Specifically speaking, I ran net price calculators with all of my updated information. Some schools give me a net price of 2x as much as my family is willing to pay.
Should I still apply there? I am geniunely wanting to do so, but is it even worth it, if we can’t ultimately afford it?
If you aren’t up for some special scholarship that would make these places affordable, there isn’t any reason to spend your time and money on applications. Save that money to buy some of your books next year when you are studying at one of the places that you can afford.
@happymomof1 Would you say that the NPC is fairly similar to my expected given aid, provided all the info I give is accurate on both the NPC and the CSS Profile?
@conflictedkang If the schools are meet-need only and do not offer merit scholarships, then there is no pt. You’d be spending around $100 on applying only to end up being unable to attend. If they offer merit, they might be worth applying to. With our kids, we sit and go through the CDS information and see how their personal profile matches the school’s. If they are going to be solidly near the top 25%, then they apply pursuing merit.
I want a Ferrari but I can’t afford it. Should I fill out the forms for financing only to be rejected?
You only get like $5500/year for loans plus work study($2-3000/year) if you are able to get it plus financial aid plus merit or other scholarship.
Go to the university that you can go to that is within your familys realistic budget. Even if that means going to community College for a year or two to save up for the 4 year college.
Are your parents divorced? Do they own a business or are they self employed? Does your family own real estate other than your home?
Are you a US citizen or permanent resident?
How much can your family pay annually?
What is their annual income?
What are your stats?
While you may have these on other threads, it would be easier if you put this info on each new thread you start.
No, and here’s why.
You have a finite amount of time to fill out apps and write essays. You have a finite amount of money to spend on college apps, sending scores, sending CSS Profile. Why waste your limited resources on dead ends.
Sure, pick ONE of these impossible schools and apply …just to see.
But truly, put your efforts into identifying affordable schools and spending time/money on THOSE apps.
What is your school list (minus the unaffordable ones)?
What is the one unaffordable school that you absolutely still want to apply to?
Just one other thing. My daughter got accepted to her number one school. Without strong merit we couldn’t afford it. It sucks as a parent to tell your kids… “Heh great job at getting accepted but we can’t afford to send you there” . It’s heartbreaking actually.
You need to check to see if you will qualify for Cal Grants or Blue and gold Promise. Assets may be an issue.
If you will qualify, then again, the lower UCs would be your best bet.
Have you visited any of them???
Did you run the NPC’s for the California UC’s and Cal States? If you are within commutable distance and are lucky enough to be accepted to UCLA, then you significantly reduce your expenses. Also commuting to your local Cal State will add to their affordability.
If you are able to get Regents at UCR, UCM or even UCD, then this will also help decrease your costs so targeting these schools will help your financial situation. As stated above, if you qualify for Cal Grants and the Blue and Gold Promise as a California applicant, these could reduce your costs.
UC Regents Scholarships and amounts:
Amount: Awards vary by campus and are not transferable if you transfer to another UC campus.
Eligible Students: Entering freshman or transfer student who demonstrate academic excellence (based upon GPA, standardized test scores, and other academic criteria) along with personal accomplishments. Must be a US Citizen, Permanent Resident or CA Dream Act Student. Students must be enrolled full time and maintain a 3.25 GPA in order to continue receiving the scholarship.
@Gumbymom Are these Regents Scholarships given per year? Or are they split within four years of your attendance?
The amount is per year but you need to maintain the required GPA and enrolled full time as stated in the above post, so UCR is a great target school.
UCR also offers a $5000K/year scholarship (Chancellor’s) and a $2500K/year scholarship (Highlander) to qualified applicants. You will find about Regents and the other scholarships at the time of your admission decision.
Re: #9
The Regents scholarship at UCB has a variable amount, and may be higher for those with FA need (historically replacing the student loan and work expectation, which is typically higher than $2,500 in regular FA offers).
Any college which is not affordable on need based FA needs to be checked for large enough merit scholarships. If these exist, then the college can be applied to as a reach or high reach (assuming competitive scholarships). If not, applying would be a waste of time and money.
I think he should really be gunning for one of those lower UCs for their Regents. Not only would the money be helpful, but the Regents Scholars get other perks, like priority registration…which is a biggie.
Combining Regents with a Cal Grant would mean very little OOPocket costs! Parents might then be able to help with med school costs.
@mom2collegekids I am definitely applying to the lower ranked UCs: Davis, Riverside, and Santa Cruz. Not too sure about Merced, yet.
I also wasn’t able to answer your question about which “unaffordable schools” I am applying to since I was replying from school earlier this morning.
What is your school list (minus the unaffordable ones)?
Williams ($18,000)
Grinnell ($23,000)
Carleton ($23,000)
Bates ($21,000)
University of Richmond ($21,000)
Hamilton (18,000)
Case Western (25,000)
Muhlenberg (expecting merit; but $20,000 solely need based)
My parents can pay $15,000 a year to $20,000. Most likely 15,000 per year. I plan on getting a job (hopefully medically related), so that would bring in another $3000 if I work summers too. Likely would be in debt for at a maximum of 30k, perhaps less. after 4 years
What is the one unaffordable school that you absolutely still want to apply to?
If I had to pick one, it would be Vassar.
But here’s the complete list:
Vassar ($31,000)
USC ($37,000) → Parents are making me apply here since it is very close and commuting could reduce this cost significantly, if I get in.
Brandeis ($32,000)
I wanted to do research and aim for a MD/PhD program, potentially. Will these listed LACs, especially the smaller / rural ones like Hamilton, Bates, Grinnell, Muhlenberg, and Carleton allow me to gain a competitive number of research hours.
Or would it be more advantageous to do research at an UC, if I am aiming for MD/PHD? Advantegous in terms of more higher level, more ability to get hours, and more pubs? I fear that I won’t get a high, hands–on research position at the UCS because of grad students, but will it be better for MD/PHD competitiveness? I know at LACs I will get good positions, but would that limit my competitiveness comapred to other applicants from actual research unis?
Thank you!!!
@Knowsstuff Are loans caped at $5500 per year? Or is this federal, non-interest loans that build interest when you graduate school? I’m not too sure how much I would have to pay back if I borrow 20k for undergrad, but decide to do medical school. Will it compound exponentially?
Also, I’m sorry to hear that about your daughter. I hope it worked out for her at the end. If you don’t mind me asking, which school was her top and how long did it take her to accept reality to look at more affordable ones?
Are your parents divorced? Do they own a business or are they self employed? Does your family own real estate other than your home?
No to all of these.
Are you a US citizen or permanent resident?
Citizen
How much can your family pay annually?
$15,000 to $20,000
What is their annual income?
AGI: 63,800. Gross: $71,000
Assets (Savings+Checkings): 110,000
What are your stats?
Ranked 9th in a class of 800
3.975 UW; 10 APs
1430 SAT
CA
EFC (FAFSA): $12,000
CA resident
Live near UCLA
Premed