<p>Although there have been some harsh responses, I think this is an extremely important thread that should be featured.</p>
<p>There are wide differences from state to state in the qualifications required to get the $$ available to kids at their state schools. In some cases, top kids could possibly get a better financial deal at a private.</p>
<p>However…this is the school that this kid really wants to attend. I don’t agree with some who have said he tipped his hand too quickly. If this is where he really wanted to go, it was right for him to say so from the beginning.</p>
<p>Perhaps there will be departmental scholarships. I also hope that you are pursuing all local scholarships…not just the ones from you school, but perhaps there are some offered by your county, or an organization that you or you son belongs to. Also…if you really want to save money, it looks like your child, with an extra course load 1 semester or a mid-term or summer course, could graduate in 3 years versus 4. That’s a huge savings…if $$ are really tight.</p>
<p>I also hope that MidwestParent’s post is encouraging. Although they may have had out of pocket expenses that were more than they had hoped for undergrad, the hard work and perserverance of their child continued through college, and will “pay off” in grad school.</p>
<p>Don’t know if any of CC"s sleuth researchers have summarized the amounts available and qualifications for various “highest” scholarship opportunities at state flagships…but…for someone who has time…it would be a very helpful post.</p>