I am currently a sophomore (so no ACT/SAT scores yet) and I am in all advanced classes getting a’s and b’s. The trouble is, I think that there is a chance my stats will end up being good enough to get in to UCSD (which is my dream school), but not to get enough aid to cover the 55k that I can’t possibly ask my family to pay (nor can they pay it either). I’ve heard there’s not much of a chance of getting need based OOS aid (but if you have any stories, please share, I really want to make this work), but is merit aid more selective than usual? I’m afraid I won’t make the cut for merit aid.
If not, is it possible to get enough outside scholarships to cover a large, large majority of it? Thank you for all answers in advance.
The UC’s are paid for by the California taxpayers.
Aid goes to the children of those taxpayers.
The UC’s admit OOS and international students because those students pay full fees. If you are trying to get a “merit” scholarship at UCSD, at best, you would get maybe $2500 per year. Where would you get the rest of the $52500 per year?
Outside scholarships won’t cover that because the best financial aid comes from the colleges themselves.
For the UC’s, usually only Regents is a merit-based scholarship awarded to top applicants. Here is a link and it is only $2000/year. If you are in need of much more FA, then you need to look schools other than the UC’s. They want OOS applicants to pay full price. Some OOS applicants may get some school based grants so the minimum you would pay would be your EFC plus $23K OOS tuition but this varies and cannot depended upon.
OP, getting B’s in school probably puts you out of the running for UCSD, and certainly for the Regent’s scholarship.