<p>Ontocollegegal, forgive me for not going back to check through the 4 pages of this thread, but have you done any college visits yet? They really helped my daughter focus on what she wanted, rather than what sounded nice. The same thing happened to me when I was looking at elementary schools for her: various educational philosophies sounded really interesting, but seeing a school in action helped me figure out what would work for her.</p>
<p>The OOS students at public schools either have super stats (so earn merit aid) or can afford to pay. And those who can afford to pay aren’t necessarily “ultra wealthy” – heck, most of their “wealth” may be in 529 accounts they have been stowing savings in since the kids were born. Just saying that some people come into this with quite a bit of savings earmarked already for college.</p>
<p>At private schools, some have great stats (and get good merit aid), some come from families that can afford to pay, and some are from low income families and get need based aid (but often are taking out significant loans along with that need based aid).</p>
<p>As others have mentioned, running the net price calculators is important.</p>
<p>As written above, you need to define exactly how much you are ready, willing, and able to pay, for how many years, and under what conditions. Some parents set the limit at four years. Others go for five but only for those programs that normally require five. Some parents require that a certain GPA be maintained, or will only pay for certain majors. You also need to be clear on the amount of loans you expect/are willing for your kids to take on, how much you expect your kids to contribute through money they earn in the school year and during vacations. Once you know all of this information, make sure that your kids understand it as well. That way they will be prepared to look for places that will work within the overall budget.</p>
<p>If everyone is very clear about the money issue, as the acceptances and aid packages begin to roll in, the unaffordable offers can go directly into the recycling bin with no tears and no regrets.</p>
<p>Since your D is a senior now, why not “test” what you can pay out now out of current income NOW, by setting aside $XXXX each month to see if you can get to that $XXk mark each year. </p>
<p>If you find that you can find that extra money each month in the budget then super. If you find that you can only find half of it, then it’s good to learn that now.</p>
<p>I’ve heard this recommendation before and I think it’s a good one. For those that can make it work, it’s a relief…and to those who find out that their expectations were too optomistic, it’s a lifesaver to learn that in advance.</p>
<p>It’s not just what you think you can afford to pay. It is also how much you think that number could stretch, if she gets a super opportunity and it’s just a matter of a few thousand more. I don’t believe in robbing the family for some particular name school, don’t believe in “dream” schools. I just mean, think about the reasonable stretch. What if your net is 17 or 18, not 14? </p>
<p>You have got to run the NPCs. Our income is higher and our situation is a little different, because we do have tuition remission (DH employed by a U,) which is seen as an additional “resource.” Ie, it doesn’t come off our EFC. But, after the student loans were subtracted, we ended up with a surprisingly doable number, from a college that “meets full need.”</p>
<p>I find this thread particularly relevant to our situation. We are also a single-income family with five children (oldest is 17, youngest is 3). I have mostly homeschooled my kids since oldest D was born. With an income of $105K, we are barely able to meet monthly expenses considering groceries, clothing, insurance, automobile and home maintenance, etc. I shop sales, thrift stores, etc. whenever possible. Although I maintain my pharmacy license through CE, I could not practice without some serious shadowing full-time, which would take me away from the younger kids who still homeschool. My high-schoolers attend cyberschool and dual enrollment classes at local CC.</p>
<p>I am trying to figure out how to make enough income from home to help pay for college for our first, who is a senior and looking for nursing or pharmacy major opportunities in PA.</p>
<p>At any rate, $105K may sound like a lot, but with five children, there’s very little fat on the bones of our budget. We eat little meat, have mostly hand-me-down clothes, drive older vehicles, etc.</p>
<p>I’m looking at state schools for nursing for D. She has a 3.91, is trying very hard to increase her ACT from a 27 composite to over 30, to open up scholarship opportunities. I’m trying very hard to get over the fact that some private schools might cost less (after aid) than publics.</p>
<p>I hope everything works out well for your daughter and your overall situation. I feel your pain (smile).</p>
<p>I’m looking at state schools for nursing for D. She has a 3.91, is trying very hard to increase her ACT from a 27 composite to over 30, to open up scholarship opportunities. I’m trying very hard to get over the fact that some private schools might cost less (after aid) than publics.</p>
<p>What state are you in? There are many, many fine nursing programs in state schools and even CC’s. It sounds like your D wants a BSN…not just a RN thru a CC? </p>
<p>What state schools are near your home? Do any have BSN programs? Are they impacted?</p>
<p>Yes, if your D gets her ACT up to a 30, she may have more options, but I caution you that merit is going to cover “need” first…and since the merit won’t be a “free ride” then how will the REMAINING costs get covered? </p>
<p>For instance, if a school costs about $33k per year, and she gets a $20k merit scholarship that covers all of tuition, then how would she pay the remaining $13k? She could take a $5500 loan, but she’d still have about $8k to pay. </p>
<p>If she gets an ACT 30, then she should apply to UAB…they have excellent nursing and a med school on campus, so lots of experience there. With her current score, she would get “some” money, but probably not enough. </p>
<p>Also look at what Ole Miss would give her.</p>
<p>If worst came to worst, then she could do the CC route, work for a bit, and then do what others do…get their BSN later.</p>
<p>Your D also needs to take the SAT…she may do better on that. Merit is usually based ONLY on the M+CR…so just study those two sections.</p>
<p>From other posts it appears the OP is from PA. The “true” state schools in PA are not badly priced and I know some have nursing.</p>
<p>OP of this thread is from NJ, I believe.</p>
<p>I am from PA. Sorry for the confusion.</p>
<p>If she pursues nursing, yes, she is absolutely looking for a BSN at a minimum and probably an MSN. There are great state school options such as West Chester U., Bloomsburg U., and Shippensburg (pre-nursing) with tuition well under $10K/year, all state schools with excellent NCLEX pass rates and solid nursing probrams.</p>
<p>If she pursues pharmacy, that’s more expensive and she has fewer low-cost options in-state. She could take pre-pharm at Ship for $6k/year, then transfer to Pharmacy program for the remaining four years, at a staggering $25K+ yearly tuition. Interestingly, I noticed UWV has a very attractive OOS tuition. She has not overlooked schools such as Cedar Crest College, which is generous with scholarship money, but still has a large tuition gap for us to fill.</p>
<p>I don’t mean to hijack the post, however. I truly feel the OP’s frustration and wish to contribute my experience as well. She is not alone.</p>
<p>00flow, where can i get info on rankings that you refer to? That info would help me tremendously…thanks! Will need to check out OSU!</p>
<p>Interestingly, I noticed UWV has a very attractive OOS tuition.</p>
<p>Are you sure that you’re looking at the yearly rate? From what you’re comparing with, UWV would be twice as much.</p>
<p>one can really raise the ACT score through practice. both of my kids started at around the 28-29 range, IIRC, and ended up at 31 (1st kid) and 32 after a couple of retakes. No expensive prep course, just lots of practice tests - both from prep books and old tests that you can get from your hs and through the ACT people. the science score can be raised dramatically by using the right strategy.</p>
<p>Trying to find their ACT usernames/passwords so I can post the real data, but no luck so far.:-(</p>
<p>^^ Same here. S started out with a 31 ACT. Did practice tests using the big red book over the summer and raised his score to a 34, which made a huge difference in scholarship opportunities. It takes dedication but it works.</p>