<p>Family income last year: 198k
Family income this year: 220-230k
Family members: 3 people</p>
<p>BUT before 2011 it was more around 80k and got so low as 60k a year. So we aren't particularly wealthy in the total amount of money we've saved over the years, but my parents have told me that they can pay for my college tuition upwards of 200k for the four years. I feel guilty taking their money though after seeing them work so hard for it, but I also don't see the point in applying for needs based scholarships if I'm not going to get anything. </p>
<p>What are my chances of getting any money whatsoever? Tell me if you need more information.</p>
<p>Your chances of getting need based aid are slim to none, even at the most generous schools. However, depending on your SAT or ACT score and GPA, you might be eligible for merit aid at some schools. This is not dependent on your family income and would ease the costs for your parents.</p>
<p>Thanks Unfortunately I’m not a US citizen, so National merit aside there are very few merit based scholarships I can apply for outside of what the school offers I am grateful too. It’s ridiculous how hard my parents work for me.</p>
<p>I think your family is in a good situation, because in a way they are “used to” living on $60,000-$80,000/year and haven’t had time to get to where all their expenses match the higher income. If they try keeping expenses the same for the next four years, there should be lots left over for college tuition and expenses.</p>
<p>Run the family numbers through the NPC and see if you come up with anything. Also make sure that any merit aid does not require a FAFSA. You may want to borrow, and your parents may too, so filing a FAFSA even if you check the “no” box for aid is something you can do.</p>
<p>Some colleges will require the completion of their required financial aid application forms even for merit awards. Just check to be sure you submit everything your colleges require for merit aid consideration.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Some colleges will give you $1000 just for completing FAFSA by a certain deadline. Oglethorpe University in Atlanta is one, and I can’t remember the other. Check the websites of the colleges on your list. </p></li>
<li><p>When my D applied to college, people on CC advised us that some colleges will not grant financial aid in the future to students who didn’t apply for financial aid their freshman year, so I called each college on her list to determine its policies. Each of her eight colleges said that they would consider an application in a future year if our circumstances changed. </p></li>
<li><p>Each college now has a Net Price Calculator online that you can use to determine whether you might be eligible for any need-based financial aid. This information will be more accurate that the opinions of strangers.</p></li>
<li><p>I asked a particularly friendly admissions counselor at one of my son’s potential colleges whether he would think anything was amiss if someone with a high income applied for financial aid. He said no, every family is just trying to make college affordable, and he encourages everyone to apply for aid. It might not be granted, but he wouldn’t think anything less of you for applying.</p></li>
<li><p>I wouldn’t worry about the second sentence of post #2. It sounds to me that you appreciate your situation and are just trying to do the right thing.</p></li>
<li><p>If you are looking into merit aid, be sure to note that some colleges have earlier deadlines to be considered for merit aid than their regular admissions deadlines.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>7.With a slightly more complicated situation than yours apparently is, we decided not to apply for need-based financial aid for my D when she applied several years ago. Most of her colleges required the CSS Profile, which costs money to submit and asks very detailed questions that would take time and effort (and perhaps the services of an accountant) to answer. Your family should make the decision that makes sense for you, and you’re doing the right thing by seeking more information!</p>
<p>Wendeli, check the policies for National Merit. It is my understanding that if you don’t fall into one of the categories that will allow you to file the FAFSA (and if you are a true international applicant, you can’t), then you also aren’t eligible for the NM scholarships.</p>
<p>I’m a permanent resident and since I’ve been in the US for 13 years and have little to no chance of surviving in China I think I fall under the planning to apply for citizenship category, lol. I just haven’t done it because my parents are reluctant to do so, so I’m waiting till I get a bit older. Makes applying to college a lot harder though And thank you Schoalade for the info. My mom is filling out the tax part of FAFSA right now. We’ll probably apply for a loan considering the low interests they offer.</p>
<p>If you are a legal permanent resident then there are very few merit scholarships that you would be barred from applying for. Almost all scholarships like that treat legal residents and citizens the same. Where did you get the notion that your only option was National Merit?</p>
<p>There are several threads in this forum on the topic of guaranteed merit-based aid. Read through them and see if you can find something that would work for you.</p>
I hope they appreciate that you understand what it takes for them to be successful! At the same time remember that if you are getting aid it comes from money that many other people have worked equally hard to earn, and have either contributed through taxes or the charity of their hearts for strangers to get an education. At least our parents are giving for someone they know!</p>
Unfortunately I’m not a US citizen, so National merit aside there are very few merit based scholarships I can apply for outside of what the school offers 
I am grateful too. It’s ridiculous how hard my parents work for me.</p>
</p>
And thank you Schoalade for the info. My mom is filling out the tax part of FAFSA right now. We’ll probably apply for a loan considering the low interests they offer.</p>