<p>Part of the issue seems to be your idea of the “elitist bias” on CC. Focusing only on expensive CTCL private schools (when you are not wealthy) at the expense of affordable instate community colleges and instate publics seems no less “elitist.” Georgia seems to have many very good instate options and ignoring the reality of the SAT and GPA for instate admissions does not seem to have helped you with your instate safety results. You are still very young and I wish you all the best.</p>
<p>Holy Cross DOES promise to meet 100% of demonstrated need, however. It’s just that that may not correspond favorably to FAFSA EFC since they also use Profile.</p>
<p>[Financial</a> Aid | Admissions | College of the Holy Cross](<a href=“http://admissions.holycross.edu/financial-aid]Financial”>http://admissions.holycross.edu/financial-aid)</p>
<p>“Holy Cross is one of a select group of colleges and universities that accept students regardless of their ability to pay (“need-blind admissions”) and then meet 100% of their need, as calculated according to nationally recognized financial aid criteria.”</p>
<p>Holy Cross admission rate was 30% last year! How is that a good plan? From what I have read on other threads, Holy Cross is often the safety for higher stats tri-state pre-med types. As they say, “more power to you” if it works out, but I wouldn’t bet the farm on it.</p>
<p>You can explain how financial packages work until you’re blue in the face, but it’s not going to get through to the OP.</p>
<p>Time to let the chips fall where they may for this young man and wish him luck.</p>
<p>Also, please keep in mind that this package is based upon earning estimates. Once your parents file their taxes and then correct the fafsa and profile, you may see pretty large swings in your fA packages and those are the packages that really matter.</p>
<p>That is a VERY generous package that you received, ec. Be thankful. If it isnt good enough, then hope that a better one will come along (though again, that is VERY generous) and get a backup plan. Or sell your car. Also, these arent final numbers until final taxes are in. It could be better. Or worse.</p>
<p>Let me first preclude this with a statement: I’m not a parent. I’m a high school senior; I’m at the same stage you are in applications right now (well, sort of–I’ve narrowed my choices down to four, all of which are affordable for my family and three of which I’ll visit), and I have no experience with college applications beyond what I’m going through right now. I just saw this thread and was aghast at the number of pages. It’s a-okay if you feel I’m not qualified to post on it–I don’t know that I am, either!
However, I think it’s pretty clear what the next step for you is. You need to draw the line on what your family will be able to afford, and cut out any school that isn’t under that red line. As you receive aid packages this should be an easy process. That, I think, will narrow your options considerably and maybe even leave you able to visit most of the remaining schools. Furthermore, if your safety fell through, you need to find another one, and fast! The two schools you mentioned that you’re planning to apply to are by and large not the only schools in Georgia, and if you’d hate going to either, they’re not safeties. Look at some other public schools in-state; there are many that are pretty decent schools, and although it doesn’t pay for much these days, HOPE should help defray your EFC in-state.
Also, as someone (originally) from Florida, I’d warn against Flagler unless you really love it. Sure, it’s pretty and looks nice on paper, but it doesn’t exactly have a great reputation these days, even in Florida, so a degree from there may not count for as much as some of the other schools on your list.</p>
<p>If the amount the family can afford is really that low, then save the $ thatwould have gone into visiting colleges and apply it to tuyitionb. If the EFC has, HAS to be in the 7-8K range, the list of schools may be short anyway. The schools will probably not factor inthe cost of the siblings that are not in college. You may have to ask for a reconsideration or special cosideration, but they may obly do it for one year, if at all.</p>
<p>Sybelle, you are very wise (though did you mean preceed or preclude?).</p>
<p>Have you considered N. GA, which I think has a very different vibe that Valdosta or West GA? You may think it is too conservative, but I know a very liberal, artsy student who is a junior there and she has thrived. (She was Goth in high school, no less.) She is majoring in a foreign language and is on a fabulous study abroad right now.</p>
<p>Just thought I would throw N GA out as an option.</p>
<p>When you say your family can afford your EFC, can they do so without taking loans or do they plan to use loans to cover that? Do you have a plan to take out the federal loans yourself?</p>
<p>I am also concerned that you will not have the funds to get home for holidays – even if you stay on campus for Thanksgiving, most schools close dorms for Christmas and possibly spring break. Please make sure you are factoring in the rising air fare costs so you aren’t stuck.</p>
<p>Red flags for me (along with travel costs) with all of this have always been the number of siblings and their needs down the line, low EFC but also low SAT. Big dreams but not the kinds of scores and GPA that good private schools would be jumping on with big merit aid to bring cost below CC or an instate public. If early_college had great SAT’s , GPA, phenomenal stuff going on, this might be another discussion.</p>
<p>I did indeed mean precede, Jym. Didn’t get much sleep and spent too long working on a partnered AP Lit essay I seem to be doing by myself, I’m afraid. Unfortunately, it won’t let me edit to fix that now–oh well. Thanks!</p>
<p>I would strongly suggest you apply to one of your financial safeties ASAP. </p>
<p>Unless I’m missing something…the ONLY school on your list that meets full need of accepted students is Holy Cross. The rest do NOT guarantee to meet full need. That being the case, you will be expected to pay AT LEAST your EFC and likely more. The Earlham finaid award is a good one for a school that does not meet full need. You can expect loans in ALL of your finaid packages.</p>
<p>Just a quick note about waiting until April for applications to the instate options, extra money may not be there if that becomes the only option. Just took a quick peek at Valdosta, and they have a scholarship deadline of 3/1, so how would that make it a financial safety if you can’t get any aid?</p>
