<p>Cardinal Fang, the OP mentioned in another thread that they are from Jackson. It has an extremely high cost of living.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City U. With merit aid, COA is around $13000-$14000.</p>
<p>Check out the University of Denver. Not far, smaller private that is known for merit aid, and you will likely qualify for FA as well.</p>
<p>My bad. Jackson, WY does have a high cost of living (not nearly as high as the ridiculously high cost of living in my area, but then salaries are higher in my area). But again, that’s not the point. </p>
<p>I have a further suggestion. At U of Wyoming, and other schools of interest, the OP should ask the admissions office or the disabilities office to supply names of other visually impaired students who would be willing to talk/email about their experience at their school. It may be nothing like the OP imagines.</p>
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<p>If you want to go to a small college, you do need to be looking at third tier colleges that offer major merit aid. I also strongly suggest that you retake the SAT after studying very hard for it. A 1330 m+cr is low for the kind of merit aid that you’d require.
<<<<</p>
<p>Northstar is so right!</p>
<p>UW is a rather small school. </p>
<p>Also, her advice about retaking the SAT is also a good tip. But, take it in Nov (even if you have to pay late fees) because some colleges won’t use a Dec SAT to figure scholarship money.</p>
<p>To those who are recommending various LACs, etc…</p>
<p>Do those schools often require FAFSA or PROFILE for scholarship consideration? If not, which ones give such generous merit? </p>
<p>It won’t help much if the LACs do peek at EFC before handing out their own merit awards or grants.</p>
<p>Jackson, Wy does have a high cost of living, but that’s misleading. I’ve been there. Many of the celebs all have glamourous mountain top homes for their skiing vacations. </p>
<p>However, those who just “live there” do not live in those pricey homes. They often live on the “ground level” (so to speak) in much less expensive digs. So offense to the OP, but I doubt she’s living in a multi-million dollar custom home.</p>
<p>Therefore, the so-called “high cost of living” for Jackson is distorted by real estate cost for the million dollar fancy homes with fab views for the rich and famous.</p>
<p>It hasn’t been mentioned so far, but Wyoming is one of a very few states that is not having an economic meltdown, and in fact, they chose to use a big chunk of the minerals tax boom to provide incredible funding for the University of Wyoming. This has both made U of Wyoming really, really inexpensive, but has also allowed the school to expand hiring and recruit top-notch faculty and give them excellent facilities in which to work. IMO, this is going to lead to Wyoming becoming a much, much stronger school going forward. Compared to charges at many other state universities, U Wyoming offers an incredible bargain, and it is entirely likely that the OP will be able to use some of the family contribution to help fund extras like a semester or year exchange given the very generous merit scholarships.</p>
<p>Starbright has given you some really good advise. State universities to pretty darned well at accomodating students with physical challenges (or whatever the politically correct word is). The federal and state laws provide you with rights to access to the classrooms, as well. I would not sell Wyoming short simply because it is a state school.</p>
<p>Having said that, don’t sell yourself short either. Colleges want diverse student bodies, you can help then realize that. Write a great essay exploring the challenges of living with albinism in WY. Be descriptive and write from your heart. There will be many colleges of different sizez that will want you.</p>
<p>Also, there is a western states consortium that allows kids from one western state to attend a participating stae’s universities for the price of in-state tuition or in-state tuition x 1.5 - look into that.
There is no need to panic.</p>
<p>If the OP is set on a smaller and not-in-Wyoming college, I kind of like the Oklahoma City University idea an earlier poster suggested. (Does anyone else remember the New York Times article about the Ohio violinist?)
