<p>I've gotten a few small scholarships and am currently waiting to hear from National Merit and Toyota. Thing is, I need $18,000 in scholarships per year for my undergrad at SLU. I'm working on filling out a "special circumstances" request for more aid, but I don't know how much more I can get, because my parents' combined income is approximately $100,000. Obviously, the FAFSA interprets that to mean we have the money to pay for college, but we don't, since the FAFSA does not take into account a person's debt (this is where the request for more aid comes in). So, basically, I need to win some bigger scholarships. Any suggestions will be helpful!</p>
<p>If your parents aren’t willing/able to foot the bill, I’d look at a less expensive alternative.</p>
<p>Schools generally won’t favorably consider debt as a special circumstance (unexpected medical debt excepted) that warrants additional need-based aid. And relying on outside scholarships to pay for college for four years isn’t usually a good strategy. It’s difficult to get enough to cover the costs, and many aren’t renewable for subsequent years.</p>
<p>Well, some of the debt is from supporting my grandparents and uncle for many years. I’m not sure how much of an effect that would have on my financial aid, though, because we did not claim them as dependents. However, we did pay my grandfather’s medical expenses (which was a large amount of money). Also, in the past 6 years, we have had the cost of 3 funeral expenses. We also support my autistic cousin, who lives with us. In addition, my father studied to become a registered nurse, so we had tuition expenses. </p>
<p>SLU is the final decision. Because of my acceptance into their Med Scholars program, it shot to the top of the list. So, if I cannot get more aid, we will try to get loans for the rest of the money. </p>
<p>I’m just looking for scholarships so we don’t have to borrow that much in loans. I don’t expect to win all of my tuition through scholarships.</p>
<p>Check FastWeb-- create a profile and include the stuff you mentioned above (supporting grandparents, and an autistic cousiin, and father studied nursing). See what pops up-- there are probably some scholarships that target families with that have these sorts of special needs and expenses.</p>
<p>Well, I already use Fastweb, and I personally do not find it very useful. The filters work quite poorly, and I end up with a lot of scholarships that do not apply to me. Thanks for the suggestion, though. 
Does anybody know of any specific scholarships coming up?</p>
<p>Since most scholarships are for graduating seniors, what will you do next year? What does Med Scholars give you that you could not get on your own at a more reasonable cost? If you do have to borrow alot, what happens if you change your mind/major after 2 years?</p>
<p>Next year you could apply for the Tylenol scholarship (must be in college to apply):
[Tylenol.com</a> - The TYLENOL® Scholarship Winners](<a href=“http://tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc&s_kwcid=health%20scholarships|1523374013#]Tylenol.com”>http://tylenol.com/page.jhtml?id=tylenol/news/subptyschol.inc&s_kwcid=health%20scholarships|1523374013#)</p>
<p>Well, I have a 4-year scholarship from SLU. It’s just not enough. I’m hoping that after the first year or so, I can personally request more aid. Also, there are departmental scholarships for students that I can apply for.
Med Scholars gives me security. Essentially, I have already been accepted into SLU Med School. If I chose a more affordable college with a Pre-Med program, in 4 years I would be fighting against a sea of applicants for various medical schools across the country. I know someone who teaches at Wash U’s med school and was told that, any more, being accepted into med school is like winning the lottery. WashU, for example, does not give any preference to their own undergraduate students. It’s practically like starting over. This way, I am guaranteed a spot.
And I’m not going to change my major. I’ve wanted to do this my entire life.
Thanks for the Tylenol one. I’ll be sure to apply next year! :)</p>
<p>The government offers a SMART scholarship for students in science and technology. You would owe the government time year for year–not military. That might slow your move to medical school. You can go to Google and read some of the particulars.</p>
<p>Thanks for that suggestion. I researched it, but it’s not for me.
Any other ideas?</p>
<p>Are you sure with existing debt your parent’s can even qualify for loans that size? Your own loans will usually get bigger each year. Between undergrad and med school you will end up with loans that will deeply impact you life for many, many years. Most doctors don’t make huge dollars today, have you thought this all through?</p>
<p>One of my business colleagues went to 3 years of medical school and quit, then when for an MBA. His wife finished med school and is a doctor, but only working part time. They are 40 years old with preteens, and are still paying off their debt.</p>
<p>Any more suggestions?</p>
<p>Buuuuuummmmmmmmp.</p>
<p>Bumping again.</p>
<p>Have you talked to the financial aid department at the college? I would let them know of the circumstances and see if there is anything they can do. Are you able to participate in the work study program? That usually gives an extra $2000 or more. Have you applied to all the scholarships and been considered for them at this college? I think if you have been given a guarantee to their med school and you know you definitely are going to stick it out, then you should stay there. It is extremely competitive as you know and you have already been accepted. That is excellent. Don’t stress about the years down the road. Take one year at a time. Get through this year and as time goes on your parents may be able to contribute more. Once you become a doctor, if you agree to work in areas that are underrepresented for health care, you can get loan forgiveness also. Good luck!</p>
<p>There are few financial aid miracles. You’ve gotten a lot of good advice. Perhaps you just can’t afford this school and need to work and reapply.</p>
<p>Maybe your high school has a career center that can give you some helpful pointers. But hmom’s right in that you are unlikely to get a significant additional amount of money at this point.</p>
<p>Exactly what hmom5 said. You’ve started/bumped several threads about this topic. You’ve gotten great advice. There is no magic answer that people are keeping from you. It’s time to move onto Plan B.</p>
<p>Well, Plan B was to try and find more scholarships. I’m looking into the Tylenol, Goldwater, and Mensa scholarships. I’m not looking for a magic answer- I was just trying to find out the names of some specific scholarships available to undergraduate students.
I am grateful for all the advice, and I will stop bumping all the threads.
Thanks for the help.</p>