Hello! I was directed here by a very helpful individual who goes by @txstella so that I would be able to get some help finding merit aid and scholarships.
Here’s my basic profile:
White Male
Gpa: 3.92/4 uw
ACT: 34
State of Residence: IL
Fields of interest: Business and Journalism
My parents would probably be comfortable paying 20-30k a year for a school (although the less the better) but I think they would cap out around 40-50k at the very most.
@txstella has already enlightened me about the UA and Temple full rides, but I’m not sure about the quality of their business/journalism programs. I want to identify large scholarships at schools with good journalism/business programs because my parents likely can’t afford the full EFC for OOS or private schools and that their income is too high for much financial aid.
Any help that anyone can give will be greatly appreciated!
BTW…Bama and Temple offer free tuition, not free rides.
Are you a likely NMF? If so, then Bama would give you more.
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My parents would probably be comfortable paying 20-30k a year for a school (although the less the better) but I think they would cap out around 40-50k at the very most.
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That is actually a big difference…so please ask them so you’re dealing with facts.
@mom2collegekids Thank you for the links, and I would love those contacts if you would send them to me! I realized I mistyped when I said that Alabama offers full rides, I always get the terminology confused Still, free tuition is biiiiig. I’m not going to be a NMF, I only scored a 206 on my PSAT but I know the financials are a little hazy, I have some money already saved away from college, and I’m comfortable taking out loans myself, but obviously if I can go to a quality program at a low price, that would be awesome!
The tour is a mix of walking and riding in a small bus, so each tour is strictly limited to the number of seats on that small bus for the riding portion.
In the email to the below listed Honors College people, include:
Student’s name and contact info
Date and time of the Campus tour that you’ve reserved.
GPA and test scores (include likely NMSF if applicable)
Likely majors
Career interests (including med, business, law, etc)
Anything particular that you want to see. If you have an interest in seeing the new Science and Engineering Complex, the TV or radio stations, the B-school or what-have-you, let them know.
They will arrange the rest of the day…meeting with faculty, honors people, touring honors dorms, etc.
Sometimes mail goes to their SPAM folders, so call them if you haven’t heard back within a few business days. They do an excellent job and work very hard.
@Windycitykid, try to pin your parents down. As @Mom2collegekids notes, it’s a big difference. On another thread you mention their income as less than $125K – so paying $20-30K/year sounds like a pretty big stretch.
@NROTCgrad very interesting, as I had never really heard of Ohio before now. Looking into it more, their one on one approach to education at the honors college seems like a really cool idea, and I really might want to check it out. My only qualm though is that when looking at their financial aid and specifically their merit aid scholarships, the qualifications are very fuzzy and I can’t really tell who gets what money or how many scholarships get awarded. Could you provide any insight into that?
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I think they would cap out around 40-50k at the very most.
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Unless they have substantial college savings for you, no mortgage, or similar, then paying $40k-50k per year would not likely be possible if their income is around $125k.
I know what you mean. They used to have a crystal clear policy. Not sure why OU decided to get less clear.
With an ACT of 34, I suspect that you would get close to full tuition. You would have two years ago. Now it looks like you have to apply and get accepted before knowing for sure what kind of aid you would get.
OU is the oldest university in the state, but is often overshadowed by Ohio State and Miami. The Honors Tutorial College is probably the best educational program in the state of Ohio. The honors programs at OSU and Miami do not compare, and even private colleges in Ohio are hardly equivalent.
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Another thing to note, around 80k already saved for college, if that means anything.
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Is that in ONE account for all 3 kids? or is there $80k saved in 3 accts for 3 kids ($240k saved). Since one child is a lot younger, maybe that child’s acct has less because parents are still contributing?
I’m guessing that if your parents have $80k saved that is “just for you,” then they plan on using $20k per year to pay for “their contribution.”
You need to talk to them about specifics.
Is that $125k income gross or net? Is that after retirement contributions?
Ohio University does have the OU guarantee now. It means that whatever your COA is your freshman year it will not increase for your four years of undergrad.
but I know the financials are a little hazy, I have some money already saved away from college, and I’m comfortable taking out loans myself, but obviously if I can go to a quality program at a low price, that would be awesome!