Boring Strategies for Affordable Colleges
If you are told there is no money, or you don’t know how much money, or there is a limited amount of money you need to choose colleges that are affordable for you family. For your parents, it used to be possible to work your way through college. This is no longer the case
Financial Need
If your family has financial need (according to FAFSA/CSS, not what you think!), you can get need-based grants.
• Look at Net Price Calculators on colleges to see if you would get need based financial aid.
• Apply to Colleges that meet Full need
Merit
Another way to get scholarship is through merit scholarships. Merit scholarships are used to attract strong students to a college. Ivy League schools do not give out merit scholarships because all students are strong that go there.
- Look for scholarships
a. Apply to colleges where your stats are significantly above average to get merit scholarships
b. Look for colleges with auto-scholarship based on gpa/sat http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ - Study for SAT on Khan Academy to increase your SAT score
Lower Cost Schools
Another way to save money on colleges is look for colleges with a lower sticker price. Also you can get credits for almost free in HS and then use them in college and attend for fewer years.
• Look for cheaper schools. In-state public schools are usually much cheaper than private/out of state schools
• Look to get as many college credits as you can in HS.
o Take AP or IB classes and do well on the AP/IB tests so you can get college credit. Find colleges that give extra credit for IB (e.g., SUNY Binghamton). If you have enough you may be able to graduate early. *Unless you want to go to medical school. Medical school don’t want you to fulfill the requirements of Bio, Chem, Org Chem, Physics with AP.
o Your state may have a “running start” or “dual enrollment” program where you can take college courses for free in HS
• Go to community college for two years, and then transfer to a state school