[Playing</a> an encore](<a href=“http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/04/28/tiffanyclay.ART_ART_04-28-09_B1_19DMGU9.html?sid=101]Playing”>http://www.columbusdispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2009/04/28/tiffanyclay.ART_ART_04-28-09_B1_19DMGU9.html?sid=101)</p>
<p>They really do have an excellent music program.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>Here’s the info for Oklahoma City University - ** I think the OP would qualify for $15k per year!!! **</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.okcu.edu/[/url]”>http://www.okcu.edu/</a></p>
<p>Tuition is rather low for a private…about $22,000 per year (plus room, board, books, etc)</p>
<p>FRESHMEN SCHOLARSHIPS (are stackable, but can’t exceed cost of tuition) Oklahoma City University : Financial Aid</p>
<p>ACT or SAT with 3.0 GPA and above* Award Amount
(per year)</p>
<p>33-36/1460-1600 Renewable by maintaining a 3.0 Cum GPA Trustee Award $7,000</p>
<p>29-32/1280-1450 Renewable by maintaining a 3.0 Cum GPA Presidential Award $5,000</p>
<p>26-28/1170-1270 Renewable by maintaining a 3.0 GPA University Award $4,000</p>
<p>24-25/1090-1160 Renewable by maintaining a 3.0 GPA Achievement Award $3,000</p>
<p>NOTE: Test scores exclude writing portion. All awards are renewable up to 7 consecutive semesters with required minimum Cumulative GPA. </p>
<hr>
<p>PETREE COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES, MEINDERS SCHOOL OF BUSINESS AND KRAMER SCHOOL OF NURSING DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS (Freshmen Only) </p>
<p>In addition, students who are admitted to the Petree College of Arts and Science, Meinders School of Business or the Kramer School of Nursing will be awarded a departmental scholarship in conjunction with the academic merit scholarship. This award is based on a combination of the student ACT or SAT and High School GPA.</p>
<p>ACT or SAT with 3.0 GPA and above* Amount
(per year)
33-36/1460-1600 $15,000 </p>
<p>29-32/1280-1450 $10,000 </p>
<p>26-28/1170-1270 $7,000</p>
<p>24-25/1090-1160 $5,000</p>
<p>NOTE: Test scores exclude writing portion. Awards are renewable if students maintain the required minimum cumulative GPA.</p>
<p>To the OP</p>
<p>I think you’ll get more people to recommend some small privates with good merit $$ if you make a new thread with a title like…</p>
<p>2000 SAT, 1300 M+CR, Need Big Merit $$ from Small Private, have only $15k/year.</p>
<p>then tell your story, including that your parents can contribute $15k per year. </p>
<p>Mention that…depending on the COA at the private, you’re going to need another at least $10k - 25k per year in merit money.</p>
<p>-2000 SAT (1330, math + reading)
-3.4 GPA, unweighted (4 AP classes, 4 honors)</p>
<p>willamette university</p>
<p>^^
What would Willamette give the OP? Can you supply a link to their merit $$?</p>
<p>Check out Creighton (Omaha, NB) and Saint Louis U. Both are Catholic institutions, which would mean better support for you. Both have a variety of merit scholarships, some of which you would be in the running for. When you are looking for merit dollars, you have to cast a wide net. Good luck!</p>
<p>U of Dayton, a Jesuit U, offers some good merit aid.</p>
<p>College of Idaho. Below is their aid calculator. I remember reading a couple years ago that they were pretty generous. This is a calculator where you plug in your GPA, etc. and it spits our so pretty easy to take a look at. College of Idaho used to be called Albertson if you want to search the forums for more info…</p>
<p>[Admission</a> Office - Financial Aid Calculator](<a href=“http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/admission/FAC.asp?ID=admission]Admission”>http://www.collegeofidaho.edu/admission/FAC.asp?ID=admission)</p>
<p>Colorado College might be an option for you to investigate, not sure how merit money would play out for you as it’s selective. If you want to meander into the midwest (no skiing, but lots of outdoor activities) there are probably more options.</p>
<p>I agree with those who say you might find better disability services at a state school than a private one.
That said, two colleges that you might want to look at are Carroll College in Helena, MT and College of Idaho (formerly known as Albertson College) in Caldwell, ID. Both have scholarship calculators on their websites that show you would qualify for merit money. I don’t know what they can offer as far as services for visual disabilities - you would need to call and talk to them. I have a friend who graduated from Carroll College about 8 years ago and found it a very warm and nurturing place.</p>
<p>ooops, crossposted with momof3boys</p>