My dream school since a freshman was Virginia Tech (Either their College of Science or College of Engineering). I was looking at their net price calculator and their prices/cost is so high that I don’t know if I’ll even be able to afford it. I am instate (Virginia) and anything more than 6k is too expensive. I come from a low income family and my dad who is our main source of income loses his job in two months. I don’t know what to do and I’m very conflicted because I just found out the news today. I don’t want to be a burden to my parents and I don’t want them paying a lot (doesn’t seem like a lot but it really is for us). Obviously I will sign up for scholarships but what is the best website? How much would FAFSA actually be willing to give me (I believe my family’s income is around 25k-30k for a family of 4)? What if I’m not able to go to VT?
If It matters I have a 4.23 GPA, 1200 SAT (Taking is 2x, this score was with no studying), I am top 10% for class rank, I graduate with an associates degree because of a program I’m in and I am a junior.
First…FAFSA does not “give you money”. It’s a financial aid application form. The data on it is used to compute your eligibility for federally funded need based aid primarily.
Do you plan to study for and retake the SAT? Have you tried the ACT?
Fill out the FAFSA application the fall of your senior year. You will see when the application opens.
That FAFSA application will get sent to the college. If you qualify fo any additional funding, that college will put together a Financial aid package IF you qualify for admission to their school. If that package doesn’t cover your student fees then you would need to search out the rest of your applications for an affordable school with decent fees.
Yeah, I understand that FAFSA is based on eligibility and since I come from a pretty low income family, I’m assuming I’ll get something. Also yes, earlier I said I’ll be taking the SAT 2x and I’m taking the ACT in 2 weeks. I have considered some other VA colleges but I’m not in love with them as much as VT. I have one school that’s commuting distance but I don’t like their school as much (defiantly a back up) or their campus. I do not really like that school and I want to go somewhere where I’ll enjoy for the next 4 years (If I stick to Dentistry, I’m most likely going to their Dental School since its the only cheapish, good school in VA so I don’t want to be there for 8 years of my life). I’m just asking is there any way I could get a lot of money without being in debt from undergrad? Best places to find scholarships or specifically for VT?
Thank you!
If you plan on attending dental school…you do not want any undergrad debt…at all. You will be paying for dental school with loans, loans and more loans.
I know VT is your top choice, but I would urge you to open your mind to other options and look for the positives in those options. You need to cast a wide net because you need an affordable option.
You need to get that SAT score up for merit money. Why have you not studied??? My S who is a good test taker, took a full length timed test. We then reviewed and I would give him 10 questions in areas he needed to do better in and have him spend 10-15 minutes answering the questions while I made dinner. I would then grade the questions and come up with more questions for the following night. If we needed to we would review the answers and do over again. Most libraries have practice books. If you don’t have a parent of help you, do it your self. SAT/SCT scores matter at most schools. Schedule a retake of the SAT in June too if you can
You need to RUN that net price calculator, not just look at it. Sit down with your parents and their tax returns, and follow the steps to complete the form. That should give you a decent notion of what your aid package could look like.
Is the AA that you are in the process of completing one that has a formal articulation agreement with VT? Speak with the transfer advisor at the CC about that. Usually, students who complete an AA while still in high school apply to college as freshmen. However, in some cases it can be possible to be admitted as a transfer. If an articulation agreement is in place that you qualify for, you would be guaranteed direct admission. With transfer admission, you might have more options open to you such as studying part-time while working full-time to keep your costs down.
My son is a rising senior at VA Tech. Are you in the state of Virginia? The income you describe with your family size would usually put you as “estimated family contribution: zero.” The state of VA would grant you $5500 for tuition and the federal PELL grant would be about $5500. That pretty much leaves you needing to pay for room and board. You can borrow up to $5500 a year as a freshman. Virginia Tech does have a wonderful scholarship they award to zero EFC students. I believe about 50 students per year get the Presidential Scholarship Initiative. It would pick up the cost of room and board leaving you to pay for books and personal expenses. I think they mainly give it to first generation college students. You do not apply for the scholarship; you do the FAFSA and they select from that. I know someone who receives it and you have a similar GPA and SAT. They have some kind of support program that goes with it to help navigate registering for classes. I did not go to VA Tech but I love that place. A lot of departmental scholarships kick in after freshman year. My son got a generous award he did not apply for.
Even though you are receiving your AA you apply as a freshman. If you are going into engineering I believe you will have to retake some of your math. You can research that better on their site. Somewhere on their site there is a list of classes that transfer. Plenty of your credits will transfer.
If you don’t live in VA, focus on colleges in your own state. Most states have financial aid that favors state residents. VA Tech gives very little aid to out of state students. The people here can help you find other schools that give good aid. Good luck. https://studentsuccess.vt.edu/Academic_Excellence/psi.html
Yeah, the first time I took the SAT was just to see were I stand and it was kinda like a practice for me. I didn’t really have time to study for that one. Also yeah I am taking the SAT in June and August and I’ve been studying for a while now.
I will make sure I do it correctly with my parents next time. Also I am not quite sure about my program but a few seniors who already graduated went to VT as a sophomore I think (is in engineering school who only takes science classes and didn’t have to take the basic English, history, etc… classes) Thank you!
As a Virginia resident, you can apply to Virginia Tech and hope to receive one of the scholarships that would make it affordable. Also, I don’t know if I can persuade you, since there is a big rivalry, but the University of Virginia meets full need. It could be a more affordable option for you.
If you can get your SAT/ACT score a bit higher, you may also want to look into applying to colleges through QuestBridge. Their general guidelines include an SAT >1310 and/or an ACT >28.