<p>Im currently a junior in highschool and wondering should i start applying now. Also, i plan on going out of state for college so yearly the costs would be 30,000+, so how many scholarships should i apply for. I heard that only students with low income recieve financial aid, my family income is about 85,000 before taxes does this disqualify me for financial aid?</p>
<p>You’re asking a couple of different questions.</p>
<p>First…you need to realize that private scholarships are often for small amounts and only for freshman year. So, even if you were able to win a few, that would only help with freshman year. If you needed that money for college, then you’d be short of money for years 2, 3, and 4. </p>
<p>Private scholarships are nice to pay for some of the “extra expenses” associated with college, but not to pay for tuition, room, and board.</p>
<p>Your best bet for merit scholarships are from the colleges that give them. Those are usually for all 4 years.</p>
<p>Your second question has to do with financial aid. FA is “need-based” which is determined by looking at parents income and assets. Your famalies income is probably too high for federal and state aid, but <em>might</em> get you some aid at some privates.</p>
<p>Most schools do NOT have enough money to give much aid. Most cannot “meet need.” Most OOS publics do not help OOS students with need-based aid… Some do give merit based scholarships for high stats.</p>
<p>Which schools are you considering?</p>
<p>Have you asked your parents how much they will spend each year? If not, do so. </p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>Private scholarships aren’t going to cover much, but they’ll help chip away at the cost if you can win them. It’s probably a good idea to start looking now. Be sure to apply to some financial safeties (where you’ll definitely be able to afford all four years based on the aid - both merit and need-based - that you’ll get and the cost of attendance) in case you end up unable to pay the costs to go out of state.</p>