Alex, you can go back into FAFSA after it processes in a few days and you can add more schools if you need to.
It’s good that you are looking at options.
@thumper1 that is correct
@AlexTrebek how does one pay a mortgage on $750,000 when one has an income of only $51,000 a year?
Something isn’t right.
Maybe he took the loan from his pension to cover the payments for the refi/home equity loan on the house??
I know many CC posters will disagree, but I believe OOS publics are the worst choices. Whatever the level of student, you pay much more for the same thing. Is OSU really any better than Birmingham or Stony Brook? And most flagships give admission advantages to instate applicants. So an OOS student will pay more while being near the top academically, while at LACs the opposite is true, as the best students are most likely to get merit. (Alabama and a few others are exceptions).
Tufts and other privates (and some publics) require the CSS profile, which does consider home ownership and equity. I’m not sure how the OP’s family’s unusual home financial situation will play out there.
The Profile form asks about primary home ownership and equity, but different Profile schools treat primary home equity differently, including some that disregard it completely, just like FAFSA.
This student has limited options if his family can’t help pay for college.
He was asking if he could put schools on FAFSA before applying. He wasn’t even planning on putting any NYS schools on the FAFSA.
I told him he should because he might qualify for NYS grant.
After finding out more info about his stats and family income and debt situation, we were trying to give suggestions for schools where he might be able to get full tuition.
SUNY’s if he is in top 10% and qualifies for STEM scholarship (full tuition)
Howard where his stats should get him full tuition or more, but he has to apply asap
OSU was suggested because of their Morrill scholarship, which might cover up to cost of attendance
OP is slso pursuing Questbridge match I think.
The family can pay $0-$1000, he can take a $5500 loan, maybe work in summers, where do you suggest he go for $10,000 a year? If he applies to all of the above, including a commutable SUNY, he should have an affordable option, if nothing else works out.
Alex, I think you should have your HS send your transcript to OSU and Howard this week.
Also order you scores to be sent now! And get started on the common app, not sure if there is an essay required.
The reason being the deadline for OSU is Nov 1 and everything needs to be received by then. For Howard the scholarships are given out first come first served.
If you don’t apply in time, those opportunities will be gone. This is keeping your options open.
Decisions where to attend can be made later, when all offers from SUNYs, OSU, Howard are in, or if you get a Questbridge match.
http://undergrad.osu.edu/apply/freshmen-columbus/apply-step-by-step
http://odi.osu.edu/msp/future-students/application-process.html
^Applications instructions for OSU admissiin and Morrill Scholarship Program
https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match/early-application-policy
^Questbridge rules seem to say that you can apply to SUNYs, OSU and Howard
Please correct me if you know otherwise
If you do get matched through Questbridge and get a full scholarship that would be like an ED agreement, and you would then have to withdraw all other applications.
But I think sending these other applications now would be worth it imo.
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
^according to this info (have to check if still up to date) you should qualify for full tuition and room with ACT 30
I was trying to find options for OP where he could potentially get at least full tuition, and in this general geographic region.
Family income of $51,000 or more would only qualify OP for a partial Pell grant, maybe partial TAP.
Family can’t really afford to pay anything.
OP indicated that Stonybrook might be in communting distance, but still costs about $9,000 for tuition and fees, if OP does not qualify for or wants to enter into requirements for STEM scholarship.
I am not saying OP should go to OSU if it costs more. I am saying take a chance and apply to see what you might get.
Same with Howard. If he can attend for almost free, that would be better, right?
He cannot count on the Questbridge match either, these other schools provide options for him.
So I’m gonna be applying to 12 QB schools since I made it past the first round of elimination, and I’m going to do early action to SUNY Buffalo and OSU since that QB provision allows it (thanks @mommdc ) Long story short, unfortunately it’s too late for my school to submit my materials for the Howard app for early action so I’ll just do regular decision right away at Howard and hope I can get a scholarship still.
Thanks for the help everybody