<p>I have a HS junior planning to major in engineering or CS with a perfect GPA (as of now), most rigor course load, tons of APs, good EC(both sport and leadership) and a good test scores. How do I start building up our college list if we are not comfortable paying more than $35K per year and cannot get any need based money? We are California residents.
Thank you for your help. </p>
<p>Well…I’m not a CA expert…but I believe $35,000 a year will fund almost any UC or Cal State as instate residents. And your kid can take the Direct Loan as well. So…you already have a lengthy list of possibilities right in CA.</p>
<p>There is a pinned thread in the financial aid forum on this site that has college merit scholarships listed in it. Check that.</p>
<p>With near perfect stats and near perfect standardized test scores, and CS or e gone wrong as a major, University of Alabama would give a guaranteed very generous merit award.</p>
<p>What are your geographic preferences.</p>
<p>The UCs also have some pretty decent merit scholarships. </p>
<p>They do? She will defiantly be applying to some UCs and USC.</p>
<p>USC has awesome merit aid. </p>
<p>Check the websites of the UC’s/CSU’s/Privates in your area. They will have a breakdown of the current tuition/fees and the merit scholarships available for this year. While those numbers are subject to change, it will give you a starting point. Also, depending on your income, you might be eligible for the Cal-Grant, which will help with tuition costs at CA schools. </p>
<p>You need to not only restrict yourself to instate schools. Try the net calculator at some of the private schools. Some of the need blind ones may be an option. Even if you have a relatively high income, you still may get enough money from the school to keep your family contribution in the $35,000 range. I would not keep my kid from applying but you can be clear that they can only go to the school if your contribution is calculated at $35,000 or less. Then go for it!!</p>
<p>Thank you everyone. One more question: by looking at school profile, how do you determine that this school might have a nice merit fund available?</p>
<p>The UC’s offer merit aid usually in the form of Regent Scholarships. They can range from $2500-$10,000 for high Stat applicants. UCR seems to be the most generous for Regents at $10K but UCB regents get $8500 and UCD regents get $7500. Private schools are also a good option and you need to check their websites for Scholarships that are available. Some scholarships require a separate application and some are automatic.</p>
<p>I would also like to suggest Cal Poly SLO as an excellent school for Engineering/CS. It is as competitive as the Mid-tier UC’s and about $5-7000 cheaper. </p>
<p>I believe family income must be below $80,000 a year for the family to be Calgrant eligible. In the OP, the poster said they would not qualify for need based aid, but could only comfortably pay $35,000 a year for college.</p>
<p>If this family has earnings from regular income, not divorced, not self employed, don’t own real estate other than their primary residence, they should run the net price calculators for a few colleges with their numbers.</p>
<p>Keep in mind, the NPCs are on the college websites for the 2014-2015 school year and they DO change from year to year, and aid policies do change from year to year. But this mig give the family a rough estimate on affordability of colleges they target. But…they will need to do these net price calculators again next September during their daughter’s senior year of high school.</p>
<p>Well excuse the Cal-grant section of my post. Missed that last part. </p>
<p>I suggest you figure out what’s important to your child in a school (small/large, warm climate/cold, tech school/research university, etc.), and then start looking for schools where your child will likely be in the top 25% of applications. Many private schools give more merit than public schools, so you may want to focus on them. </p>
<p>Thank you everyone. </p>
<p>“One more question: by looking at school profile, how do you determine that this school might have a nice merit fund available?”</p>
<p>Look in the financial aid sections of each school that you are considering. </p>
<p>And I remember my son looking at a list of top engineering schools and half his applications are those. He’s also a top student. His choices are all over the country, and we looked at admission stats and made sure he had some safety schools in there with still solid engineering programs too. Visited all but one more in January (he’s a senior now).</p>
<p>During junior year:
I concentrated on going to each college’s website and carefully filling out my own matrix of deadlines and requirements. He took SATs and ACTs already Spring Junior year. Visited many during Spring Break junior year and then summer making contact with regional and state recruiters were they knew him by name eventually.</p>
<p>I spent hours on each schools financial and scholarship websites and again noted deadlines and requirements in a matrix. NEVER trust outside websites for that info! Go directly to the source! I’ve practiced filled out the FAFSA and understand it. There’s a free book online that explains each question.</p>
<p>Make sure your child has a good mix of APs (too many is actually bad), clubs and/or sports. I notice in all the admission briefings especially at the Ivies the focus is on leadership, so whatever your child can do to showcase that whether in clubs, volunteering, jobs, activities, sports, music, etc. that is key! Frankly such a large percentage have stellar grades and test scores. You need something beyond that.</p>
<p>Lastly I have a notebook and every admissions visit whether it is a local event or when we visit the college, I took awesome notes. I’m amazed looking around at these events and rarely anyone takes notes! I refer back to them all the time. Also names of people you meet from the colleges, etc.</p>
<p>Oh forgot. Once your son takes the PSAT and if he does really well he will already start getting bombarded with emails and snail mail. Halfway thru senior year we have a regular Rubbermaid tote about to overflow! I read each mailing and noted any user names/passwords and scholarship offers and anything else that stood out, all in my notebook. Been doing it since he took the PSAT. They get ALL your identifying data. As sometimes it’ll reference a stellar score or that he is an UMI or other private data they got from the test! It’s kind of eerie! Do well on the PSAT and you could be looking at NMSF and possibly Finalist. That alone opens tons of doors. Some schools will even fly you out on their dime to come and have a look see or participate in a special program, even the Ivies. So again, I stress the PSAT and doing well.</p>
<p>Accepted early action to 2 universities so far. Waiting on 3 more and applying RD to 2. And yes I am a nag. Not gonna lie. He does all the work including thank you cards, but I do a lot of reminding and checklists. Hate doing that but to see his smiles once he started getting accepted…is making it all worth it! Keep your eye on the prize!</p>
<p>Thank you so much @Rdtsmith </p>
<p>I have an update to my original post and a question. We just got November SAT score and D got 2300 (780CR, 750M and 770W). She made one mistake on math section that resulted in 50 points deduction. This is her first time taking SAT. Should we stop at this point or try to raise her math score? This is her first time taking this test. Will trying to improve this score results in better merit scholarships?</p>
<p>Her CR/Math is 1530/1600. That is terrific. Where is she looking for merit awards?</p>
<p>She’s fine.</p>
<p>As of now she plans to apply to UCs, USC, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and few high reaches: Caltech, Stanford, Harvey Mudd. Her math score is probably too low for the last 3.</p>