<p>So...pretty much the story goes like this. I was recently accepted to the University of Pennsylvania (YAY) and don't get me wrong, I am eagerly awaiting the day that I can officially call myself a Quaker. I mean, I shouldn't really be worried at all right now - classes at my high school are going fine and everything is as it should be.</p>
<p>And yet, I am worried about paying for college. I have yet to receive my aid package, but I am almost guaranteed to receive $0 financial aid. I am in the "sweet spot" where I am too "rich" to receive any aid, but too "poor" to be able to pay everything off without it actually being a burden. I have talked with my parents and I know that we DO have the means to pay my tuition etc, but I still feel like I should be able to do my part.</p>
<p>This is where scholarships come in. Many of the scholarships that I have come across factor in financial need as well as merit. As an unhooked candidate to Penn, I believe I have some merit, but as mentioned before, I do not have the same amount of need as others. I will still be applying to these scholarships, but I do not expect much.</p>
<p>My question comes down to this: What are some good national/regional (Washington State/Pacific Northwest) scholarships that I can apply to that are purely merit based? I am already looking at the local level, so there is no need to worry about that</p>
<p>If you made it this far in my post, thank you very much for your time. Any help that you can provide is greatly, greatly appreciated...I just want to do my part so my parents aren't too burdened.</p>
<p>NMF is on that tops the list. Did you make that? Don’t bother with Fast Web; they’re a time waster. How about some local scholarships, like in your own community. Your hs, the Italian Club (if you’re Italian, of course), KOColumbus, Red Cross local chapter, your church/temple, wherever you volunteered, etc. There are a ton of little scholarships around here and probably some where you live too. It may seem like small amounts, but they can add up. Speak to your GC and Career/college center at your hs as a start.</p>
<p>I am actually looking at the scholarship packet provided by my career center Should I focus the majority of my attention on local scholarships, then?</p>
<p>@limabeans
Yes, I am a semifinalist and will hear back about finalist standing this February. And, thank you.</p>
<p>Not exactly what you’re asking about but - there’s more to college expenses than just tuition/housing/meal plan. There are also books ($$$), supplies, entertainment, restaurants (you won’t always eat in the dining hall), clothing, travel costs, etc. </p>
<p>Besides pursuing scholarships, which is a great idea (but you’re right - if the app asks for income level then many can just not bother to fill out the app), you can get a campus job - especially after the first semester when you can settle in. You can use the money you earn from the campus job to pay for some of these other expenses which will relieve the burden on your parents somewhat and will allow you to have some pride in financially contributing to your education. Campus jobs typically are very flexible such that they don’t impact studies, can help you get ‘connected’ at a different level on campus - possibly interacting with staff and profs on a different level, and can help you learn to manage your time well - some studies have shown that having a job or doing a sport can actually help the student stay focused and perform even better. You might even find a job that pays you to do your HW if it’s a job where you’re staffing a station or something (library, parking, help desk, etc.) where you can do HW when not engaged with a customer.</p>
<p>I agree that work is more likely to be the souce of a significant contribution. In the end you Dan piece together some local scholarships, but most will be just for year one. I admire your effort, good luck and congrats!!</p>
<p>I also agree that working to cover your expenses is a really good way to help with the burden of an expensive college. Your parents can plan for a lot of that expense, by spreading payments out over the year and so on. So while it’s painful, they know it’s coming, it’s scheduled and the money will be set aside. The hard things are the unexpected costs of college, like books, spending money, supplies, travel, etc. A few hundred dollars here or there can really be a big deal when you’re counting every penny. I was sort of in the same boat as you in college, so I tried hard to cover my own expenses as much as possible, even if it was sometimes hard to balance working and school. I knew my tuition and board was a lot for my parents to handle, so I tried to do my part. </p>
<p>Scholarships are great, and if you can get some, that’s terrific. I would focus on local scholarships as they are likely to be less known and thus less competitive, though they will also be for smaller amounts. Also, don’t discount that you may receive some merit aid from Penn (not 100% for sure, but possible).</p>
<p>I also think a little bit of guilt isn’t neccessarily a bad thing. When you think about blowing off a class or going out partying when you should be studying, that twinge of guilt is there to remind you that your parents are sacrificing so that you can get a great education. Hopefully that will help motivate you to be the best Quaker you can be.</p>
<p>ucsd<em>ucla</em>dad, 2college2college, and SmithieandProud,</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your responses. I will most certainly pursue a job while on campus to help do my part. It sounds like a wonderful opportunity.</p>
<p>This got me thinking - I should pursue job openings at the local theater, Target, etc this upcoming winter break. Who knows, I may end up getting a part time job and will get a head start on everything! Would this be advisable if I can work this into my schedule? Also, is being “overqualified” a bad thing if I want to be say…a cashier at a theater?</p>
<p>You may be a little late trying to find a job for your winter break but it is definitely not too early to start searching for summer employment. Start looking for something you would like to do…good opportunities include life guarding, camp counselor, babysitting. I do not know what your future career plans are but you might look for an internship opportunity. Start telling your teachers, friend’s parents, people at church, etc that you are looking for work. You will be surprised of the opportunities that are out there.</p>
<p>disagreement, congrats on your acceptance to Penn. You are probably right to assume very little aid from them - if your EFC is low, they will only meet their calculation of demonstrated need. And as an ED accept, they aren’t too worried about you going elsewhere if the aid doesn’t work out the way you want.</p>
<p>I agree with others to focus on local scholarships and know that deadlines for many of the larger national ones are already past. That said, look hard at the Financial Aid forum here and on look at the link on CollegeBoard - you might find some nationals that still fit. A lot of those will require an EC or community service hook, but not all. </p>
<p>If this is an ED acceptance our parent(s) are probably pretty clear on the costs. Do they know you are worried about costs? Definitely talk to them. Are they expecting you to have money saved for your spending money? You local scholarships and the NMS can knock off a few thousand and a part-time job will net you enough spending money (if you save it).</p>
<p>Congratulations on the Penn acceptance. One of the big money savers for students is to become an RA at the college. This is usually available once you become a sophomore. </p>
<p>Also, I wouldn’t worry about being over-qualified for anything, even working at Target or a movie theater. As a HS student, you will be low man on the totem poll wherever you start. I would not assume that people working those jobs have less education or experience then you.</p>
<p>Most colleges allow students after their first year to become R.A.s in the dorms. Your job is to help students navigate having problems in your dorm. The pay is usually free room and board.</p>
<p>Use your strong points.
