My parents do not like it when I mention signing up for free/reduced lunch even though I have no doubt our family would qualify. My dad feels like it wouldn’t be right to apply, since we still manage to (barely) scrape by. My mom recently lost her job and my dad is now working more than ever before. I heard that colleges and summer programs take your financial status into account by looking at if you are on free/reduced lunch. Is there any other way I can qualify for fee waivers without directly signing up for free and reduced lunch? With my applications, testing for SAT/ACT and multiple AP exams in the next three years, I don’t think my parents would be able to afford all of it along with my twin’s. I would get a job, but my parents are against that too because of how hard it was for them growing up. I’m currently a Sophomore who knows she has a lot of time to figure out a plan, but I don’t want to be left with no options when the time comes.
These programs have federal guidelines, if you qualify you have a right to it until your financial situation improves. Use this to alleviate the financial burden on your parents and tell them the savings should go into a jar toward college. For a family of 4, it means 44,867$ income a year.
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-03-31/pdf/2015-07358.pdf
However, if your income falls into those guidelines, you’re automatically eligible even if you don’t eat at the school cafeteria and bring your own lunch - you just need to mention it to your guidance counselor.
See if your school has AVID, Upwards Bound, or TRIO; join one of those (they’ll prepare you to apply to college and will also result in automatic fee waivers.)
Look at Posse and Questbridge. Be aware of what they want in the juniors they select and strive to achieve that. Questbridge means a 4-year, full ride scholarship to one of the nation’s top schools so it’s well worth thinking about. Posse is another scholarship program for lower-income high achievers where you form a group, are mentored, etc.
Focus on your school work and test scores, but start on EC’s. Those are a key differentiator for top schools. Having a job for 12-15+ hours a week is also seen as a “strong EC” since you hav to demonstrate adult qualities.
You can borrow “How to be a HS superstar” by Cal Newport or “Make colleges want you” to get ideas.
You could find the total the testing costs, that alone could change their minds.
My GC told me about 80% of colleges will waive your fee, during a financial hardship, if you ask. Maybe you could mention you were eligible, but your parents were against it.
APs are still $53 with fee reductions.
@MYOS1634 @newjerseygirl98 Thank you guys so much! You wouldn’t believe how much this stressed me out. I’ll definitely follow all of your recommendations. 