<p>First off, I'd like to thank you for even considering to help me out. I really appreciate it. </p>
<p>I am a Junior in High School and I'm starting to look at prospective colleges. I come from a low-income family. My dad makes $30-$35,000 yearly and my mother is laid off so she get unemployment benefits.</p>
<p>It's likely going to stay this way until I reach college so I'm basing off these numbers. I will likely finish high school with a 3.8 GPA (weighted) and medium-high course rigor.</p>
<p>I would like to know your estimates and suggestions on how much I will need to pay and what college to attend. I'd prefer if you can keep the suggested colleges in Michigan, however OOS is acceptable if they offer more aid than in-state universities. Also, please state what should I specifically do to earn that aid, if anything.</p>
<p>Even though you may be low income/high need, most colleges do not promise to (and often financially cannot) meet all of your need. IF you have an EFC of 0, you may get very good aid packages at UM and MSU — no guarantees, of course. The other state schools will be good bets if you can live at home. WSU and OU have really good need based aid, but the free money will generally just cover tuition … room & board will probably have to be loans (and you can only borrow $5500 in student loans as a freshman - unless you also get a Perkins loan, but that is not a guarantee & it’s still a lot of debt for a freshman). Community colleges are also an excellent deal — work with an academic advisor right from the start so that you can get into classes that will best prepare you for junior level standing at a four year college. </p>
<p>If you are a first generation college student (parents didn’t go to college), you may want to look into WSU’s TRIO program. This program offers great scholarships & excellent student support. Other MI colleges have similar programs for low income or first generation students. Call admissions & ask!</p>
<p>So what if I go to Wayne State or OU, will I likely have my entire tuition covered? My brother also goes to Wayne State right now and will still go there when I do as well.</p>