I’ve looked through the scholarships pages and found most of what they offer is non-out of state… I’m wondering if I can expect to get any good amount of money outside the Gold National one (that only pays for oos tuition…) I’m seriously considering going but I’m not sure how much I’ll be able to afford without anything big from the University.
I’m already in as a Chemical Engineering major/honors, but I don’t know if I can seriously expect any more help than I got.
So you got the OOS scholarship, Uminn is cheap, on a national scale, what is it you have already that is a better offer that would be comparable to Uminn for Chem eng?
My main state college competitor is UT Austin - it’s in-state, costs less even with the coverage of OOS tuition at Minnesota, and I have a chance at lots of need and merit-based aid. My parents are divorced and my Mom’s income is <$40k/yr, so I need all the help I can get, but it doesn’t seem like I could get that much at UMinn because of my OOS status ._.
You have UT for chem eng in your pocket already? Then really, you have a terrific win, why would Uminn even be in the running if you are guaranteed UT engineering?
Yeah- have to agree with Alfonsia. The difference between Texas and Minnesota undergrad ChEng programs is negligible and probable arguable as to which program is better. State funding for flagships are going to benefit state residents first in most cases, so with finances being that vital for you, I think your choice is clear.
Technically I don’t know my degree/honors yet (even though my stats say yes) for UT. I see what you mean anyways- I just like having more expanded options wherever possible. I have my heart set on an even higher tier university, but since I probably won’t get in, I’m not absolutely sold on any one of my lower choices.
Unless you’re an NMF finalist, Gold National is about as good as you can expect from Minnesota. With cost being such an issue, you may want to look at these threads:
It may be worth your while to consider just how much you’re willing to pay for a “higher tier”… perhaps you can meet your education needs for a lot less cost?
Good luck!
Unless you are seriously in jeopardy of not locking down engineering then UT has to be the winner, chem eng is not direct entry at the Uminn either, you enter after freshman year with a min gpa (? 3.2, not quite sure) so the common engineering entry program would be similar, no? As long as you lock in eng at UT (can’t see how you would miss out tn that)
HIgher tier for what? Name or major?
Higher tier meaning MIT and other likewise schools with robust engineering and need-based aid. As it turns out, I’d be paying less for places like MIT/Stanford/Caltech over 4 years than I would in 1 at Minnesota. UT is definitely looking far more favorable at this point, I’m just kind of disappointed I can’t seriously look at Minn because of financial issues.
@kiriii makes an interesting point and one that I’ve been noting from recent articles on the internet . . . the very most selective schools (probably within the top 20 in terms of selectivity) can actually be a lot more generous with institutional “need based” aid than other private or state institutions.
@mamelot - sure generous for the very few they accept. ;
@wayneandgarth, I suspect the much higher selectivity is very closely correlated with the size of the institution’s endowment. Harvard, to take an extreme example in terms of selectivity AND endowment, theoretically could quite easily fund full tuition and room and board for each of it’s 21,000 students (undergrad. AND grad.) every year . . . forever. Alternatively, Harvard theoretically could offer each Harvard student AND each UMTC student (grad and undergrad) a scholarship every year that is practically equal to the full cost of OOS tuition at the latter . . .forever. Harvard is probably a bit of an outlier, of course, but it’s safe to say that these “top tier” institutions in general are dripping with moola.
@Mamelot It’s true! Every NPC I’ve used for the most selective schools have came up with extreme low values. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure I won’t get the choice to attend one of them - so I want to make sure I’m getting the best out of all my non-uber selective schools. 
Wow @kiriii we’re in almost the exact same situation lol. I’m also in Texas, and just found out I was accepted to UT chemE today, also a NMF so minnesota will be cheaper before need-based aid is in the picture. It’s a tough decision, but I’d rather live in Austin… just the cost that’s an issue. MIT was also my reach! Deferred EA, so we’ll see how that goes