Kinda worried my GPA will bring me down a lot...

Paying for College
1

<p>Applying for schools and scholies this fall. My super huge mega dream is the University of Tennessee. I'd kill to go to Knoxville. But I don't think I can afford it. </p>

<p>Well let me rephrase that. My parents don't want to pay for Knoxville. I live in a college town in Tennessee. They want me to live at home for 4 years and go to MTSU. To be honest, I'd rather join the military for 4 years and use my GI Bill to go to UT instead of sitting at home for 4 more year.</p>

<p>With that said, here are my stats...</p>

<p>GPA: 3.30 (unweighted, school doesn't weight GPAs)</p>

<p>Rank: 175/485</p>

<p>Rigor: Very hard, one standard class in all of high school. 5 APs by the time I graduate.</p>

<p>APs: Anticipating a 4 or 5 in both APUSH and English Comp. Taking AP Stats, AP World History and AP US Government next year.</p>

<p>ACT: 31. Taking again this Saturday. Didn't study for the 31, now that I'm studying I'm hoping for the 32+ and/or a 33-35 Superscore (UT superscores).</p>

<p>EC: Field Commander of marching band, Symphonic Band, Model UN, Jazz Band, Students for a Free Tibet, founded school's Young Democrats chapter, also have a 20hr/week job as a cashier.</p>

<p>With that said, I'm anticipating that I'll need $5,000-$10,000 per year. I did some digging on UT's website and came up with my cost estimates.</p>

<p>Tuition: $6,850
Housing: $4,292
Meals: $2,732
Total: $13,874</p>

<p>I plan on working through college, so that covers my books, car (insurance, gas, repairs), and spending money. Housing is covered with the HOPE scholarship through the TN Lottery. My parents will pay the cost of me to stay at home and go to the local college, which will be about $4k. Doing the math, that's about $6k short.</p>

<p>I don't know if I'll get much (or any) for need. My mom makes somewhere in the neighborhood of $50k. My dad works part time 30 hours. I'd guesstimate that he makes $20k. My parents keep me in the dark on their incomes and expenses so I can't fill out a FinAid calculator myself. My mom said she did it and said we'd get nothing. Who knows.</p>

<p>Let's just assume for the sake of conversation that I get nothing back. No grants, nothing. Do you think I could rummage around for $6k? I really really really want to get out of my town. :/</p>

2

<p>Would you qualify for the HOPE scholarship from your state? If so, find out how much that is. I think it’s around $4k or so per year.</p>

<p>What about scholarships to UTenn with your stats (especially if you bring your ACT up to a 32+)?</p>

<p>Take the SAT, too. You may do better with that.</p>

<p>Your mom is right that you won’t get any aid…at least free aid. She may want you to stay home because she doesn’t know about any scholarship money.</p>

<p>You can still get a student loan ($5500 for freshman year).</p>

<p>So, with HOPE, a summer job, a part-time job during the school year, and a student loan, you might be able to swing it.</p>

3

<p>HOPE scholarship info…
[The</a> University of Tennessee: Types of Financial Aid - HOPE, Pledge, & Promise](<a href=“About Financial Aid - One Stop Student Services”>About Financial Aid - One Stop Student Services)</p>

<p>Have your parents file FAFSA next January. </p>

<p>UTenn scholarship application [The</a> University of Tennessee: Types of Financial Aid - Apply for Scholarship](<a href=“About Financial Aid - One Stop Student Services”>About Financial Aid - One Stop Student Services)</p>

<p>UTenn scholarships
[The</a> University of Tennessee: Types of Financial Aid - Scholarships](<a href=“About Financial Aid - One Stop Student Services”>About Financial Aid - One Stop Student Services)</p>

<p>For the best chances, apply as early as you can. Apply in August if you can if the app is up. </p>

<p>As a backup, you should apply to some other schools that will also give you a big merit scholarship.</p>

<p>What is your likely major?</p>

4

<p>I do qualify for the HOPE but I’ve already factored that in. I totally plan on having all of my college scholarships done by the 3rd week in August so I can focus on finding as many private scholarships as possible. Both of my parents’ workplaces have scholarships and I’ll apply for all the private scholarships I can find.</p>

<p>My major will be either Accounting, History or Journalism (UT has this really good sports journalism program). Which ever I do, I’d do pre-law classes.</p>

<p>And I do have some safety schools in mind. Besides the local school, I’m going to apply to Memphis, Tennessee State, UT-Chattanooga, UT-Martin, Tennessee Tech and Austin Peay. I think I could get some money at some of these places. Memphis has a guaranteed $5500 scholarship for my stats, so I’d be almost totally paid for if I went to Memphis.</p>

5

<p>Keep in mind that many private scholarships are only for one year. Your parents’ work scholarships may be for all 4 years (find out about that.).</p>

<p>If you win private scholarships that are only for incoming freshmen and are only for one year, then you’ll be short your soph, jr, and senior years.</p>

6

<p>Your GPA could well hurt you as far as competitive scholarships are concerned. A lot of college based scholarships require a combination of standardized test (ACT/SAT) scores and a minimum GPA. For instance at my daughter’s college the big ACT based scholarships require a minimum ACT score plus a 3.75 GPA. Depending on how competitive your parent’s workplace scholarships are the GPA could hurt there as well. My husband’s company offers 12 scholarships a year and there are many applicants. A 3.3 GPA would not make the cut. </p>

<p>Obviously you should still be trying for as many scholarships as you can but make sure you have an affordable back up plan.</p>

7

<p>*
GPA: 3.30 (unweighted, school doesn’t weight GPAs)*</p>

<p>Is this a private or public school?</p>

<p>I would suggest spending some time this summer campaigning that the school start weighting grades since NOT doing so costs their students scholarship money.</p>