My D is a junior at one of the top boarding schools in the US, on a generous need-based scholarship. 3.9 GPA out of 4.0 unweighted, tough curriculum, 33 ACT composite, 36 writing, good extra curriculars, community service, etc.
We can afford $30,000 per year. We have a son in college now and our current FAFSA / EFC for him is less than $10k. (When she goes to college we will have two in college at the same time for two years which I think would help our EFC further).
What are some good sub-Ivy schools to consider for merit aid? Thanks.
Merit aid at the top ranked schools is almost impossible unless you are really needy–consider Temple for outstanding scholarship/honors college opportunities if her Sats are over 700 for all 3 tests, Northeastern and Providence College have merit programs but need to high in class rank, as you move down the prestige list, many schools will gladly offer her $15-20K
My son was a good student, and he applied to good schools where he would find himself in the top 10 - 20% of the admitted class. He got very attractive offers from Providence, Fordham, Loyola MD, Miami Ohio, U San Diego, Rutgers - schools of that level. Our D is shooting a little higher, but it seems that the top schools think all their admitted kids are of the same merit.
I almost think we are better off applying to two levels - the ivy’s and the large state schools (UVA, Penn St., Michigan, Wisconsin)
UVA, Umich, and Penn State are not schools to apply to if merit is desired. not at all.
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We can afford $30,000 per year. We have a son in college now and our current FAFSA / EFC for him is less than $10k. (When she goes to college we will have two in college at the same time for two years which I think would
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Do you mean $15k per child per year? or $30k per child per year?
$30,000 per child. I realize the state schools will give next to nothing. Our son, at Penn State, gets about $5,000 in merit aid. But these state schools, as an out-of-stater, are all around $40k - not the crazy $65 -$70 I’m seeing at many other sub-Ivy private schools.
Furman University or Wofford College . Look at Wofford Scholars and Furman scholars program. Both require applications to programs be completed by GC in spring of Junior year.
Interesting - I don’t think there are too many families out there that have a sub-$10k EFC with one college student, yet have the liquid assets to spend $60,000 per year on college expenses.
“Interesting - I don’t think there are too many families out there that have a sub-$10k EFC with one college student, yet have the liquid assets to spend $60,000 per year on college expenses.”
My income is relatively low for a family of 6, but investments in the 529 did OK plus some grandparent help. I’m not sure how the formula works.
I agree that the low EFC is puzzling. With that EFC, schools that meet full need should make sense for the OP’s family but the $30,000 available for each child per year implies large savings.
Is that EFC what you are getting from the NPCs for schools that only require FAFSA? FAFSA only schools might make sense for your kids.
What is your EFC from schools that require the CSS or similar detailed information?
Your DD should get be eligible for large merit awards but keeping COA to $30,000 means more than a half-tuition award from pricey private schools.
If your D wants a smaller college than PSU, there are many private colleges that will be under 30K for your D with merit or even with need aid if your family EFC is 10K.