<p>How big of a factor is income in the amount of financial aid a student receives? I consider myself to be a smart student and I would like to attend a nice university but I come from a very low-income family so I don't know what kinds of schools I should actually be looking at. My "dream school" is NYU but I am well-aware of the fact that it is a huge huge financial reach for me, considering their bad FA and my even worse financial situation. I come from a family of seven with a total income of roughly $14,000 (plus foodstamps). Are colleges usually more generous to low-income students with good (but not 4.0, 2400 excellent) stats? Is it worth it to have my eye on NYU and other similar schools or are they completely out of the picture? If it makes any difference at all, I am also hispanic and first generation.</p>
<p>Many colleges are generous but, remember, generous doesn’t mean free. You will still have to pay something, often quite a lot, which is more difficult if you are poor. Most schools don’t even claim to meet need. It’s almost impossible for kids without qualified co-signers to get loans beyond Stafford and poor kids are less likely to have qualified co-signers. What do you think you and your family will be able to contribute to your education? Honestly, it’s probably not wise to have your eye on NYU because they just are not generous and, as special as you are, they’re probably not going to make an exception. There are lots of places that would love to have you and would be generous. But probably not free.</p>
<p>Check out QuestBridge. Sounds like you may definitely benefit from this program. I hear it’s a great opportunity for low income students. Good Luck!</p>
<p>[QuestBridge</a> Home Page](<a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/]QuestBridge”>http://www.questbridge.org/)</p>
<p>Also many top colleges meet full need of low income students but you have to get accepted first and that is no easy feat. Look at the financial aid policies of the Ivy’s and top LAC’s. You don’t need “perfect credentials” and in fact your low income may actually help you-- may be a “hook” and thus may compensate for a not so stellar transcript.</p>
<p>Agree that NYU is probably not going to come through for you. I mean, there’s no reason not to apply, but your energy really needs to go toward looking at schools that might make it possible for you attend. You say your stats aren’t perfect, but what are they? There are people here who might have some suggestions for you with a bit more information. Also, from your screenname, I take it you’re in California. I totally understand the desire to get away, but at least you have a range of in-state options. Doesn’t mean college will be free, but in the end might be the best deal you can get – so don’t completely close off your consideration of CA state schools.</p>
<p>Oh yes, and as Chriscross posted, definitely check out Questbridge.</p>
<p>I would definitely apply to some in-state schools and see what kind of package they offer. My son was able to go to an in-state school for free. His stats were just shy of being excellent. Between Pell grant, a departmental scholarship, a state-wide scholarship in his area of interest he competed in & scholarships for his GPA and ACT he is going for free. That includes tuition, dorm, food, books plus he gets back $1500 a semester for misc. Another in-state school offered him more money than that and he turned them down.</p>
<p>One of the best pieces of advice we got in the beginning of his college search was keep your options open and apply to multiple schools.</p>
<p>A Big NO to NYU. NYU doesn’t meet need and won’t help you. NYU is not a dream, it’s a nightmare.</p>
<p>Check out Questbridge but don’t depend on that, many kids get rejected.</p>
<p>*Are colleges usually more generous to low-income students with good (but not 4.0, 2400 excellent) stats? Is it worth it to have my eye on NYU and other similar schools or are they completely out of the picture? If it makes any difference at all, I am also hispanic and first generation. *</p>
<p>What are your stats? GPA? UC-GPA? SAT? ACT? (take both, get waivers if needed)</p>
<p>The UCs (and some Cal States) have been VERY GENEROUS this year to kids who have big need (low EFCs), so be sure to apply to some of those. </p>
<p>How did you do on your PSAT? Will you make National Hispanic? </p>
<p>You’ll need a careful strategy when applying. But, until we know your stats, we can’t give you the best advice.</p>
<p>zoosermom: My family cannot afford to contribute anything toward my college education, but I am willing to sacrifice a bit take out (manageable) loans. However, how does the whole co-signer thing work? Does it have to be a parent? Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>chriscross: Unfortunately, if I am correct, the Questbridge application has already ended. I know Ivies meet full need for low-income, but I just cannot see myself as a student at any one of them. I’ve never been the “Harvard hopeful” kind of kid. I love NYU because of it’s unique “campus” and I am looking for the non-traditional college experience that it offers. However, I will look into them. Maybe I’ll change my mind :)</p>
