<p>Latetoschool, thank you so much. You have no idea how much I needed those kind words today. I'm feeling like a bit of a failure with D1 because she's so determined to come to CUNY, go through the summers and get to the Masters + point very quickly. And as everyone knows, I'm completely at a loss with D2. I keep thinking if I hide under the covers the college fairy will come and take to her to exactly the right school at the right price. Do you think that will happen?</p>
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Like SSS, UB exists to help low income and/or first gen potential college students.
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<p>SSS is intended to help students who (the school believes) needs additional academic help, be it because they did poorly in high school, have a physical or mental challenge or just need additional support.</p>
<p>Considering I was in SSS for my first year of college and kicked out because my GPA was "too high" and the household income in my family is $220k - nor am I first gen, I doubt it's solely for low-income families.</p>
<p>Secondly, (I believe someone asked this earlier) for the most part, all SUNY and CUNY schools have an SSS program.</p>
<p>SSS does not kick out students for high grades. Many of our students finish cum laude or higher. Many are perenially Deans List. We send grads to med school, law school, etc. Students have to have a need for support, but that need does not have to be poor HS performance. It could be anything from lower than average SATs, challenging home experience, tough major, coming from an historically low performing HS. this part of the requirements is fluid and up to the discretion of the Director.</p>
<p>Not so with the low income/first gen part. Two thirds of eligible students must be both of these, or disabled. the other third can be disabled or one of these. The federal regs leave no wiggle room on this.</p>
<p>On Googling, I see that NY state has an entirely separate program that uses the same name. Perhaps that is what you are refering to. As I indicated, I am refering to a federal program. It is not in every college in any state.</p>
<p>Unregistered, we complain, but we have perspective too. We can complain about the food, when we know we have plenty and better than 99.999% of the world. We are trading in elite educations and large tuition bills for things like health insurance and other important things, but we can complain too.</p>
<p>Of course, cpt. But, I think unregistered might be reacting to the title, refering to "injustice". I try to keep my complaining from falling into--"they have it better; it's not fair" and I think most CC'ers also do, too. but the use of the term "injustice" does imply unfairness on the part of some, at the expense of others.</p>
<p>Zoos--one of mine transfered; the other is on indefinite voluntary leave. No matter how much you think you can get it perfect, boy, have I learned, sometimes you just don't. But, you keep trying. You're doing great with yours.</p>
<p>I agree, Garland. It makes no sense to me to hear that those with less have more. It is so easy to get rid of your assets and job and become low income. Not so easy to make the move the other way around. There are unfair quirks and downright unjust provisions in the financial aid system as there are in any system. If you are lucky, you can make out in some of them; or you can fall into a pocket where it makes no sense. It's difficult to watch colleges operate as a business, giving merit money to those who don't need it,and then gap someone truly needy by an enormous amount, suggesting loans that are really unwise to assume. The colleges are not benevolent uncles out to support those who need the money, but are businesses with their own goals. That's hard to swallow for some because that is not the talk you generally hear. Paying for college, financial aid seems to be painted much rosier and simpler than the reality.</p>
<p>LOL @ Zoosermom, no, no college fairy will be coming, but, you have done admirably and I think ZG is making outstanding decisions with a very level head, and, she is going to get where she wants to go, and best of all she will arrive there beautifully credentialed and economically sound. Re D2, everything will be o.k. because you'll guide and support her in the same way.</p>
<p>
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SSS does not kick out students for high grades. Many of our students finish cum laude or higher. Many are perenially Deans List. We send grads to med school, law school, etc. Students have to have a need for support, but that need does not have to be poor HS performance. It could be anything from lower than average SATs, challenging home experience, tough major, coming from an historically low performing HS. this part of the requirements is fluid and up to the discretion of the Director.
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<p>Perhaps you should tell that to the letter Plattsburgh sent me regarding being forced out of my program due to my grades as I had to quite literally beg to be allowed into an SSS Statistics class following my "leave."</p>
<p>Again, Plattsburgh, I think you may be refering to a New York State Program with the same name that is totally unrelated to the Federal Student Support Services Program.</p>
<p>The NY program has some absurd quirks. One kid who works in my office was ruled ineligible because her SATs were too high. (They were in the 1300s.) So, she took it again and intentionally did worse. She aimed for an average score and got exactly 1000 (these are out of 1600) reapplied, and was accepted.</p>
<p>Of course you can complain. I would never dream of telling people that they can't complain about something. I merely asked that you have some perspective. I don't call it an "injustice" that my wonderful, hardworking, loving family has faced serious hardship and tragedy and as a result lacks health insurance and other things that some of you may consider necessities. I only ask that you please not call it an injustice or act as though we are somehow fortunate for lacking these things.</p>
<p>Ah, my mistake then.</p>
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You should be bursting with pride and bragging on her all over the place, just because she has such a level head on her shoulders and she's going to have her Master's already when most of her same-age peers will probably be casting about trying to figure out what they want to with their lives after college.</p>
<p>I'm always bragging on my son (the one who just graduated from the CSU and barely had time to come home and unpack his stuff before being hired for his first post-college job.) Big brag? I found out last semester that he was volunteering 2 afternoons a week at a public elementary school after-school program, just because he liked working with the kids. I mean... he was a senior, not applying to grad school, no possible way this could benefit him or be used to pad a resume or apply for any sort of work... and he was doing this out of the goodness of his own heart --- so I told all my friends and relations about how proud I was that I've raised such a mensch. </p>
<p>The cool thing is that when you brag about things like this, no one gets offended -- because it isn't some award or accomplishment. That opens the door to other people to brag about the nice little things their kids have done, instead of them feeling uncomfortable or envious. (Meanwhile, stuff about merit awards and the like has to stay here on CC -- if I bring that stuff up without being asked in my real-world life, then it all sounds kind of boorish. )</p>
<p>Please: you have been on CC way too long if you think there is any shame at all in a CUNY degree. If you had a kid who graduated from Harvard and then came home to live in your basement and stayed there... then maybe you could feel like a failure. Instead you have a sharp, independent-minded daughter who has bounced back from serious health problems with a practical, career-oriented plan that also is economically smart! Yay for her! Yay for you for raising such a smart cookie!!</p>
<p>"I keep thinking if I hide under the covers the college fairy will come and take to her to exactly the right school at the right price. Do you think that will happen?"</p>
<p>Yes.</p>
<p>Zoosermom, I wish my son would do what your daughter did. He is kind of loose right now drifting, not knowing where to go, what to do. A good direction would really anchor him. A little bit of drifting,not bad, but it's time. I really envy those whose kids are more directed and pragmatic. </p>
<p>My youngest son's teacher has a daughter doing what your D is doing, and she is very proud of her. She started at an expensive LAC, and transferred when things fell apart financially at home. Lots of guilt for the parents, but the young lady feels this was the best thing in terms of direction for her. She got her two years at the LAC as a good start, and now she is at a CUNY getting trained for a career. Mom graduated from a top LAC, and felt a bit upset at first, but now she sees the enthusiasm, training, maturity. </p>
<p>In many cases, kids who graduate from colleges will find that their best education investment would be a certificate program from a local college/cc AFTER they got their degree. The payback for the $ spent can be very, very high that way. Your daughter streamlined the process with what she did.</p>