<p>I agree on applying to Mount Holyoke. I’d add Simmons, too. For these stats, you may have a shot at St Olaf, Wheaton, and Muhlenberg- the ACT is low but your GPA is good, it’s close to an A- (can you retake the ACT in December)?
If you were homeless (lost your home & had to live with relatives for a while, for instance) and now rent, this is definitely something that should be taken into account. That also qualifies you for fee waivers. Your GC should have filled that out for you and should absolutely mention it in your recommendation.
Elmira isn’t known for special generosity towards lower-income students - it provides a full tuition scholarship to all valedictorians and salutatorians, hence great packages for these, but then isn’t all that good for the others.
I would look into Wooster, Allegheny, Ohio Wesleyan, Illinois Wesleyan, Nebraska Wesleyan, Goucher, Beloit, Gustavus Adolphus, Luther, Maryville, Loyola Maryland, Hendrix, Washington College, Elmhurst, Lake Forest, St Lawrence, Hobart&William Smith, Moravian, Guilford. Run the Net Price Calculator for each of these and among those that look affordable, look into them and see if you like them. You’ll have to apply widely, as you’ve already understood.
It’s highly likely a moderately selective college will be cheaper than a public that doesn’t offer FA, if you’re the right fit.
Berea isn’t conservative at all (it was one of the first integrated colleges in the South, for instance) and it’s not just Appalachia, it’s open to all students, including internationals. Do apply there in any case.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of the wonderful suggestions! I was never actually homeless. We sold the house with just enough money to rent move and rent a small house in the same district. I felt homeless, though. ;- (</p>
<p>l will scratch Elmira and add Simmons. How is Wheaton when it comes to financial aid? Simmons?</p>
<p>I do receive waivers for all tests. </p>
<p>Can you comment on the political and social climate at the colleges you mentioned? </p>
<p>If you GC reccomended Elmira, keep it. Often the GC has access to information / contacts which will benefir certain kids. </p>
<p>I saw a link to this chart the other day on another thread.</p>
<p><a href=“http://muskingum.edu/financialaid/commitment/commitment-36.html”>http://muskingum.edu/financialaid/commitment/commitment-36.html</a></p>
<p>I think this college is one that meets your qualifications and it looks like you can get quite a bit of aid there. Muskingum is in Ohio about an hour east of Columbus.</p>
<p>There’s also Truman State, with automatic scholarships for stats, then competitive scholarships. It’s a strong public LAC (much higher ranked than Muskingum).
When you look at scholarship, look at total costs, as a $19,000 scholarship may sound nice, until you realize sticker price is 59,000… And then, a 100,000 scholarship for a 22K school is a better deal. :)</p>
<p>So, are you all saying that I’d get a better deal at a small. private liberal arts college (not a competitive one) than a state university? This is what my GC said. Especially in my state where public colleges are not very cheap.</p>
<p>Re: Albright trying to meet full need…</p>
<p>
</a></p>
<p>According to Albright’s net price calculator at <a href=“ClearCost”>ClearCost; , a student with married parents making $10,000 each per year, 3.65 HS GPA, and 24 ACT will see a net price of $26,590.</p>
<p>The breakdown:</p>
<p>
Your published cost of attendance:</p>
<p>Tuition & Fees + $38,220
Room & Board + $10,400
Books & Supplies + $1,100
Other Expenses + $1,100
Total Cost $50,820</p>
<p>Your estimated grants and scholarships:</p>
<p>Federal Aid
Pell Grant - $5,730
FSEOG Grant - $1,500
College Grants and Scholarships
Total Albright Grants and Scholarships - $17,000</p>
<p>Your Estimated Net Price $26,590</p>
<p>Your estimated eligibility for other aid programs:</p>
<p>Work-Study
Federal Work-Study - $2,000</p>
<p>Loans
Stafford Subsidized Loan - $3,500
Perkins Loan - $2,000
Stafford Unsubsidized Loan - $2,000
PLUS Loan (Parent Loan) - $17,090</p>
<p>Your Estimated Out-of-Pocket Cost $0
</p>
<p>Not sure how many people here would consider $24,590 in loans per year (plus $2,000 student work earnings) to be a reasonable amount.</p>
<p>They said that Plus loans are not a part of the aid. They also know that my parents can not take out Plus loans. I’ll call again tomorrow.</p>
<p>It is apparent from the net price calculator results that Albright’s definition of “need” would probably not be considered realistic by many here, at least for the example in reply #46.</p>
<p>It depends what state you live in and whether your state has grants for lower income (or any income) families. If you could tell us, it’d help. Your situation is different whether you live, say, in Ny State or in Pennsylvania.</p>
<p>Okay, if that Albright NPC is accurate, that is absolutely NOT meeting full need. It’s really awful for them to claim they do if that’s an accurate award. PLUS loans and unsub loans should not count!</p>
<p>I talked to the fin aid director there, Carolyn Woodward, and asked very specifically about this. PLUS loans are not used in their financial aid packages except to meet EFC which is always the option for anyone so qualified. I did not ask about unsubsidized student loans. </p>
<p>What Albright does is meet full need as defined by EFC up to tuition, fees, room and board. Other parts of the COA such as books, travel, supplies, , living allowance are NOT covered by financial aid. so PLUS could be suggested for those costs. It seems to me that they have not updated their NPC to cover this new endeavor of theirs. </p>