<p>rentof2: Thanks for replying. Yes, the reason why I call NYU my “dream school” is because I know it is highly unlikely that I will receive a significant amount of scholarship and other free money to be able to attend without ridiculous loans. I know I have a good chance at getting in though. My GPA is 3.8, I have a nice amount of solid ECs, will take SAT next month and am expecting around 2100, and I know I can write an excellent essay. Although I am qualified, I understand that NYU will continue to be a dream for me. I love the city so I really hope I can go to college there, but I know that I should still apply to some in-states as well (yes, I’m in CA).</p>
<p>Anybody have any suggestions of other schools in NYC similar to NYU without the high price tag?</p>
<p>kela10: I am definitely not putting in-states out of the picture. Although I would prefer OOS, I know it wouldn’t be wise to limits my choices.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids: I totally understand how horrible NYU is regarding their tuition and FA. However, I will still apply. Maybe (emphasis on the maybe) I’ll get lucky and be one of the few to receive one of the big scholarships. I know better than to take out unmanageable loans, but for NYU I am willing to sacrifice a bit more than I would with others. Unfortunately, I didn’t take the PSAT (long story), so that is a bit of a disadvantage, but I am not dwelling on that too much.</p>
<p>Again, thanks for the advice. I’m new to the whole college thing and am having to figure everything out by myself, so everything you guys say is greatly appreciated :)</p>
<p>*Unfortunately, if I am correct, the Questbridge application has already ended. I know Ivies meet full need for low-income, but I just cannot see myself as a student at any one of them. I’ve never been the “Harvard hopeful” kind of kid. I love NYU because of it’s unique “campus” and I am looking for the non-traditional college experience that it offers. However, I will look into them. Maybe I’ll change my mind *</p>
<p>Yes, it looks like the Questbridge app deadline was in March (that seems too early, if you ask me.)</p>
<p>My GPA is 3.8, I have a nice amount of solid ECs, will take SAT next month and am expecting around 2100, and I know I can write an excellent essay.</p>
<p>did you take the PSAT? (edited to add…I see that you didn’t.)</p>
<p>Also sign up for the ACT…some do better on that. If you an get over a 2100, you could have some success at some carefully selected schools. </p>
<p>However, how does the whole co-signer thing work? Does it have to be a parent? Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>Do not even consider this route. You can borrow the max Staffords without co-signers and that will leave you with the most loans you should have. Resorting to co-signers will mean taking on too much debt. BAD idea.</p>
<p>Maybe (emphasis on the maybe) I’ll get lucky and be one of the few to receive one of the big [NYU] scholarships.</p>
<p>There’s no harm in trying, but be aware that NYU only gives big scholarships to a few with spectacular stats. Anything in the 2100-2250 would not be a serious contender for big merit. Be aware that being Hispanic doesn’t help much in NY. The NY schools have plenty of Hispanic diversity.</p>
<p>The 2010 QuestBridge application/admission process is over but the 2011 application (for those entering college in the fall of 2011) should be available sometime late August, don’t know when exactly but this should be easy to find out. I think all material needs to be submitted by the end of September so make sure you check throughout the summer for the application if interested. </p>
<p>And as stated above–“don’t depend on QuestBridge” but it certainly doesn’t hurt to apply and if you become a finalist you can list that on your other apps which will flag you as a “low income” student right away.</p>
<p>chris: Oh, I though I read somewhere that you have to be a junior when you apply. Well in that case, I will definitely look further into that. Thanks.</p>
<p>The QuestBridge application will be due on or around September 30th of this year. The deadline that just passed was for summer scholarships, not for the college match program. Seniors apply.</p>
<p>It’s a disadvantage in that you need to work alittle harder…work and get the best grades you can and work to read and research what colleges and universities are going to put you in the best position. If you are not working a part-time job, do try to find one for this summer and next summer and through the school year if you can balance your school/sports/etc.</p>
