Strange family situation

Parents Forum
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<p>Westcoastmom, I almost cried when I read your post. To think that somebody who doesn't even know me will go and actually explain my situation and ask for advice really shows what great people are on CC :)
Of course, thank you to everyone else as well!</p>

<p>I live right in the middle of Chicago and Urbana. About two- two and half hours away from either, depending on traffic. I plan to come home about every weekend the first couple weeks or so to help my brother and my grandparents adjust. After a couple months I hope to limit it to once or twice a month since travel costs will add up fast.</p>

<p>My GC is very helpful and actually came to my g-parents house and stood by my side when I was being questioned by cops and investigators. He knows the entire situation and is was very helpful emotionally. However, he has 2 kids, one on the way, and does a million and one other things at the school. I know that he would supply me with answers to the best of his ability. The problem is, (this may sound negative) he is too positive. He told me last year that I should get my college completely paid for, even when I told him I was considering Northwestern and UIUC. His intentions are good, but he tends to get my hopes very high...</p>

42

<p>I'm not sure if this has been mentioned, but is emancipation an option/advantage?</p>

43

<p>Why not also look at the University of Chicago? Its new Odyssey program eliminates loans for low-income students, of which you will certainly be one. And Notre Dame, too. Both are top-notch colleges that are as close or closer to you than Northwestern or UIUC.</p>

44

<p>Northwestern</a> to Replace Student Loans with Grants for Neediest Students says Northwestern eliminates loans for "neediest" students. </p>

<p>I second Notre Dame. It is probably closer to Chicago than UIUC. However, JHS, ND is actually way farther from Chicago than Northwestern (which is "in" Chicago for all intents and purposes).</p>

45

<p>I'm glad to hear your GC is so helpful and involved. Since he has a thousand other things to do, perhaps he can recommend someone else who can guide you through this process. You'll want to put the proper spin on asking for a recommendation -- it's not because he's not good or knowledgeable or concerned, simply that he has XXX other students to worry about. Perhaps there's someone else at your school (teacher, assistant principal, etc.) who can help you through this.</p>

<p>In sum, this is my thinking:</p>

<ul>
<li>You are obviously very talented and mature.</li>
<li>You deserve a shot at a good education.</li>
<li>Your situation is unique.</li>
<li>You (as a 17-year-old) lack knowledge.</li>
<li>You also lack "resources" -- other sophisticated people who can navigate the whole college and FA app thing. Usually, that's what the parents or the GC do.</li>
<li>There are undoubtedly people closer to your life than we are who can and want to get involved. They just need to be identified and asked. Use your GC to identify those people.</li>
</ul>

<p>My point is that you don't need us to recommend School X over School Y; you need someone to help you navigate how to get aid, how to handle your essays, and how to handle the rest of your schoolwork and family life while you're doing it all.</p>

46

<p>Sam, of course Northwestern is in Chicago, but the OP said she is 2-1/2 hours south of Chicago. It's probably an exaggeration to say South Bend is just as close as the North Shore, but it's not a lot farther, especially taking traffic into account.</p>

47

<p>Getting back to the OP's original question:</p>

<p>Yes, Senior, Northwestern is within reach financially if you're admitted. So is Chicago and UIUC.</p>

<p>Each of these schools has a generous program for low income students, to which you will probably qualify:</p>

<ul>
<li>Northwestern has a new no-loan policy</li>
<li>Chicago has the Odyssey program</li>
<li>UIUC has the Illinois Promise program</li>
</ul>

<p>All of these schools will expect you to work during the school year (Work Study) as well as through the summer.</p>

<p>In addition to the proceeds of your work, Northwestern and Chicago will probably want you to apply your assets ($30K) towards your education, but they will hopefully disregard your home equity. They should cover the rest of your cost of attendance with grants and scholarships.</p>

<p>UIUC on the other hand will probably disregard all your assets but give you an aid package with the maximum possible subsidized Stafford loans, for a total of $19K over 4 years. I don't know if they would give you unsubsidized loans too, but for an Independent student the maximums could add up to an additional $26K in loans.</p>

<p>In summary, and assuming you are admitted to each of these schools and that all the stars align in your favor, the out-of-pocket cost of your education at each of these schools should be:</p>

<ul>
<li>Northwestern - $0 to $30K + Work Study + Summer Jobs</li>
<li>Chicago - $0 to $30K + Work Study + Summer Jobs</li>
<li>UIUC - $19 to $45 + Work Study + Summer Jobs</li>
</ul>

<p>All these numbers are approximate and based on several assumptions. You will only know what each school is williing to do for you after you are admitted and receive a financial aid offer. The way I see it, your cost at these schools are all in the same ballpark.</p>

<p>The bad news is that you are not likely to be able to save your $30 for graduate school. The good news is that you will be able to graduate from college with little or no debt.</p>

48

<p>Re the U of C Odyssey program eliminating loans: the maximum award is just over $5K, and it replaces Stafford/Perkins loans only.</p>

<p>Nevertheless, SamK's assessment is on target. *If * the stars align, the ultimate cost at either of the private institutions may be lower.</p>

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<p>I think that you ought to look at Grinnell in Iowa and Earlham in Indiana, as well as Notre Dame, as well as any other good schools that fall within about a 4-hour driving radius. (How about Indiana University?) Don't narrow things down too much at this stage.</p>