<p>Do call her, as she is the one in charge of PLUS there, and is readily accessible. I got her directly on the phone calling the Albright College main number, going to fin aid, and she picked right up.</p>
<p>A student with a zero EFC would have to pay the estimated $2200 dollars in books and other expenses out of pocket somehow or with PLUS (if parents could get it and willing), the way I interpreted, this and I was direct in asking. the role of PLUS in the package, and she was very specific in telling me how it could be used. SHe said that PLUS is NOT considered financial aid in their packages but a resource to be used for EFC and the unmet discretional expenses as mentioned.</p>
<p>I wish I’d known that the NPC was incorrect because I would have pointed it out to her, that it is using PLUS to fund packages, contrary to what she was telling me.</p>
<p>I hate it when colleges put PLUS in the packages, it confuses things terribly It’s not even guaranteed for some people. </p>
<p>Again, I did not bring up the unsubsidized direct loans and it is possible those are used as part of the fin aid package though Common Data does not consider them as college aid, categorizing them with PLUS. Many colleges do use unsubsidized direct loans as well as the subsidized in their financial aid college and roll that into their definition of meeting full need. USC does this. You can see that disparity when you check Common Data numbers. So it is possible Albright is doing this as well. But I did specifically address PLUS.</p>
<p>I want to add, that Albright has changed their definition of need from what it was last year, something I did not read this year until just now. As always, one has to read things even what one thinks one knows, each year because things change.</p>
<p>Last year Albright used only FAFSA to determine need, so that ones need was simple the COA limited to tuition, room board costs (as defined) minus EFC. So a zero EFC student would get tuition , room, board costs covered with the federal entitlements, and what ever else Albright had in their resources. Now they are using PROFILE this year as well, which means the definition of need can be quite different, as most of us know. It could involve a required student contribution, consider assets that FAFSA does not consider. So that’s a departure. </p>
<p>They do specifically link to the list of schools that USN&WR consider full need met schools, and are the ones widely considered to offer the best aid. FOr a school with more generous admissions parameters, this is indeed a good opportunity for those kids whose chances of getting into a school like Amherst is miniscule. </p>
<p>But as always, caveat emptor!</p>
<p>Apparently, based on the net price calculator result, Albright’s definition of “need” means that a low income family can afford an institutionally-defined EFC of $19,090, and Albright expects a student contribution of $7,500 to make a total net price of $26,590.</p>
<p>OP should run Albright’s net price calculator and then ask Albright’s financial aid office if the result really is what Albright’s financial aid offer will look like. But don’t get hopes up too high.</p>
<p>Have you looked into the Bonner program?</p>
<p><a href=“The Bonner Network Wiki / Bonner Program”>The Bonner Network Wiki / Home;
<p>Good luck with your search</p>
<p>I looked up Bonner Scholar schools and I see that Earlham College in Indiana participates. This would be an excellent choice for you as they are test optional. I am not sure how one gets selected for the program but you could probably check with Earlham. The school I am familiar with (not Earlham) chooses their Bonner Scholars based on their EC’s and essay, choosing people with a strong interest in community service. One must also have a low EFC to qualify which it sounds like you do. So if you are interested in community service, which I am inferring you do from your soup kitchen experience, do look into the Bonner Program.</p>
<p>OMG! Skygirl, I hope your not distracted by all the conversaton circulating around Albright. The NPC give a hint at what to expect, but they should be banked on as 100% gospel fact. Do your self a favor, polish the apps, schedule the interviews, get that CSS profile completed. Make sure your first sememster grades are fabulous. And send in the apps ASAP. Often the early bird gets the worm wtih merit and Fin Aid. </p>
<p>Secondly, I wouldn’t be calling the Fin Aid offices to debate possilbe aid until you’ve been accepted. </p>
<p>Not at all. Albright was very nice and understanding. I told them what my grades are, and my ACT score. For there school, my scores and grades are above average. I found the discussion with the admissions officer and the financial aid officer, to be helpful, and it put my mind at ease.I am visiting in November. </p>
<p>It sounds like a good safety school, along with Berea. I am applying early to all schools.</p>
<p>My mom knows a retired teacher though the library who is working with me on polishing both my apps and essays. My family is taking me to visit some colleges this weekend. I’ll let you know how it goes when I return.</p>
<p>Oh! Good news! My mid semester grades are in! All As, with the exception of a “B” in AP Calc. </p>
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<p>What did they say about the net price calculator on their web site?</p>