Due to an issue with my transcripts I missed out on the only scholarship I had from my current school, Arizona State University. Essentially what happened was my high school sent my transcripts and there was some electronic error and ASU received them when all their scholarship money was “given out”. At least, that’s how my advisor explained it. Due to that, I was pushed into paying full out of state tuition this year, which was nearly 45,000 dollars. Unfortunately whats done is done, and although it really upsets/angers me, I already paid for this year with a loan.
Next year I’m looking to transfer somewhere a little smaller, and possibly back in my home state.
As a freshman, if i were to manage a high GPA, ideally 4.0, but realistically around a 3.5, what amount of scholarship money would I be looking at? I know there is no set number to tie to a GPA, but if anyone has had a similar experience, or has knowledge of what that type of GPA could give, that’d be amazing.
Next year I would like to have as little to pay as possible. I’m the first in my family to attend college and I just want to know how much I could be looking at because I have no experience.
Well…you need to check the colleges. There isn’t all that much merit aid for transfer students. But you should,save some money by attending an instate public university in your state.
By completing the FAFSA, you will be eligible for the $6500 direct loan for second year students.
BUT with $45,000 in loans (are you paying the full cost with loans?) you really want to limit your loans in future years of undergrad.
I have to ask…has school started? Is it too late to reconsider this huge expensive year?
If you are already planning to transfer, don’t waste the money for this year. Take a gap year and reapply to schools that are more affordable.
Another option is that if you would have received a scholarship at ASU but for the late documentation, see if you can delay a year and qualify for the scholarship for next year.
Your loan is nearly $50,000! That’s insane, especially for one year at a state school. Please withdraw now, don’t put yourself $200,000+ in debt. Most likely, you’ll be DOOMED.
If you can get a 100% refund, withdraw. It is crazy for your dad to be borrowing $45k a year for you to go to college.
regroup, dont take classes anywhere and start the process over again, start with places where you know that you are a strong candidate for merit money
Hey guys. So Something really strange happened and I guess I’m pretty excited about it.
Basically after hours of talking with my parents(Who were completely for me staying in college and dealing with the big loan) I decided to talk to an advisor and withdraw. I went in last night around 6:00PM with a written explanation of my withdrawal and asked if i could retain my scholarships for next year. Instead, my advisor called the Dean, at the time i had no idea why, and then about 30 minutes later after a phone conversation with the dean, and an in person visit from the president of the engineering department, i was given a 30,000 dollar scholarship.
Essentially what happened was two students were caught breaking rules in their dorms(I’m assuming drugs & alcohol) and were kicked out of the school. Their scholarships were revoked and long story short i got some of the money.
My advisor is currently working with me and the gov’t to work on how I’m going to go about this loan. She mentioned that if it comes from the school they can lessen the amount of the loan i have to pay back. Not sure how exactly she explained it but, it worked out in my favor.
Thanks everyone for your input, I really appreciate it. You guys helped me make the ultimate decision to withdraw which caused this to happen. I feel blessed for this opportunity to have college nearly paid for, and to go from a large number of money owed to a much smaller number.
That’s great news! Make sure it’s renewable for all 4 years and find out what the requirements are to keep it. Is there a minimum GPA? Do you have to reapply for it every year? etc.
I have to maintain a 3 or better GPA, and i reapply every year. Aside from that the only requirement is staying in the engineering program, which i’m almost 2000% sure i will do.
@mbkamins - if you have to reapply each year, is it still guaranteed to be granted if you meet the 3.0 GPA requirement, and stay in the engineering program?
@KatMT So the exact breakdown of what is guaranteed to me is as follows: 12,000 per year(6k/semester) is guaranteed regardless of reapplying. 10,000 is not guranteed but i am reapplying for a chance to get it again, and 8,000 is guaranteed assuming i resubmit my application. its 3 different scholarships not just one.
@Madison85 for 30,000$ getting a 4.0 will feel like a breeze ;). In all seriousness, I’m pretty motivated now that i don’t have this massive debt under my belt.
Also, my advisor said that they approved lessening the amount on my loan to 18,000 which is still a lot, but a lot more manageable than 45k