<p>I am a current junior in high school and I live in California. After tons of researching, Elon has been my #1 since sophomore year (although I haven't been there yet). </p>
<p>My parents have been talking to me about college recently and are telling me that Elon is unrealistic because we can't afford it.</p>
<p>I am a good student (4.0 gap, 1800 on my first SAT) and I'm super involved in my school, community, and athletics.</p>
<p>How good or bad is Elon's financial aid/merits? Is it unrealistic to think that I might get a pretty good (like half) scholarship?</p>
<p>Does applying early decision/action increase my chances of getting grants?</p>
<p>Is there someone I can contact now to discuss this with?</p>
<p>I am dying to go to Elon, and it scares me that I might have to rule this school out due to financial reasons. </p>
<p>Please, any/all advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!!!! :)</p>
<p>Elon is not know for a lot of aid because it supposedly trys to keep down the tuition for all students. It is less expensive than some other private schools. Unless you could qualify for a merit aid like a fellows scholarship (which are limited ) You need to realistically figure out your expected family contribution (EFC) and see how it compares to the cost of attendance (COA) Also keep in mind that travel to and from school is an added expense that can really add up over time.</p>
<p>Agreeing with Scoutmom on all points. </p>
<p>Also, a 4.0 GPA (weighted for honors classes) and an 1800 SAT puts you right in the middle of the applicant pool for Elon - I think their current SAT average is closer to 1900. </p>
<p>There are many EFC (Expected Financial Contribution) calculators online. Have your parents help you fill one out to see what you’ll be expected to pay for college. Elon is often - but NOT always - able to give enough financial aid so that you won’t have to pay more than your EFC. I would doubt they’d be able to give you financial aid or merit scholarship money so that you’d end up paying less than your EFC.</p>
<p>The experts in this area are in the Financial Aid office. I’m sure their contact info is on Elon’s website.</p>
<p>Just want to add to the wisdom above that the cutoff for the $4500/year Presidential Scholarship this year was about a 1970 out of 2400 SAT score. </p>
<p>Discuss with your parents what they can afford. Do the EFC calculator. Keep in mind that costs increase every year - it is about $38,000 for 2012-13. So - by your senior year of college - could easily be $50,000/year.</p>
<p>Please don’t stretch your family financially for Elon - or for any college. You have many fine options in CA. There are just too many stories in the news every day about students who cannot afford to pay their student loans - parents who are burdened by debt they took on to pay for college, etc. Don’t do it.</p>
<p>Agree w rockvillemom- don’t stretch the budget. You can have an excellent college expereince at a more affordable price for your family.</p>