and I've traveled all over Cali to relatives and such so I know I really like California. I was also going to shoot off an app to Stanford, U-Mich, and Dartmouth as reaches. My "safety" is UT-Austin and since I'm top 10% I'm automatically admitted to the university, and I'm confident I can get into the college of my choice within it.</p>

<p>What I'm looking for most in a university is location, relaxed student body, outdoor recreation opportunities (camping, backpacking, hiking, biking, etc.) strong academics in engineering and history, and at least a little amount of prestige/name recognition. As far as location I really like California. I've also lived in Michigan and I really liked it there also. I don't mind hard winters and humidity but if I had a choice I'd probably prefer the lack thereof. I'm still debating whether I want to do biomedical or mechanical w/ focus on operations engineering. I also want to study history, and I have no problem completing a degree that takes 5 or 6 years.</p>

<p>My stats:
Senior
3.72 unweight 3.97 weighted gpa
61/670ish
my grades are like a parabola opening upwards with the vertex at my sophomore year. My junior grades were all high A's</p>

<p>I'm expecting a 2100+ SAT (took it in Oct.)
800 U.S. History SAT II
APs: 5 stats, 5 US hist, 5 calc BC, 4 eng lang/comp
I'm currently taking calc III at a community college if that matters
I'm also in AP Eng, AP Gov, AP Phys, Honors Choir, Contemporary Issues</p>

<p>my EC's are kind of all over the place because I've tried a little bit of everything. My strongest one is definatly Choir. I've been in several leadership positions and such I don't feel like listing everything. This is definatly the weakest part of my app.</p>

<p>I can't think of anything else to list. I've got two teachers who I know really well who can write some awesome rec letters. It took me a little while to get my priorities in high school straight, but now I'm doing awesome and I hope to highlight that in my application.</p>

<p>cptofthehouse- It's the fact that I'm going to be penalized for situations that I have no control over that ****es me off. I'm sure other kid feel the same way. It would be one thing if my parents literally could not set aside any money because they didn't make much. And as much as I would rather have less siblings that's another thing. It's the fact that my parents can set aside 10k+ to donate to their religion (Mormon) rather than pay for my education. It's their priorities that upset me.</p>

<p>LFWB dad I can't believe that never occured to me. Thank you for reminding me about those opportunities. I'm definatly going to look into ROTC, the Guard and any other opportunities.</p>

9

<p>Don't a lot of you folks over in California go to Community College for two years and then transfer to a UC? I mean, the transfer thread makes me think that, you know? You could go to Community College for next to nothing, really, and then transfer.</p>

10

<p>Well I live in Texas now. But maybe I could do that and bank on the nice in-state tuition.</p>

11

<p>no, you still be considered out of state and would have to pay out of state tuition.</p>

12

<p>You mean you can't even move there and live there for a year without enrolling in a university to establish residency?</p>

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<p>Calizoso, you are no different from most kids who are looking at the college scene, as several very wise CC members have told you. California's state system is out of reach for the vast, vast majority of students even very good one. Heck, even qualified California residents are having problems getting into their top state schools. Ain't no way, they are going to give a dependent (and for college purposes you are a dependent until age 24 unless you are a veteran, have a dependent or by court order) state residency. The rents are very high in the CA schools you mention, so that even if your tuition is in state, you are going to incur high costs. </p>

<p>You would do well with schools in TX. With a good academic profile, your costs should be decent at any of the state schools; and there is potential to a full scholarship at less selective state colleges. Also, you might want to look at Brigham Young and other Mormon colleges where your parents' tithe could give you a decent tuition break. </p>

<p>No harm in shooting off some reach apps to top schools and see what pans out. You might want to pick some schools that are likely to give you some money as well that are not so selective. Loyola in LA, Santa Clara, Occidental are some California schools with merit money.</p>