Should I apply?

Paying for College Access Programs (Questbridge, Posse)
1

Hi everyone! I’m wondering if I should apply for this program or if I am eligible. Questbridge says the income is under $60,000 but my family makes under $70,000.

It also says that most people are first-gen (!), but my dad has a PhD and my mom has a Masters (my mom recently got her Masters from the state school since she immigrated). My dad and mom are separated, my dad lives in another country. I’m not sure if they will ask for my father’s income since he is non-contributing. My mom makes $70,000 as a single parent in a household of 5 (me, my sister, brother, mom, and grandfather). Also, I have two younger siblings so there’s the burden of college tuition.

Also, I go to a private school but on a merit scholarship. I’m not sure if the private school will factor into being ineligible.

Here’s my academic info:
Grades- decent, all A’s
SAT- 2200/ PSAT 215
SAT II - Math II 770, Chem 710
Participation and Leadership roles in STEM, Science Fairs (contact professors to intern), Instrument Club, Model UN

2

Hi! I would recommend you apply anyway. At the very least it won’t hurt you to try, though I your income and the education level of your parents might count against you here. If your family experiences some unique hardship despite the higher income though, be sure to write about that. I was towards the higher end of the income bracket (near 60k) and I became a finalist, and I owe it to my essay, I think, because I wrote about growing up low income, about my parents’ immigration here and the work they took on to make ends meet, and how it’s helped me grow.

3

I know that this is old-ish but hope this helps,

  1. The income might be considered qualified because of household size and so many dependents
  2. For the partner schools, they all require non-custodial information, even though the father doesn't contribute. All schools that require the CSS Profile do, unless you apply for a waiver. A waiver is not granted on their lack of desire to pay for you, or lack of contribution to the household. But it may be granted based on estrangement. This will be the same problem for regular applications unless you apply to FAFSA only colleges.
  3. I don't know if parent's education is considered strongly
  4. Future costs for other children are not considered for financial aid purposes at any college. Only current college students are.
  5. Attending boarding school on scholarship does not disqualify you.
  6. academics look good