<p>That is what she said. After highschool, I am off on my own. We are from a low income family, and I guess my dad is having troubles at work or something... Essentially my mom said that she can't pay for anything and that I am on my own... At least I am getting a fee waiver and chances are, because of my GPA, I won't be getting any merit scholarships. Unless their are schools that are willing to give scholarships based on test scores, I am bummed out right there. Hoping to get institutional grants and work study and then loan everything else out... Is that a terrible idea? I am applying to a multitude of schools so I can fish out the best financial aid (I know I should not really be picking schools because of their money, but beggars can't be choosers... They are all great institutions.) This is a bummer because I have to go to grad school then get a post doc position at a research institution then try getting tenure as a professor. Where do I have time to pay off the loans? Can't get a job in school because I am doing probably the toughest majors.</p>
<p>I think you’re wise to cast a wide net and start researching aid now. Have you estimated your EFC yet with one of the online calculators? If 0, you would be eligible for a full Pell grant ($5550) and I believe that CA still has a decent state aid program as well. Given your long-term plans and family situation, you’ll certainly want to keep your debt close to Stafford limits. Although you may not want to work a lot of hours, even students in tough majors can usually work 6-8 hours a week without difficulty and, of course, you can work during summers. Are you working now?</p>
<p>Yes, the EFC is 0. Now, I do not have a job, because I really have nothing to offer to any company. Tons of my friends are having trouble getting jobs too. And school is starting in 2 weeks. I will need to get a job next summer, preferably with an engineering firm. Now, that is being idealistic, a freshman in college rarely would get a job just like that. I was planning on doing research too. </p>
<p>Personally, I rather stay out of California, given the whole situation. I know, beggars can’t be choosers, but I am mostly applying to small out of state private schools, hoping they have better endowments. My mentality was price tag does not matter when in comes to education, but when my mom told me that today, it really hit me.</p>
<p>Community college is not really a choice because, chances are my AP Calc scores will let me skip the first semester of calculus and the community colleges do not offer anything higher than that. I would not need GEs either.</p>
<p>Oh and do not worry about the applications… I have already 15 or so essays I am working on right now…</p>
<p>Also, the recent grad school loan cuts are going to hurt me in 5 years, but might help me in the short run with the PELL grants.</p>
<p>Well, the first issue is that unless you have a co-signer who is credit-worthy, you will not be able to take loans beyond Stafford loans. ($5500 for freshmen, $6500 for sophomores and $75000 for juniors & seniors.) That means you should NOT planning on financing your education thru loans. You’ll also probably be eligible for a Pell grant if your EFC is low enough.</p>
<p>Second, I don’t think there are any merit scholarships based solely upon test scores alone, except perhaps for NMF. Do you qualify for NMF?</p>
<p>Third, don’t assume that because your major is “tough” you won’t have time to have a part time job. Many, many students with tough majors (and even tough double majors) find the time to work 8-10 hours/week. There are even data that show that students who work part time do better in school academically than students who don’t. An added plus, a part time job gives you work experience which you can later use when seeking your first internship or real job. (Or it might even help you get a research lab position in undergrad. PIs like to see that the students they let into their labs have a strong work ethic.) Another plus, it helps establish an employment track record for you…just in case, you know, the professor gig doesn’t work out.</p>
<p>You can’t just “hope” you’ll get enough financial aid for college. You need to develop a workable, realistic plan you can afford–including the possibility of starting your college education at a community college.</p>
<p>NMF, no, that is the PSAT one right? Oh that means I guess no social life and sleep for me in college…</p>
<p>Whether or not your parents can provide any money toward your education they will still need to provide financial information for the FAFSA in order for you to qualify for federal aid. Make sure they understand that.</p>
<p>Yes, National Merit is determined by the PSAT you take Junior year in HS.</p>
<p>Why don’t you just apply to schools that meet full need? If your EFC is 0 you’ll get a full ride. What’s the problem?</p>
<p>Sent from my Vortex using CC App</p>
<p>So what happens in the same situation where parents aren’t willing to contribute squat yet they combined make 150k+ .-.?</p>
<p>Those full need schools tend to be top 50. Now, if I do not have the GPA to get merit scholarships, what are my chances of getting into those schools? Honestly, it that was teh case, I would not be asking.</p>
<p>If your GPA is below the 3.7~3.75 area, you’d be in the bottom 25% of applicants for the majority of top 50 schools. So your chances are slim.
