<p>I have no idea where to even start with financial aid. I've started working on the FAFSA, but that's it. I don't even know what college I'm going to yet! My family cannot really afford anything. My mother is a single mom with very little income. I've got good grades/test scores so I'm sure I'd be able to get scholarships, but how do I go about that?</p>
<p>Where to start? First of all, you need to get a list of college. If your parents truly can give you zero in money, that tells you right there that finances are going to be a big issue. That means that you should know what your local state options are, so that you can commute to college from home, just as you are doing for high school. Living with mom means about $5-10K, in some areas even more in support money for things like a roof over your head, some food, and sundries, at very least. Living on your own, in a school dorm, most anywhere, can be very expensive. So that major cost is taken care of at home.</p>
<p>If you have high test scores, great grades, so that you are a candidate for those schools that give exceellent financial aid packages–meet full need, for instance, you might want to consider some of those schools too. The fact of the matter is that few schools meet full need, so you want to know what schools do, and whether you have a good shot at any of them. Look at what their test score ranges are and whether yours fall in there. Talk to your GC about your chances fo getting into such schools.</p>
<p>Most students are not going to get accepted to those top priced, generous financial aid schools. Many don’t even apply, but even those who do, don’t get accepted, so you know those are like buying lottery tickets. You need sure things in place, like local schools that you know you will be able to afford.</p>
<p>You should get your mother’s income and asset info and fill out an EFC estimator. FAFSA doesn’t even come out until 1/1/20014 for the fall 2014-5 school year. But you want to get an idea as to what your EFC is. If your mother has income of under a certain threshold ($22K maybe, you have to look it up) then you have an auto zero EFC which means PELL grant of $5600 for the year, plus guaranteed DIrect loans in the amount of $5500 with some of that money subsidized. You may not even have to take the loans and just get the PELL money if you go to a local state school, living at home, getting a part time job. </p>
<p>In order to get scholarships, you need to be in the top group of students at any schools. YOu need to look for schools that have large merit awards and where you would be a “top gun” there, mainly through your ACT or SAT1 scores.</p>
<p>If your state has money for college, that is also something you can count on if you qualify for it. That can bring down the cost of college dramatically. </p>
<p>What schools do you have on your list? Are you competitive for admissions to them? What is your estimated family EFC? Do you have a non custodial parent of means? What are your test scores and grades?</p>
<p>If you are planning to start college next fall, the 2014-15 fafsa isn’t available to start filling out until 1/1/14. What are your GPA and SAT/ACT scores? What is your home state? Most students in this country commute to local community colleges and/or 4-year Us. Do you have schools within commuting distance?</p>
<p>If you’ve worked thru FAFSA then you ought to have an idea of what your EFC (expected family contribution) is. If your family is very low income, then you may qualify for a federal Pell grant (up to $5645/year). You will also qualify for a federal Direct Student loan–$5500 for freshmen. </p>
<p>Depending on where you live, your state may offer some financial aid if meet certain income and/or academic guidelines.</p>
<p>That’s the only FA you’re guaranteed to get. </p>
<p>Some private colleges may offer additional need-based aid from their own funds. But most colleges do NOT guarantee to meet your need thru FA.</p>
<p>Merit awards are based on your grades and test scores. You can start by looking these threads:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1461983-competitive-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1461983-competitive-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html</a></p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html</a></p>
<p>But your best, most affordable option may be attending a local college or community college and commuting from home.</p>
<p>If you are starting college in fall 2014, you can NOT be working on the 2014-2015 FAFSA (which is the one you need to complete) because it will not be available for completion or filing until January 1, 2014.</p>
<p>Important things you CAN do now:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Look at each college website where you are applying and find out exactly what you need to submit for financial aid consideration, and the DEADLINES for these. DO NOT MISS THE DEADLINES. In fact, submit as early as possible.</p></li>
<li><p>Talk to your parents. It is prudent that they get their taxes done for 2013 as soon as possible after February 1 when they should have all their tax info. This is NOT the year to delay filing taxes until April 15.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>According to other threads, you are a Georgia resident. Your GPA is 3.88. SAT 780 CR, 610 Math, 660 writing. </p>
<p>Look at the links posted upstream here for full ride scholarships. </p>
<p>You say you are not interested in any GA schools but Emory. Certainly…apply there. Their financial aid can be very generous for low income students, if you are accepted.</p>
<p>I would STRONGLY urge you to consider your instate options. Wouldn’t you be eligible for HOPE? That and some other need based aid might make UGA or Georgia Tech affordable for you. These are excellent schools that many folks would LOVE to be able to attend at instate rates. </p>
<p>One thing to be very aware of…some schools do have a December 1 application deadline for consideration for their most generous merit scholarships. That is only just about two weeks away.</p>
<p>Your stats seem to qualify you for Zell. UGA has merit scholarships that stack on top of Zell. Your SAT is a bit low to be in the running for the big ones, but you might get $2-3K/yr. Together those would cover tuition/fees at UGA. I don’t know rules about how Pell interacts with Zell, but maybe you qualify for Pell also if income is low. Anyway, if you work all summer and take out student loan to combine with whatever parents can contribute, that should cover room/bd/books even without Pell. If you get Pell, maybe don’t need loan. Deadline to submit app to be considered for merit at UGA is 12/15. Seems like you ought to apply there as safety. It’s a very good school. Is that a place you visited already? Not recommending GaTech as one of your other posts says you are interested in humanities only, not math/science.</p>