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<p>Senior, my husband would probably understand your situation quite well. At age 13, he lost his dad to cancer. His mom died six years later when he was a college junior. That said, your GC is right. You have an excellent chance of going to college and having much of it paid for. My husband went to a private Catholic HS on scholarship, then to one of the country's top universities, again on scholarship. He once said that he owed just $800 a year to the school -- which is simply amazing. You are mature young adult. Trust your GC. He sounds like a decent person, and while he is busy, he will fight for you. Keep good communication with your grandparents so that they are always in the loop. You are a wonderful role model for your brother, and trust me, he will follow in your steps in whatever path you choose.</p>

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<p>Momreads, I'm sorry to hear about your husband's losses, but it's nice to see that he still went onto college and didn't end up tens of thousands of dollars in debt. </p>

<p>SamK, I've been looking into the Illinois Promise Program, but I'm confused about the aid they give. Do they give loans in the package or is it all scholarships and grants? The website doesn't say anything about loans, but never says they don't give them either. Are your calculations just regular financial aid, or are those numbers what they'll be if I get into the Illinois Promise thing?</p>

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<p>I also know two kids who got their college paid for after the tragic loss on one parent, and the OP has effectively lost both parents at this point. The OP should follow the advice that applies to all: apply to dream schools, safety schools, and match schools with a financial safety included in the bunch. Then, she should wait and see what her aid packages are. Chances are good that her GC is correct and her college can be paid for. I hope she will come back here next spring and update us on what happened!</p>

53

<p>My calculations were for the Promise program. For my numbers above, I assumed that they would meet 100% of your need but some of it would be through loans. </p>

<p>A more careful reading of their offer seems to indicate otherwise:</p>

<p>"Illinois Promise will fund the estimated cost of tuition, fees, room and board, and books and supplies, through grants and scholarships and by working approximately 10-12 hours a week."</p>

<p>This seems to indicate that, besides your contribution through Work Study, you are only responsible for Travel and Personal Expenses. This website Project</a> on Student Debt: Financial Aid Pledges agrees with this analysis.</p>

<p>Based on the above, it looks like UIUC is more generous than I gave them credit for and I should have said:</p>

<ul>
<li>UIUC - $0 + Work Study + Summer Jobs</li>
</ul>

<hr>

<p>Senior, please don't focus too much on preserving your $30K. The fact is that you have several options to obtain a great education and graduate debt-free, and in the great scheme of things, that is what really matters. If the difference between a Northwestern education and a UIUC education is just $30K over 4 years, you should probably use other criteria to choose between them.</p>

<p>And listen to Consolation: Don't narrow things too much at this stage. The 3 schools we're discussing should all be good financially assuming you are admitted, but make sure (1) that they are really schools you would like to attend, (2) that you have a safety school in case you're not admitted to any of the above and (3) that there aren't other schools out there that you would LOVE to attend and that might be willing to make it possible for you, even if they don't have a published policy of helping ALL kids in your situation.</p>

54

<p>OOS at public U's may not get much financial aid. Your GC would be expected to help you during their regular working day, or to find you the help within the system, so don't worry at all about their private life's demands. Do not plan on returning home for any weekends to help out- your job is to go away to college, the others will do fine when you are gone and you will do better if you are not trying to divide your time between school and home. So- apply to schools within a few hours (ie less than a day's drive to and from) from home, choosing ones with the best academic, social and financial aid fits. Get adult help from someone at school to mentor your application process, to read essays and help you proofread them so your messages get across. One approach you can use this summer is to look at a list of all the private schools in range and evaluate them- cross off those you dislike for any reasons to create a more manageable list. Then research those schools and make a ranked list, including your perception of financial aid- but don't discount schools you don't think will give you aid if you otherwise rank them high. Apply to the top ? number (I have no idea if 2 or 5 or 10 is the right one) and see how it works out. I suspect one year from now you will have some pleasant surprises as I am sure you will do the required work in finding schools. Best wishes.</p>

<p>Addenda- do not let the finances scare you away from applying to schools. First concentrate on good fit schools including reaches as well as matches and safeties. Do not worry about having any money for grad school. Many of us still don't know how our poor parents managed to get us through public schools, and I used to say my debts die with me when I finished medical school. It is important to consider college finances, but it is also important to dwell on the other aspects of college apps and to enjoy your senior year of HS.</p>

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<p>And I will repeat what I said before: Don't worry about graduate school now. First handle undergraduate, or there'll be no graduate school!!</p>

56

<p>How about:
Welcome</a> to Shimer College ?
It's in Chi and sounds pretty erudite. It's also not terribly famous so you might stand a better shot at merit aid.</p>

57

<p>Have you looked into Questbridge and other type programs? They help shepherd lower income first generation and minority students through the application and financial aid process. I think on the financial aid forum page there is a thread about it up at the top.</p>

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<p>Sit down with your GC but bear in mind, they often do not know all the ins and outs of FA. They are just too busy. Remember that private schools often have more $$ to give out. Figure out which schools you match best in terms of academics and interests and THEN go talk with them. Your situation is indeed very unique and you owe it to yourself to do the legwork to get as much aid as possible. I think you'll be very successful with your dedication and energy. Let us know how it turns out.</p>

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<p>Thanks everybody for the positivity and advice. I'll definitely be using it within the next couple of months :)</p>

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<p>I can't believe I didn't think of Questbridge for you. Definitely, look into it right away. The application needs to be submitted early. You are exactly the kind of student that Questbridge was designed to help.</p>