Plan on doing research? Find a lab as soon as possible and get involved. Talk to the prof about possible paid research positions in your field.
Tutor: Offer private tutoring for HS students $30 hr. approx. Or tutor other Penn students in the resource center.
Start looking for an internship for next summer.
Apply for an REU (undergrad research) for the summer.</p>
<p>Ask your dept. which merit scholorships might be applied to as a sophomore. </p>
<p>Don’t take no for an answer. Be polite and persistent.</p>
<p>You may want to check with various employers in your area. Our local grocery store chain offers scholarships to their student employees, provided they continue to work there during school breaks, summers, etc. Our credit union also awards scholarships to hs seniors. And, if your intended field is science, often colleges have research positions during the summer months that pay better than minimum wage. We’re a family in the same situation…too upper middle class to qualify for much. Our son has taken advantage of campus jobs, summer research, and the NMS. Our expected family contribution is considerable considering our age, nearing retirement, and the tough economic times with pay cuts and layoff always looming, but with sacrifice on all our parts, we’re managing to take it year by year. Every birthday and Christmas check from family goes into the college fund to keep it going a little longer. Be realistic, but also keep exploring your options and you might find some additional sources of funding.</p>
<p>Do you currently work PT? If so, make it known you’ll like to work whenever you’re home on break from Penn next year…Our D logs as many hours as she can handle whenever she is home from school,even if it is for a long weekend…This enables her to earn just enough to cover her spending $$$ each semester,and summer allows her to bank money for larger personal expenses…We pay for all her education costs(tuition/books/room/board) We are not proponents of working during school sessions unless absolutely necessary…</p>
<p>To piggyback on the work theme … if you are working at say, Starbucks, at home, you can request a transfer to a Starbucks in Philadelphia. </p>
<p>Or if you are working for a small independent retailer, you can ask your boss if he has any contacts in the industry in Philadelphia. (I’ve sent some of my stars to interview with other stores in other cities.)</p>
<p>And if you are not working now, think about what sorts of part time work would benefit you both at home and in the college town. Speaking as an employer, we love enthusiasm and experience.</p>
<p>I would also like to point out that you will learn something at every job, even if you think it’s a dumb job that anyone can do.</p>
<p>If you can work it into your schedule, feel free to pursue whatever job openings are available around your area. You could start saving for the move-in costs that come with college (buying sheets, supplies, other stuff for your dorm) or other personal purchases so that your parents can devote money they might otherwise spend on your or your allowance to your school fund.</p>
That’s certainly true. My D had a job at a major electronics retailer as a customer service rep - the personnel people return things to and complain to. Some people are just unbelievable in the way they treat others with cursing and yelling about things not even in the other person’s (CSR’s) control. There were a lot of learning opportunities for her to be able to deal with the public in sometimes adverse situations like this, deal with fellow employees, deal with management, be responsible to show up on time, do a good job, be flexible enough when work schedules change or covering for someone else, etc. It’s also a learning opportunity to gain some background in understanding how things can be made more efficient, where there’s a lot of waste, how corporations work, etc.</p>
<p>OP - I always viewed HS and college students as a real asset to some small businesses - i.e. a way for those businesses to gain some highly intelligent and capable employees even though those employees will eventually move on. It’s a way a small retail or other business is able to sometimes employ top students in low level positions - something they typically can’t do once the person is no longer a student. Combine that with the real world learning opportunities for the student and it’s a win/win.</p>
<p>OP, many families are “too ‘poor’ to be able to pay [the cost of attending] without it actually being a burden.” And work is the most likely source of significant $ for expensses beyond tuition. It may be too late to snag one of the holiday temp jobs in retail, but how about babysitting or life-guarding - - always in demand and the pay is good (D earns upwards of $15).</p>
Should I focus the majority of my attention on local scholarships, then?</p>