Given, your test scores are good (I saw in another post), but the GPA is sometimes the nail in the coffin.
Sorry, I hope this doesn’t sound mean.</p>
<p>You are putting the cart alittle bit ahead of the horse speculating about grad school, post doc etc. It’s all well and good but what you need to focus on now is finding a college you can afford. After California, look at WUE colleges and remember plenty of people attend all kinds of colleges everyday and get into great grad schools so worry about your first degree and where you can accomplish that financially. Also most likely you will work in college…many kids do, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Oh I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that it was only top schools that did that. I figured there were schools across the spectrum that met full need. Best of luck to you. You seem like a driven guy. I’m sure things will work out for the best. I know you said your GPA wasnt that high but if you come from a disadvantaged background you might want to look into Questbridge. I know you don’t think those kind of schools are in your range (maybe they’re not) but its a thought.</p>
<p>Sent from my Vortex using CC App</p>
<p>I guess I have nothing to lose with Questbridge. But I can’t put all my efforts into that. My GPA will greatly hinder me on there. But I qualify in every other section. I just have to win their hearts I guess.</p>
<p>An alternative is starting at a CCC which has matriculation agreements with the UCs and CSUs. That should be your fall back.</p>
<p>The UCs tend to meet need IF the student has a very low EFC as you do. You absolutely need to apply to several UCs…including UCR, UCMerced, and UCSC.</p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>You might also try some small privates that want more males.</p>
<p>Unfortunately the OP’s UC GPAs are both below 3.0.
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1189706-so-my-gpa-horrendous.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-admissions/1189706-so-my-gpa-horrendous.html</a></p>
<p>Well, I did meet with a small private school in Illinois. First, it is a great school and they are actively seeking out Californians and Asians. I fit those criteria. The admissions rep told me that the worst comes to worst, they will see my Senior year grades if my other grades are too low. I think I got the testing part in the bag though because they were fairly impressed with them.</p>
<p>I am still technically eligible for UC with my test scores, but that is still pushing it for UCSC or Riverside.</p>
<p>If you are wondering:</p>
<p>SAT
CR: 620
Math: 680
Writing: 600</p>
<p>ACT:
Comp: 32
English: 30
Math: 34
Reading: 32
Science: 30</p>
<p>I will be retaking the SAT, but I think ACT is fine. It is ridiculous to retake it IMHO. That is an average of 3.5 questions wrong per section. Psh, I am sick of all these tests…</p>
<p>If you have a 0 EFC, you probably qualify for a CalGrant which would pay full tuition (up to 10K or so) for a CSU or UC. </p>
<p>If I were you, I’d live at home and attend a CCC the first two years. BANK YOUR CALGRANT… you can apply for FAFSA and get awarded a CalGrant and NOT USE THE CG… but “bank it” in the system. That way, when you are a junior and transferred to a UC, you can then use the saved up “banked” CG monies AND draw upon the CG monies for your jr and sr year.</p>
<p>Note - you only get 4 years of CG. The clock ticks. So if you go to college anywhere and earn units, you burn up that year of eligibility. So claim your CG each year, “bank” it while in CCC, and then go to a UC.</p>
<p>Start talking to CCC transfer counselors who understand how this works!</p>
<p>If your GPA is sub 3.0, your chances at UCs is almost zero. Maybe UC Merced might accept you.</p>
<p>The best CSUs won’t likely accept you either with a sub 3.0 GPA. You need to include some of the lower CSUs like MB.</p>