<p>Okay, as it stands right now. My parents income is somewhere around $30,000 - 33,000 a year. There is some money saved, my mom says enough for one year if I had no financial aid whatsoever. So, exactly what am I looking at by way of aid? A lot? Not a lot? What?
Also about scholarships, if my grades aren't the best (11th grade pre-calc = straight Cs. How's that for an equation :) ) and my rank is kinda messed up 33/207, are academic scholarships even a remote possiblity? They only scholarship I can even try to bank on is my school's cheerleading one. There's three, two $100 and one $500. If I get it, will it be accepted at the college I attend, or will that hurt my financial aid package? (This all involves numbers, so I'm confused from the get-go.)
Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>First of all, you might be eligible for the automatic 0 EFC (expected family contribution) for your federal financial aid. IF your parents' adjusted gross income is less than $30,000 in 2008 AND they are eligible to file a 1040A or 1040EZ (or is someone in your household received free/reduced lunch, TANF, WIC, food stamps, or social security income) your EFC will be 0. This does NOT mean your family will not have to pay anything for school, though. What it means is that you'll get the maximum aid package your school is able to give. The schools known for great financial aid will give you the best packages. Of course, these are usually the most competitive schools in terms of admissions (but you can always try!).</p>
<p>If your income is more than $30,000 but less than $50,000, the formula that is used to determine your EFC will be adjusted to exclude assets (like savings). This is the Simplified Needs Formula.</p>
<p>You should be in a good position for aid, but again, you aren't guaranteed to get a ton of money. If what you state is correct, you should get the maximum Pell grant, an ACG if you qualify, probably FSEOG, and maybe some institutional aid since you will be in the category of highest need. This is all "free" money which doesn't have to be repaid. You will also be eligible to borrow the maximum Stafford loans - up to $3500 subsidized (interest doesn't accumulate while you're in school) and a maximum of $5500 in subsidized and unsubsidized (interest accumulates right away) loans - mix of the two depends on the cost of the school, your EFC, and the other aid you're awarded. You would be eligible for Federal Work Study, too, but this is earn-as-you-go.</p>
<p>As for scholarships, you can research schools that give automatic scholarships to students with certain stats (test scores/gpa). You can also look for schools where you are in the top 25% of stats for admitted students. This will give you the most realistic chance of getting a scholarship.</p>
<p>Your cheerleading scholarship will be "good" anywhere, unless it states that it's only for specific schools. Don't worry about it reducing your financial aid eligibility. That will only happen if you get a ton of money from a school - in which case, it's not a problem. :)</p>
<p>You didn't post your stats, but if you think you might be able to get into one of the schools that meets 100% need, apply! Also apply to schools where you might get scholarships or very good need based aid. And apply to inexpensive public schools that you could realistically afford with a Pell grant, work-study, and a modest amount of loans. You are probably on free/reduced lunch (or eligible for it), so you should be able to get fee waivers from your guidance counselor for your applications.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I'm elgible for free/reduced lunch, I think. I'm not positive. Does being classified as gifted help when being considered for aid? You can't tell by my grades, but I am. Same goes for having a handicapped sibling. Do they consider that. I have been looking for scholarships for students with siblings with autisim (because autisim suddenly became the big cause. I've been known about it for 14 years) or cerebral palsy.
I'm also looking for University of Pittsburgh specific scholarships because I just got my acceptance letter today! :) :) :) Its my first choice school, I've wanted to go there since I was seven and my cousin went there. As a side note, I'm trying out for Pitt's cheerleading squad. They don't offer any scholarships for you to cheer there. They simply buy all your books for you. :)
AND... you were asking about stats?
Weighted GPA: 3.72 (my school doesn't give out our unweighted GPAs)
Rank 33/207. This will (hopfully) change.
SAT
Verbal: 670/630
Writing:570/600
Math: 470/490 (Go ahead and laugh. My friends and I find this hysterically funny!)</p>
<p>ACT
24/25 (I don't remember the sub-scores, but the last time I got a 32 on english and 19 on math. Keep laughing.)</p>
<p>I want to warn you that I am going on the info you gave about your family's income. It is absolutely possible that you might not actually qualify for the programs I am telling you about due to things I don't know about your financial situation. I am just basing this on IF your parents do make that amount only & IF you will qualify for 0 EFC or Simplified Needs Formula. Now ... in that case ... You should qualify for the PHEAA (state) grant, which would be somewhere arount $2700-3000. You have to apply - watch the deadlines. You should qualify for Pell, which should be around $4700. You may qualify for ACG ( <a href="http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/acg.aspx)%5B/url%5D">http://www.oafa.pitt.edu/acg.aspx)</a>, which would be $750. PHEAA has some other programs you might qualify for (<a href="http://www.pheaa.org/specialprograms/index.shtml)%5B/url%5D">http://www.pheaa.org/specialprograms/index.shtml)</a>. </p>
<p>I'm not sure about scholarships. They are offered, but the criteria aren't listed. Others may know more ...</p>
<p>Being classified as "gifted" does not help for either need based aid nor merit aid. It's what you do with your gifts that determines whether you will get merit aid or not. They look at grades, scores, and other accomplishments to determine your qualification for merit aid.</p>
<p>Congratulations on your acceptance to Pitt. I hope you get enough aid to make it affordable.</p>
<p>Cheer paying for books can save you $1000 a year or more at the campus bookstore, so that's no small thing</p>