Hi there, I was hoping to find out more and gain some insight on whether it’s possible to get a full-ride scholarship with a perfect/near perfect GED score and likewise SAT scores? By full-ride I mean either directly or indirectly, i.e.: either all through one scholarship or several that cover tuition costs fully.
If this is something that’s possible, is it likely to be through the university itself covering costs, or outside scholarships? Is there anything that can be done on my end to increase the likelihood of getting a full-ride at this stage? I unfortunately wasn’t able to complete high school traditionally due to personal reasons but I’m in the process of getting my GED (aiming for a perfect score/near perfect score, all practice tests taken have been perfect scores, I was a straight A student), I also have demonstrated financial need (though I know that doesn’t always factor into it).
@sybbie719 Thanks so much for your response! Home State is CA, though looking at universities on the East Coast currently, mainly MA and CT, SAT score is 2200, Looking to apply to Smith College, University of Connecticut, potentially other liberal arts colleges similar to Smith. Family cannot afford to pay anything at all unfortunately, hence why I’m looking at scholarships as I’d like to prevent loans.
Unless you have bee recruited to play for the Lady Huskies, you will have to take UConn off of your list. The goal of a public university is to afford an affordable option for their in-state residents. Other than any federal aid you are entitled to (if any) and a $5500 loan, you will not receive enough aid to attend there .
@sybbie719 Thanks for the info, that’s good to know. To clarify, you were talking specifically about UConn (and other public universities) right? Do you know by any chance if Liberal Arts/Private universities are any different? Or is it generally the same consensus?
Yes, your chances for a full ride for public universities are going to be slim ,especially on the east coast. @mom2collegekids, would she be eligible for merit $ at Alabama?
You need to craft your list using a bottoms up approach. This means making sure that you have some affordable options at the CSUs and UCs .
If you like Smith, you should also look at Mount Holyoke, Wellesley, Barnard and Bryn Mawr (you will probably have to take the SATII subject tests).
You will not be able to prevent loans. Even with the most generous aid package, you will have costs (winter clothing? getting back and forth to college) and if your parents cannot help you, taking out a modest amount of loans is going to be the only way you can swing this (your aid packages will likely include Work Study, and if you work 10 hours or so a week that will help you with incidentals on campus-- but you don’t get those paychecks until you work the hours and you’ll need start up funds).
So let’s start at the beginning. What do you want to study, and is there a college close to home which is likely to be affordable if you qualify for need based aid which can be your safety school by living at home to minimize expenses?
@sybbie719 thank you for all the detailed info! I’m taking the GED test late next month/early October. I’ll definitely be looking at the other liberal arts schools you mentioned - I’m curious why one would need the SATII subject tests for them? Would this apply also for a major like History?
Full ride scholarships are few and far between. In addition, I don’t think even a perfect score on the GED will be viewed as having the same level of difficulty as a traditional rigorous HS curriculum. Since you do have financial need, I would suggest you run the net price calculators on different schools you are considering and see if any appear affordable.
If you are searching for merit aid, you need to be willing to go to schools that award merit aid. You also need to accept that going 3000 miles away from your home comes with its own costs - travel, getting settled in a new part of the country, maybe a new wardrobe. Health insurance in a new state might be more expensive.
It really is cheaper to go closer to home or even live at home. California has some tuition discounts with neighboring states.
Yes, this student could qualify for a Cal grant. An applicant who does not have a GPA, or whose GPA is more than 5 years old, may submit the results from the General Educational Development test (GED), the American College Test (ACT) or the SAT Reasoning Test (SAT I) to be considered for a Cal Grant.
Does your family income make you Calgrant eligible? If so, please, please consider looking at public colleges in CA. It’s very possible these could be affordable for your, especially if you can commute from your home.
There are LOTS of public universities in CA that have the potential to be affordable.
Why are you getting a GED rather than actually finishing HS? I suspect that applying with a GED will be a negative when you consider your goals…a free or near free ride.
I’m not sure what Alabama would do with a GED in regards to scholarships. Technically UA only uses grades 9-11 and test scores, so it may not be an issue, but you’d have to send an email and SAVE their response.
Seriously, unless there’s an unavoidable reason that you can’t graduate from your HS, please continue there. Is it possible to graduate in January?
BTW…do NOT take any CC classes once you get your diploma or GED!!! Don’t ruin your incoming frosh status.
Many of the more selective colleges will no longer accept the old (2400 scale) SAT even if it has been less than 5 years. Check any prospective schools for their requirements. There may be some schools that have merit $ for non-traditional students.