<p>Recently, I've started looking at various summer programs open to students finishing eighth grade.</p>
<p>I know about CTY, of course, and I took the SATs and got the necessary scores (630CR, 580M, 710W. I'm retaking in March and currently scoring 680 in both CR and Math on practice tests).</p>
<p>The problem, though, is that my parents aren't willing to shell out thousands of dollars. </p>
<p>What're some good, CHEAP, summer programs I might be eligible for? I'm from a well-off family with an income of about 140k, so I'm guessing financial aid is out of the question. :/</p>
<p>EDIT: </p>
<p>My strength on paper would be math, I guess, as I'm currently taking Honors Algebra II at my high school along with the already advanced Geometry course at the middle school. I'm the only person in my school district to have done this in the past 5-6 years, so I AM strong in the subject, if not the absolute best. I have a 98 in both courses.</p>
<p>I also enjoy writing and literature, and I'm a grade ahead in my school's English curriculum as well. I've taken CTY Distance Ed courses in writing in the past.</p>
<p>So pretty open to anything...</p>
<p>If you are really open to anything, you might look into StarTalk summer programs in critical need languages. The 2012 applications have not opened yet but in the past some have been free. Typically they are 2-4 weeks studying Chinese, Arabic, Russian etc at various universities around the country. Check your local universities as well. They may have some interesting but poorly advertised opportunities. My D even got paid one summer to attend a computer science program. Good luck!</p>
<p>You can apply to CTY with financial aid and see what you get. There are also some merit-based scholarships for CTY, I believe.</p>
<p>Take a look at the Joseph Baldwin Academy at Truman University in Kirksville, Missouri. It is about one third the cost of CTY and my daughter liked it better than CTY, which she did twice. She took Latin for the three-week program.</p>
<p>CTY financial aid goes to VERY LOW income kids.</p>
<p>Joseph Baldwin Academy’s website says “all student applications should be postmarked no later than November 14, 2011.”</p>
<p>Get a job. Cheapest thing you could possibly do.</p>
<p>It might be worth a call to Truman if the OP is interested. With the economy, perhaps apps are down. They are very nice people in Missouri.</p>
<p>I checked Truman, and their late apps closed just a few days ago.</p>
<p>I’ll probably end up volunteering at a local museum or something of that sort.</p>
<p>Sent from my Desire HD using CC App</p>
<p>My 8th grade daughter went to JBA at Truman State University this past summer for three weeks. It was an excellent program at reasonable cost (around $1500). All classes were taught by professors at college level. Kids were nice and had a lot of fun there.</p>