There are parts of NJ which are an easy commute to Temple- Mommdc- great catch just in case the OP lives in one of the “bordering Philly” communities in NJ!!!
In before Mom2collegekids can say Roll Tide.
^^^
@Zinhead Too late for that. Deadline was Dec 15th…unless this student is a likely NMF.
I believe those scholarships at Pitt have become a lot more competitive…and fewer in number…but you can’t get them unless you apply…so try.
Have your Mom check the divorce papers. Educational expenses may be addressed in it.
Also apply to a couple of schools that only require FAFSA for financial aid. FAFSA takes the income of the parent you live with and doesn’t count home equity as part of your mothers’ wealth. Pitt sounds like a good choice as well as an in state (NJ) public. Colleges that ask for the CSS will count both parents income as well as step parents if one is remarried. It counts home equity.
In many states child support payments stop when you turn 18. You do need to find out if your dad plans to kick in for your education and find out how much. It’s my understanding that his contribution should have been spelled out in the divorce decree although your mother can sue him now. She’ll probably need $5000 to even start a suit though.
It’s lucky you have great stats so apply to a couple of schools that are known for giving good merit aid. Good luck.
^FAFSA schools often award less financial aid than CSS schools
At minimum, apply to the local 4 year schools and by local I mean 45-60 minute drive, which may include Rutgers and TCNJ. You can probably afford tuition while you sort all this out. Or you can go to community college …
You have missed many merit opportunities, but look through the many recommendations here for some schools that likely still have not closed their merit doors.
While you have your heart set on one or two schools … well there are so many good colleges and so many ways to be successful in life.
A conversation with dad, without your mom there, about how well you have done in school and how much you want to go to these colleges (and you should add more in the next 10 days including lower cost options) may actually get dad to want to contribute … he probably won’t give your mom one more cent than he needs to … but you are now a separate person … I would leave the law suit part as another approach (And you can figure out the details in the meantime), right now you are trying to be a good child to him and try to get some help … and it will all count on his behalf if it does go to court.
Rutgers or TCNJ are about $35K full pay, maybe less, about 15K less if you can commute … and will both give you a good education.
in some ways … not everyone has a dad to GIVE them money … but many people just follow the best path they can and become extremely successful. A high GPA at a community or lower tier college can turn into a scholarship as a transfer into Rutgers or TCNJ … a high GPA at Rutgers or TCNJ can get you into an Ivy League graduate school.
Worse things have happened to people than commuting, while you will have less drunken dorm parties, that is actually a good thing, and the dorms are often pretty bad … compared even to a modest home with your own bedroom.
Good luck !