<p>My parents and I have just recently had an interview/sale session with a representative from a local Scholarship/Financial Aid service. The premise is that you pay for the service, and they require you to take a "long and comprehensive" survey in which you let them know all of your activities/information/check things that apply to you. Then they send you a report on every scholarship that you apply for, their requirements, and the deadline for the particular scholarship. They also do a lot of the paperwork for you.</p>
<p>My parents were immediately sold by the testimonials, and purchased the service. However, I was wondering if the posters on CC thought that Scholarship/Financial Aid services were worth the money and what their experiences are with similar programs.</p>
<p>SUMMARY: Are scholarship services worth paying for, and what are your experiences with similar services?</p>
<p>There are so may ways to find out scholarship info that are FREE. Would never pay a service. I’ve seen people post that they paid more than they ever received.</p>
<p>AND…the best scholarships are from the SCHOOLS that offer them. If you list your stats here (GPA and test scores - including SAT breakdown), we can tell you which schools will give you scholarships…for FREE.</p>
<p>*Hey, I’d just like an insight into my chances going in as a finance major.
I’m a Hispanic male.</p>
<p>Weighted Gpa: 100.5
Class rank: 18/508 (top 4%)
Sat Score: 2,300
Extra Curricular: National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, not really much else…
Predicted Act: 33-34ish
Ap classes: I’ll have taken or currently been enrolled in 11 Ap classes, at the time of my application I’ll have passed 4 with 5’s and 1 with a 4.</p>
<p>Also I’m a Commended NMS if that means anything.*</p>
<p>OK…this is like shooting fish in a barrel.</p>
<p>With your stats, you’ll likely have no problem getting merit scholarships at…</p>
<p>USC
Vandy
Wash U
Santa Clara
UMich - Ross
Indiana - Kelley
lots of mid-tiers</p>
<p>Don’t give these people a dime…you don’t need them.</p>
<p>Don’t forget to apply for scholarships at HSF…there are a few schools that might offer you full tuition (not full ride) if you’re interested…based on being hispanic and your grades. ASU & U of Arizona. Not sure what you’re interested in.</p>
<p>Also I’m going to the University of Texas at Austin.</p>
<p>I’m totally lost with all this scholarship/financial aid business…I know it might be located somewhere on this forum, but can somebody give me a general starting point?</p>
<p>Since you’re a minority with high grades, do a search for hispanic scholarships, I wouldn’t be surprised if you could find something easily. Good luck!</p>
<p>Apply to some of the schools that I listed above.</p>
<p>What is your likely major?</p>
<p>If you also need some matches/safeties, we can tell you more schools.</p>
<p>BTW…are you a likely NMSF? What was your PSAT?</p>
<p>UT-Austin seems to have moved away from its merit scholarships. So, do you know if that school is affordable? Will your parents pay full freight? </p>