<p>*The QuestBridge application will be due on or around September 30th of this year. The deadline that just passed was for summer scholarships, not for the college match program. Seniors apply. *</p>
<p>Oh good! </p>
<p>The website is very misleading… It used the word “Junior”. </p>
<p>** The College Prep Scholarship provides more than 1,000 awards that equip outstanding **low-income high school juniors **with the knowledge necessary to compete for admission to top-ranked colleges.</p>
<ul>
<li>The College Prep Scholarship application is now closed. *</li>
</ul>
<p>I thought it seemed way too early to have a deadline. They need to take that word “junior” out and make it more clear!</p>
<p>That said, the program rejects many applicants, so you can’t rely on it. You’ll need a good, thoughtful, back-up strategy. Including some UC schools.</p>
<p>"Anybody have any suggestions of other schools in NYC similar to NYU without the high price tag? "</p>
<p>hmmm. Big school, open urban campus, etc, etc? I dunno, maybe one of the CUNY campuses 
I doubt anyone goes 3000 miles from Calif to go to CUNY, though. </p>
<p>Columbia is a very fine big university that, IIUC, guarantees meeting need with no student loans. OTOH you dont seem to have a good chance there, and you already said you don’t feel aimed towards Ivies. And its a very different campus from NYU.</p>
<p>I can’t think of any others. Cooper Union is a great deal (its FREE!) but its not like NYU, is only for engineering, arch, and arts, and its super hard to get into. Fordham? Might be more generous, but not really NYU like either.</p>
<p>I would suggest broadening your search beyond NYC. I suspect you might improve your chances of finding an NYU-like campus in an urban setting with greater prospects of aid, though I have no suggestions off the top of my head.</p>
<p>What do you like about NYU? </p>
<p>What part of Calif do you live? Northern, Central, Southern. </p>
<p>The one good thing about Calif is that you can go to school in another part of the state and it can be like going OOS. The regions are sooo different. </p>
<p>I’ve seen EXCELLENT aid packages for low-income Calif students at UC Davis, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UCI this year. Other UCs probably have similar.</p>
<p>Hey I’m a low income senior and from CA.
It is really good for low income kids to apply to UCs and Cal states. First the application is free for four campuses! That saves a ton of money. Second a bunch of aid is given. Third orientation/deposit fees are waived! or deferred? (this is helping me a lot at this time b/c I have to pay for prom/ yearbook/ grad night and a million other things!) But anyways it is always safe to apply to a UC/ Cal state if you live in CA.</p>
<p>Of course you can apply to NYU/ other privates because If your low income you’ll have a UC to back you up. And UCs are great! So just apply to expensive ones too, you never know! The plus side is that you’ll have backups. :)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Yes, that’s for the College Prep Scholarship program - a scholarship for college prep. You want the College Match program, which is a scholarship for college.</p>
<p>Be careful with the UCs and the Cal States. They often require around $10,000 in contributions per year - and that can be a lot of debt.</p>
<p>^Not if you’re low income.
They cover fees with grants/scholarships. I also got some loans, but not a lot. They’ll just have you take out perkins, and stafford loans. Most of the loans I’m taking out are for personal expenses so idk if I’ll end up needing it all.</p>
<p>*Be careful with the UCs and the Cal States. They often require around $10,000 in contributions per year - and that can be a lot of debt. *</p>
<p>The below is very reasonable. It looks like there would be about a $20-25k loan total expectation. The student should have some “dog in the hunt” - after all, he is getting the education. A student can always reduce some of the need for loans by being more economical with books, meal plan, transportation, etc.</p>
<p>Here’s an example of a 0 EFC aid package to UC Davis for next Fall…</p>
<p>Estimated Cost of Attendance
Basic Living $13,854.00
Books and Supplies $1,601.00
Fees $13,082.00
Transportation $722.00
Total Cost of Attendance $29,259.00</p>
<p>Contributions
**Student Self Help Expectation $2,750.00<a href=“which%20is%20largely%20personal%20expenses”>/B</a>
Student Contribution $0.00
Parent Contribution $0.00
Additional Resources $0.00
Total Contributions $2,750.00</p>
<p>Financial Need $26,509.00</p>
<p>Estimated Financial Aid
Ac. Competitive Grant Est.-NH $750.00
Cal Grant B Estimated-NH $1,551.00
Federal Direct Loan Sub-NH $3,500.00
Federal Pell Grant Program-NH $5,550.00
Federal Perkins Loan-NH $2,000.00
UCD Campus Fee Grant-NH $630.00
Entering UG Scholarship - NH $12,528.00
**Total Estimated Financial Aid $26,509.00</p>
<p>Remaining Cost $0.00 **</p>