<p>*It sounds like you’re saying anyone with a low income who isn’t a genius cannot attend college. I know that’s not true. Both of us have GPAs and test scores that are above average (hers slightly, and mine significantly.) I don’t see how that achievement can mean that we can’t get enough aid to go to college when a large amount of other people who go to college have lower stats than us. I’m sure not all of them are upper-class families who are capable of paying off tuition themselves. *</p>
<p>Test scores: They are bad. I’ve only taken the SAT. CR: 610, M: 530, W: 610. Total: 1750.</p>
<p>You have a 1140 Math + CR</p>
<p>You’re misunderstanding what I’m saying. Yes, kids with low incomes and good scores go to college. BUT, they don’t often get to go where they’d like to go because MOST schools do NOT give great aid. You seem to think that schools are handing out $50k per year to all low income students, when only a small number do.</p>
<p>And, yes, there are kids with lower stats than yours going to various schools ON THEIR PARENTS money. </p>
<p>So, yes, kids with lower stats do go to college…some commute to their local publics, some have parents who pay for wherever they go. </p>
<p>Many kids in you and your sister’s situation will find that their only affordable options will be their instate publics because of state aid and fed aid. So, I’m not saying that only geniuses can afford college. All those kids are affording college, but they can’t afford to go to pricey OOS schools. </p>
<p>Do you realize that most kids in the US commute to a local school? Most kids do NOT go away to college because of COST???</p>
<p>It is rare for a student with a very low EFC and test scores like yours to get enough aid to go out of state for college. That’s just the truth. There just isn’t enough money out there to fund all these kids. The schools with the money to “meet need” get soooooooo many apps that they often turn down kids with “above avg stats” because they’re accepting students with very high stats.</p>
<p>I’m not saying that you won’t find any affordable OOS schools. A school like Loyola maryland or Dapauw in Indiana might meet need or come close to it.</p>