merit aid is the only way I'm going to school

Paying for College
1

<p>Hey there. I'm applying to my safety school University of Utah, and if anyone has any experience, could they chance me for the presidential scholarship (basically gives a full ride)? I know it isn't impressive, but I'm very financially strapped :( and I feel like free college is the only way I could really make it work... I'm really very, very worried that if I don't get really good merit aid, that I can't make it. </p>

<p>ACT: 28 (working on raising it to above a 30) Essay portion: 9/12
GPA (unweighted): 3.8
Class rank: top 10%</p>

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<p>*What should I do while I still can before applications?
Thank you for anyone that takes the time to help. </p>

2

<p>Are you from a low income family? Can your parents contribute anything towards your college education? </p>

3

<p>^ Yes. I have a single parent with other college-aged siblings, and I’m lower income. I’m applying to more selective schools (uchicago, NYU, Barnard) but there’s a good chance I won’t get the financial aid I need at those schools. </p>

4

<p>No chance with that ACT score. Needs to be 32+ for a chance at that scholarship.</p>

<p>Look here and compare with the requirements for merit scholarships for Utah State and Utah Valley:
<a href=“http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com”>http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com</a></p>

5

<p>Are your parents divorced? That could explain why you think you won’t get the needed FA. </p>

<p>Have you run the net price calculators at those schools? Right now you should take NYU off your list. They give terrible financial aid, you will not be able to afford to attend, so don’t waste the time. And your ACT, even if you get a 30, is much too low for U of Chicago. Again, focus your attention on schools where you are more likely to get admitted.</p>

<p>Is University of Utah your in-state school?</p>

<p>Assuming you are female, have you considered Mount Holyoke, Smith, Bryn Mawr, or Scripps? How about Macalester, Bowdoin, or Grinnell? All meet need (based on their interpretation of need, of course). But being from Utah could play in your favor for admissions, they do like students from every state.</p>

6

<p>If you don’t have a NCP you might consider some score optional schools <a href=“ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest”>http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional&lt;/a&gt; and cross check those with the schools that meet need. <a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2013/09/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need-2014&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

7

<p>There is a net price calculator in every college website. However, they often don’t show merit aid awards.</p>

8

<p>Yes, but if you are looking for merit, you can’t have Cadillac tastes (U of Chicago, Barnard, etc.) and a Yugo budget (or in the OP’s case, maybe just bus fare in your pocket). If the OP is looking for significant merit, essential steps include raising her test scores AND applying to schools that give significant merit for those scores.</p>

9

<p>Yeah, you are looking at the wrong schools. Try reputable liberal arts colleges who see your potential and might also want to increase their geographic diversity (which is something else you have going for you). The Colleges that Change Lives list is a good place to start. And do what you can to get your scores up.</p>

10

<p>

Good one; but do any students of today know Yugo?</p>

11

<p>Maybe not. :slight_smile: That is why I added the bus fare reference (although they probably only pay with Smart Cards or something today… sigh). Hoping the OP comes back soon and clarifies their financial situation.</p>

12

<p>@intparent ahahah. Yeah, I suppose that’s right. I do have Cadillac tastes.
To clarify, my parents are recently “separated” (not separated long enough to be considered fully divorced by the time I look at federal aid) and my mom receives no alimony/child support/whatever. Yes, I’m from Utah, and I’m female - so, you know, I have that going for me at least. </p>

<p>I’ve only taken the ACT once (back in March or April) without any studying, and now I’m studying all summer for it. I think I can definitely raise my scores. </p>

13

<p>You won’t be doing your FAFSA form until January 1 of your senior year in high school. If your parents are separated, living at different addresses, you file as separated. They don’t have to be divorced.</p>

<p>Federal aid…well…the max you would be guaranteed would be a $5500 Direct Loan, and any part of the Pell Grant you are eligible to receive (this is for very low income students). Any federal aid beyond that is not a guarantee…so really, it’s not going to help you a huge amount in paying OOS costs for a private or public university.</p>

<p>For NYU, Barnard, and U of Chicago, you will need to submit financial information from BOTH parents regardless of their marital status, as these schools require the Profile. Your mom will do the Profile, and your dad will do the non-custodial parent Profile.</p>

<p>Your mom will be the custodial parent on your FAFSA, and on,y her info will be listed IF your parents remain separated.</p>

14

<p>@Thumper1, would that help her get need based aid at U of Utah? Seems to me that unless one or both of the parents intend to put up the money for college, the only options the OP is going to have that are reasonably priced are in-state public or an OOS school that guarantees scholarships for stats. Here is a link on that:</p>

<p><a href=“http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/”>http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>But OP, you need to get your ACT score up. A 32 would give you some pretty good choices. There are some options on the list with lower scores, too.</p>

15

<p>Utah…no. But I was pointing out that the federally funded need based aid is somewhat limited in amount…and may not be able to fund any college other than a community college if she commutes.</p>

16

<p>What I meant is whether Utah is FAFSA only, and if her parents are separated and she is living with her mom, would that help her financial situation there? Yes, community college would be another option.</p>

17

<p>Utah is FAFSA only. Utah doesn’t guarantee to meet full need. Her mom would fill out the FAFSA, and the only guarantees would be the Direct Loan…and any portion of the Pell she is eligible to receive. If Utah has any aid for lower income students, she might get that. I have no idea. </p>

18

<p>Your GPA puts you squarely in territory for the full-rides that are discussed in the Automatic and Guaranteed full-ride threads at the top of this forum. However, your test score needs to come up. One day this summer when you want to take a break from the ACT prep, take a practice SAT and see how you like it. If it looks like you can hit the SAT scores needed (instead of hitting the ACT scores needed), that might be the exam you want to try next.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best!</p>

19

<p>As a Utah resident, you could apply to WICHE schools (150% of instate tuition) so if there is one that interests you, it’s a good deal. Wyoming, Montana and the Dakota schools all are a bargain (as is Utah). There are even California schools (Humboldt State) that participate.</p>

<p>What do you want to study? Why do you want a selective school, just for the name or for a specific feature or qualify?</p>

20

<p>Twoin…this student can’t afford the cost to attend Utah, the instate public. How would she afford 150% which would be even more costly? Do any of those schools offer guaranteed merit aid for someone with her stats?</p>