<p>Okay so I really want to go out of state for college but my parents are really REALLY against it for the fact that we just can't really afford it...it's not like we're super broke but we jus don't have enough to cover the expenses. And I also have a younger sister who will be entering college as well in a couple of years and I guess they are saving up some money for her too. </p>
<p>I talked to my counselor about it and she said i should apply to just a couple out of state private schools and rack up some scholarship money to cover the expenses. And my doctor (when my doctor gave me a physical) she also gave advice that even though I wouldn't be able to afford it, I should at least try because I wouldnt regret it down the road that I didnt apply out of state.</p>
<p>We also applied for FAFSA but Im not sure when it is coming in yet.</p>
<p>Also, I have a couple of out of state schools applications due in the next couple of weeks but I haven't told my parents about applying to them because I'm scared they're gonna say no.</p>
<p>I'm not the most elite student at my school, but I am a pretty well rounded kid. So I don't know if I'm eligible for full tuition scholarships, but just to clarify, if one does get full tuition scholarship to an out of state school, are all the expenses (dorm, books, etc.) all paid off for while the student attends the school?</p>
<p>So yeah this is my situation and I don't really know what to do. Help?</p>
<p>And they always emphasize that if your parents dont have that kind of money, you won’t be able to survive in the dorms, juggling work and school to pay for housing. I really ****es me off but I do feel bad because we are a middle class family and my parents are trying so hard but its simply not enough.
I’m applying to a couple schools in my state and I really hope I get in. But if I get into the out of state schools I’m applying to which are pretty competitive, I really want to consider attending out of state.</p>
<p>You don’t apply for FAFSA. You use FAFSA to establish eligibility for federal aid - and at some schools, for institutional aid as well. And if you’re talking about entering college next fall, you haven’t even done that, since the FAFSA form won’t be available until January 1.</p>
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<p>No, full tuition is just that - full tuition.</p>
<p>My advice - you need to find schools you can afford that will meet your needs. Those may be in-state public schools.</p>
<p>First, you need to distinguish between OOS public and private schools. OOS public schools, will be more difficult to get into than if you were an IS student; and more importantly, they will not give you substantial FA. There are two exceptions, but your stats do not put you in the running for these schools.</p>
<p>Second, to be competitive for merit scholarships at any school, you need to be in the top of the applicant pool; at least the top 25% and more like the top 5-10% IMO.</p>
<p>Your test scores are at about the lower 25% for the schools you’ve listed:</p>
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<p>That will make admission to these schools uncertain and merit scholarships highly unlikely. I think you need to concentrate on some other IS publics because the cost will be more affordable and admission more likely, such as Western WA and Evergreen.</p>
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<p>You need to work with your parents to find schools that fit your needs and are financially affordable.</p>
<p>Full tuition scholarships usually begin at around the 2100 SAT level, and then only at less-selective schools. With a 3.9 and a 23 ACT, you can get an $8,000-a-year merit scholarship at Arizona State, where the current cost of out-of-state tuition and fees, room and board is $35,000. At Kansas, where the annual cost is $30,000, you could get $8,000-a-year if you can get the ACT up to 24. Those two are unusual in giving decent scholarships based largely on grades, not standardized tests.</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with applying and seeing what aid you are offered. However, when you make your actual decision of where to attend, finances will play a large role. If you see your offers and you simply still can’t afford it, then you just can’t afford it. A lot of students think they will be unhappy or left wondering “what could have been” if they don’t get into the schools they want. But many end up happy where they go, and those who don’t can always transfer and find a better place that is still affordable. The last thing you want to do is try to go to an expensive school you can’t afford and end up having to transfer just because of finances.</p>
<p>There are some privates (not top ones) that will give merit scholarships to students with your stats, but they’re really more like tuition discounts. They might bring a $40,000 tuition bill down to $25,000, for instance. I’m guessing that’s not going to help you. The likelihood of getting full tuition with your stats isn’t high, especially at OOS publics. And then there’s room, board, books, spending money, travel expenses, etc. While I agree with your GC to an extent about trying so you won’t have regrets, you need to consider the likelihood of getting a scholarship and being able to attend vs. the cost of the applications, sending test scores, etc., especially if finances are a big consideration.</p>
<p>One of the least expensive options is the University of Wyoming.</p>
<p>$21,500 OOS for tuition/fees/room/board.
You would qualify for a $5500 automatic scholarship because of your excellent GPA.</p>
<p>Total cost would be $16,000 per year. I honestly don’t think that you will find a cheaper option OOS than that given your ACT score. It is a well respected research school.</p>