In Desparate Need of Full Scholarship --- Help!

Paying for College
1

<p>I am most likely not eligible for any need based aid due to my family's income. The problem is my parents aren't paying for ANY of my college costs. Because of this I need to have a full tuition scholarship if I am to go to college. Here are my basic stats:</p>

<p>High School GPA: 90.5 /100</p>

<p>ACT: Currently 28, will probably be 30 by September.</p>

<p>Which schools, if any, will I have a good chance at a full tuition scholarship with the above stats? Thanks!</p>

2

<p>Look at momfromtexas’s thread on full ride scholarships. Also check out your local school options.</p>

3

<p>You are going to have a very tough time with this. Please ask your folks to talk to a college fin aid officer (any college) – you are counted as an adult at age 18 to do things like join the military, vote, get married and even run for political office (some offices, like President have a specific age minimum, but local races rarely do). </p>

<p>Alas, there are places where you are NOT considered independent and college fin aid is one of them. You are considered a dependent of your parents until you are age 24. This affects the financial aid grants and loans that are available to you. If your parents think you can borrow, the answer is “sorta”. You might get some loans but it is unlikely that you will be able to borrow all that you need. </p>

<p>Even worse, the notion of “full” scholarship is misleading. A number of colleges mean that they will cover full tuition – but that is about half of what you need. You need room and board and misc. expenses (lab fees, notebooks, books, minor things like shampoo and so on). </p>

<p>So, your folks are doing well enough that you don’t qualify for any aid – but they won’t pitch in even a nickel? Honestly, you might look into the military. That may be your best bet. If you are male, consider Deep Springs College (I think they cover full tuition and room and board). </p>

<p>We are in rough economic times. There just aren’t the “full” rides that there used to be. Parents are expected to kick in – a great deal. If you don’t like the idea of wearing camo, you might ask them what they want for your future.</p>

4

<p>Nowhere is it written that you have to go to college full-time. Will your parents feed and house you if you study part-time at a college you can commute to and work full or part-time?</p>

5

<p>Absolutely. Most students go part time and are in their twenties. If your parents will give you room and board, look for local state schools. Get a part time job and look into some Stafford loans. But also give it whirl with some schools where you have a chance at close to a full ride.</p>

6

<p>You would qualify for 10K per year at uab (Universityof alabama birmingham)…which has a total cost of attendance for out of state of 20-24K (that includes tuition, board , food, books) you could bring that down with used books, fewer trips home etc… so you would have about 10k-14k left to pay</p>

<p>First-Year Freshman Out-of-State
Tuition and Fees* $14,256
Books and Supplies** $1000
Meal Plan $450 - $3,894
Total $15,706 - $19,150
Residence Hall (Blazer/Camp Hall)*** $5,200
Grand Total $20,906 - $24,350 </p>

<p>OOS merit aid </p>

<p>To be eligible for academic scholarships at UAB, students must be admitted by December 1. New freshmen are automatically considered for all university-wide academic scholarships upon admission to UAB. All scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis as funds are available, and are renewable for four years.</p>

<p>Blazer Elite Scholarship</p>

<p>$10,000
Based on academic achievement (28-36 ACT and at least 3.0 GPA)
Blazer Gold Scholarship</p>

<p>$7,500
Based on academic achievement (26-27 ACT and at least 3.0 GPA)
Blazer Pride Scholarship</p>

<p>$5,000
Based on academic achievement (24-25 ACT and at least 3.0 GPA) </p>

<p>pm if you want more info.</p>

7

<p>Are you willing to go to any college? Anywhere, as long as it’s the lowest cost? </p>

<p>Or, do you have a “wish list” of what you’d like in your college?</p>

<p>Also, what state do you live in?</p>

8

<p>You should look at all the schools in your state and in nearby states. See what types of scholarships you might qualify for. Some states will offer tuition discounts to students in nearby states so you may be able to attend a good out-of-state school if you don’t like your in-state options. </p>

<p>Otherwise you have a few options: go part time, go to a community college and then transfer, take out student loans, or get a job and attend an affordable school. Student loans will require a co-signer, but you will still be the one paying back those loans. Don’t get too comfortable with loans, though, all that money and interest can really add up over four years. </p>

<p>Don’t panic and don’t feel bad. Lots of students pay their own way through school. In fact I’ve known way more people doing this than people who had full scholarships or parents who are paying.</p>

9

<p>Thank you all for your responses.</p>

<pre><code> DougBetsy:

</p>

<pre><code>I am willing to take out the maximum loans available for Freshman ($5500) and still have a couple of thousand dollars needed to fill the gap, which I can attain through working. I’d much rather an out of state (NY) college. My college wish list: I’d much prefer warm weather, or at least not cold. I would also like a wide variety of majors. I’d be more willing to compromise on the first than the second. As long as it has a decent number of majors and is affordable, I’d happily look into it.
</code></pre>

<p>October47:

</p>

<p>Where should I start looking for scholarships? Is there any book/other source that has a list of scholarships offered and lists the stats needed to be eligible? Also, thanks for the reassurance.</p>

<p>cptofthehouse:

</p>

<p>Do you have any suggestion as to which schools you think I have a decent chance of a full ride? A full tuition scholarship would also be enough together with $5500 in loans and working, which I would be more than willing to do.</p>

10

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/148852-what-ive-learned-about-full-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/291483-update-what-i-learned-about-free-ride-scholarships.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/143944-master-list-full-near-full-tuition-merit.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/143944-master-list-full-near-full-tuition-merit.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/211927-institutional-merit-based-scholarships-full-tuition.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/211927-institutional-merit-based-scholarships-full-tuition.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

11

<p>

</p>

<p>Start with the list of schools you’d love to go to and see what they offer.</p>