<p>So, I'm a rising senior narrowing his college search. A couple of my schools that are high on my list are upwards of $55,000 (Bucknell, Richmond, F&M, etc). I am fortunate enough to have been raised in a family making over $250k a year, however we own and operate a small, local business which cuts into a lot of that pure income, even after taxes. What I'm worried about is that will I potentially be able to qualify for financial aid in some of these $60k/year schools? </p>
<p>On the surface it seems as if we are in no need of financial aid, however our business situation makes it difficult in the way that we won't have an extra $60k a year after all expenses are paid to put towards my education. Please note that those are not the ONLY schools on my list, I have cheaper ones that I am obviously considering.</p>
<p>Generally, what my older peers( who are in college) have told me is if the college sees that your family can just barely scrape together the last penny for your tuition, they will not offer financial aid because technically, your family can pay. Of course it is different for different tiers of colleges, but very little exceptions are made. </p>
<p>Of course, you don’t know til you try, but my guess is that Franklin and Marshall will be unaffordable for you. How are your stats? Do you have a 1400 on your reading and math SAT’s? Bucknell and Richmond are both pretty good with merit money for excellent stats. You should probably include schools that are likely to give you merit - perhaps Drew in NJ has the vibe you’re looking for? Also, The College of NJ gives many out of staters a 10k scholarship, bringing the OOS cost to <30k. TCNJ also seems to have a feel that is (sort of kind of) similar to F&M and Bucknell. </p>
<ul>
<li>3.65 weighted GPA (school does not unweight, however probably around a 3.5 UW)</li>
<li>1780 SAT (630 M, 600 W, 550 CR)</li>
<li>30 ACT</li>
<li>90+ hours of comm service, very involved and President of one large club</li>
<li>Two varsity sport player and named captain for senior seasons in both</li>
</ul>
<p>You have an 1180 M+CR, but a 30 ACT. Your ACT is MUCH higher than your SAT. </p>
<p>Your family’s income is way too high for aid. </p>
<p>Before you waste a lot of time dreaming about schools that wont be affordable, do this…</p>
<p>1) Ask your parents how much they will pay each year. THAT ANSWER will determine where you should apply.
If you already know, how much will they pay?</p>
<p>2) Identify schools that will give you enough merit for your ACT/GPA that the remaining costs will be met by your parents contribution. </p>
<p>The schools don’t expect 60k out of current income, they expect there was some saving and that you may take some loans as well if you want to go to college that costs that much. I don’t see you will get much if any assistance. So pick wisely. But are you saying there is no money at all planned for college? Have you discussed it with your parents.</p>
<p>OP, momof2collegekids has spelled it out nicely for you. You’re not going to get much merit money from Bucknell or Richmond. There’s some question whether you’d even get in - your ACT is about average for the schools, but your GPA is borderline. Find out what your parents can pay. And then look very carefully at your state school options. What state are you in? </p>
<p>So, to clarify, @paul2752 These are only a few schools on my list. I will be applying to ALOT of schools, I personally have the money to spend that I want to apply to these schools. About half the schools on my list are over $50k/year, but my parents said they’re personally willing to pay between $50k-$53k/year, the rest having to come from my own money from my job.</p>
<p>My stats listed in my other thread:
3.65 weighted GPA (Around a 3.5 unweighted, school does not unweight)
No class rank (not calculated)
1780 SAT (630 M, 600 W, 550 CR) Taking again this Saturday, improved 50 points the second time I took, assume an 1830!
30 ACT (took only once)</p>
<p>Yes, Richmond and Bucknell are both reaches that are made realistic because of the strength of my high school and the amount that these schools accept from my high school. @halfemptypockets I live in Connecticut. </p>
<p>To all responders, I just wasn’t sure how aid worked. I have had that talk with my parents, and those were the details they gave me. The small company we own causes for a lot of expenses to take away from the $250k+ income, which is why I even posed the question because that $250k is cut down because of these company expenses. But thanks again for your guys’ help, I still will be applying to the likes of Bucknell and Richmond, and hypothetically if I do get in, I’ll have to re-evaluate my circumstances then. Thanks!</p>
<p>However, it will be too late to consider your circumstance by the time the results come in.</p>
<p>DO loook for colleges with great merit scholarships, like University of Alabama. It has full tuition for OOS, but you have to 1400(Cr+M) at least or ACT 32, with GPA 3.5 cumulative.</p>
<p>Tbh i m not sure if your stat is good enough for Richmond unless you write a stellar essay. Did you take any AP?</p>
<p>@paul2752 5 total over my high school career. Richmond just tended to accept a lot more from my school than on average, keeping it on my list. @OHMomof2 Well, my number 1 school is Elon right now. It’s around $43k/year, which is perfectly affordable for my family, so I’ll be banking on getting in there ED 1. However, Bucknell and Richmond are such questions because they are my #2 and #3 schools, and being so expensive I have to see my circumstances in more depth. Other low cost schools looking at: UConn (In state), Maryland CP, UGeorgia, Clemson, Miami OH, Indiana, Penn State.</p>