<p>Honestly, What do you think your family(dad) has been trying to tell you about college if financial concerns keep coming up in the conversation? Application money,travel money-it all adds up. You really need to be sure you and your parents are on the same page with your college goals. Are any loans all on you? Most parents are not willing to take out college PLUS loans because they have their own concerns about their own current finances and funding their own retirement. Your parents do not sound wealthy .</p>
<p>no worries, sybelle. My posts are always full of typos!</p>
<p>This thread seems to get new posts by the minute haha. </p>
<p>Obviously, Holy Cross is a reach. I know there is a good chance I may not get in; however, financially (out of my current choices) it is my best bet. As mathmom noted they meet 100% full need; it will not be just the FASFA which determines this. </p>
<p>Now, I know exactly where everyone is saying about VSU. Mizzbee makes a good point about scholarships. However, I do not qualify for them (requirement = 28 ACT) and they only range from $1,000-$2,500. I would get the Hope Scholarship, which one does not have to apply by March 1st to get. I really do not understand what’s the problem with waiting one month. I know you guys are saying just apply now, but what’s going to change in a month? Not much. There deadline is in June. I know kids who haven’t even applied to college yet. I would get in automatically as well. I’m just saying it’s still a safety, but there is no need to apply when I know I’ll get in for sure. Why waste the money? [url=<a href=“http://www.valdosta.edu/admissions/scholarships.shtml]scholarships[/url”>http://www.valdosta.edu/admissions/scholarships.shtml]scholarships[/url</a>]</p>
<p>I’ve interviewed with the majority of the schools on my list and have impressed them all. I’ve received merit aid ranging from $5,000-$12,000 from 11 out of the 13 schools I’ve been accepted to. The average scholarship award is around 10k per year. I’m also still waiting on two scholarships I applied to from Wooster.</p>
<p>As the Earlham admission officer told me after my interview in September, “I wanted to take a moment to let you know that it was a pleasure for me to interview you. As far as I can see, you are a very mature,determined and hardworking student who will be successful at any college you attend. I hope that you choose Earlham! We would
DEFINITELY benefit from your presence!”</p>
<p>I give school my 110% every day. I got a 3.8 GPA just last semester, while taking the most AP classes I have ever taken in high school. I have an upward GPA and received an academic letter for my sophomore year performance. I’ve taken five AP classes and over ten honors classes, yet this may not be as “good” as your children, in my book, I am very proud of my 3.4 GPA. I’ve been researching college since 8th grade and wanted to go to an early college since freshman year. I’m glad I didn’t go, thank you Jym! If you have seen what a lot of these colleges have said about me. A lot of them want me more then I want them actually, saintfan. If they didn’t want me they wouldn’t give me merit aid. I had 3 interviews just on 9/11. I know each school in and out and I do my homework to make sure they fall in LOVE with me. </p>
<p>Now this is going to be a numbers game as well. I applied to 16 colleges for a reason. C’mon. Out of 16 schools, one school is bound to give me a decent package. Not all of these schools are 50k per year. Lenoir, Flagler, Hiram, etc are all about 30k per year or less. A lot of the CTCL schools are 40k per year. Earlham isn’t a top choice, but I do like the school. I applied to each college for a specific reason. </p>
<p>Sybelle: All the best to you, good luck and thanks for the advice. If you think this thread is long, you haven’t seen my other threads lol. I do not know any state schools in Georgia that are the size I’m looking for. I’ve thought about Armstrong. I think I would like Savannah better then Valdosta. I wasn’t aware Flagler had a bad rep in Florida. I’m from South Florida and I’ve never heard anything about it, but that was some time ago. </p>
<p>North Georgia is a military college. Most of the guys are part of the ROTC. It use to be required, until recently, that all men were to be a part of it. It is conservative. It’s in Dahlongega, which is redneck country. I have a friend who goes there. I also know greek life is big. Not my cup of tea. I will say it’s very beautiful there though. </p>
<p>My parents will not take out parent plus loans. I will be taking out all the loans. Clark had a pretty good estimated package. If Holy Cross rejects me, Clark is a pretty good back up plan. I know you cannot count on these estimates, but Earlham’s was quite similar. I am willing to take out loans, but not more then 30k for my 4 years of college. Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>Great.Absolutely do not take out too many loans. Just a caveat, we found that many private schools will inundate you with requests that you apply and suggest there is money if you do so. Merit aid for some privates seems designed to get you interested and then to continue to consider them. You still have to pay the EFC, often substantial loans are involved. Neither of my kids went down the private road and it can definitely work for many, just be careful and don’t take out too many loans.</p>
<p>I don’t want to be in debt the rest of my life. My moms friend went to NYU and she’s in her late 30’s still paying off her debt and she became a teacher. So not worth it in my eyes. I want to be happy and I’m willing to take out loans, but there is always a maximum. I’m not going to ruin my future because of this. I have thought about private loans, but I’ve seen more cons against them then pros for them.</p>
<p>I COMPLETELY disagree with Sybelle. I am from Florida too & currently go to & work for Flagler. I have not heard one negative thing about it before or during my attendance. On the contrary really, the rep seems to be on the rise. We are building new buildings (aka are secure financially, rare for a small LAC right now), expanding departments, & have seen a huge growth in popularity. Please let me know if you have any specific concerns, I’d be happy to address them with honesty & as much objectivity as I can!</p>
<p>Thanks Ceilidh8. Will do! :)</p>