<p>*All my parents said that they would contribute is $1500 a year or maybe semester I am not sure. I don’t want to not go to school just because my parents aren’t capable of paying my EFC. *</p>
<p>I understand that. But, schools aren’t going to let you enroll if you don’t have the money. </p>
<p>Ask your parents how much they’ll pay so that you have a clear view of whether they’ll pay 1500 or 3000. </p>
<p>Also ask them if they’ll take out a Plus loan or co-sign. (Also, keep in mind that your parents have to qualify for these loans each year, so if they qualify one year, they may not qualify for future years).</p>
<p>You are facing a situation that many kids face every year. There are thousands of kids who’ve worked hard in high school, got good grades/scores, but can’t afford their top choices for college. Does it ruin their life to go where they can afford? NO. Does it seriously hurt their life by taking out huge loans? Probably. </p>
<p>If your parents won’t take out a Plus loan or co-sign, how would you pay for gap in your coverage? </p>
<p>(Again, it is NOT a good idea to have large loans. The dream is YOUR CAREER, not 4 years in college.)</p>
<p>*The only way I could think of paying for it is to have a huge private loan or magically win about $25000 a year in outside scholarship money. *</p>
<p>As you know, you’re not going to win $25k per year in outside scholarship money. </p>
<p>Private loan sources are going to require your parents to co-sign. No one loans large amounts to kids with little income/assets. And, the monthly payments on such loans would devastate your adult life. </p>
<p>I don’t think you realize how little new grads have leftover each month after they pay rent, utilities, car payment, car insurance, cell phone bill, food, clothing, TAXES, etc.</p>
<p>you need to deal with the reality of the situation. It’s not pleasant, and it’s frustrating. I know. It’s very upsetting to have a high EFC when parents can’t/won’t pay for it. This is why many of us strongly advocate that students find out this info very early so that they can apply to schools that will work for them…thru merit scholarships, etc. </p>
<p>Did you apply to any other SUNY’s besides Bing? Does Bing give scholarships? </p>
<p>What are your stats?</p>
<p>Hopefully after you post your stats someone can recommend a school that might still give you a VERY generous merit scholarship.</p>
<p>GPA: 4.0
Rank: 2/95
SAT: 1590/2400
Hook: African American Female wanting to pursue engineering
Great recs and extracurricular activities with leadership roles. My college essay was unique and was about one of my hobbies.</p>
<p>I really want to go to RPI so bad. The schools I am waiting on are schools like Cornell and I have no idea if I’ll be accepted there and be able to afford it.</p>
<p>Have you contacted RPI and talked to them about your family’s inability to pay their $23k EFC? </p>
<p>Are there any special circumstances that you could present to RPI? Since you’re a female URM at a school that is lacking women and only has 2% African Americans, they may increase your grant.</p>
<p>What is the breakdown of RPI’s FA package?</p>
<p>and, what is the breakdown of your SAT?</p>
<p>Since Cornell doesn’t give merit scholarships, it will unlikely be affordable if you get accepted. You won’t have any way to cover the “family contribution”.</p>
<p>I haven’t contacted them yet about not being able to pay the $23,000. I not really sure how to word it so that it doesn’t sound bad.</p>
<p>The problem is that I don’t think I have any “special circumstances” that they will consider. Most of the reason my parents cannot pay is because they are in debt and the income they bring in each month is eliminated by bills. There hasn’t been any changes in jobs or anything like that since I applied for financial aid.</p>
<p>This is the financial aid award I recieved from RPI.
Rensselaer Leadership Awrd - $12600
Rensselaer Grant - $12200
Federal Perkins Loan - $1900
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan - $3500
Federal Direct Unsub. Loan - $2000
Federal College Work-Study - $2000</p>
<p>Here is my SAT breakdown:
10/2010, SAT Test 530 Reading 560 Math 480 Writing<br>
05/2010, SAT Test 550 Reading 500 Math 480 Writing
I know it’s not impressive and I feel that it is what is holding me back from more scholarship opportunities.</p>
<p>*I haven’t contacted them yet about not being able to pay the $23,000. I not really sure how to word it so that it doesn’t sound bad.</p>
<p>The problem is that I don’t think I have any “special circumstances” that they will consider. *</p>
<p>Hmmm…</p>
<p>I see what you mean that you can’t offer any special financial circumstances. However, they may still really want you because you are a female AA…and they obviously don’t have many attending their school. </p>
<p>You may need to send an email to Admissions and Scholarships simply saying that you really want to attend RPI and that it’s your number one choice, but it’s not financially an option at this point. </p>
<p>See how RPI responds. </p>
<p>I don’t have a lot of confidence since the FA package already has $7500 in loans, so it’s unlikely that they’re going to give you another $20k in free money. But, it won’t hurt to ask. </p>
<p>RPI seems like your best shot at getting more money since it is the most “female lite” school on your list. </p>
<p>Does SUNY Stony give merit scholarships? </p>
<p>My concern is that none of your schools are going to be affordable. If the SUNY’s don’t give you merit, I don’t see how you can afford them either unless you can commute. </p>
<p>Did you apply to any state schools that you can commute to?</p>
<p>How about going to CC for one year and then transferring to Rutgers? Likewise you could look at transfer to Penn State or Georgia Tech, all of which are pretty easy to get accepted to and offer stronger opportunities.</p>
<p>I think you need to talk to a lot of people, particularly your parents to get some more help with paying, the SUNY’s (Excellent schools for awesome prices), Rutgers, the RPI admissions (I hear that, if you sit down and talk to them about financial help, they will work very very well with you), and maybe even your local CC.</p>
<p>Good luck!! Hope you end up where you want to go, might see you there in a year =P</p>
<p>*How about going to CC for one year and then transferring to Rutgers? Likewise you could look at transfer to Penn State or Georgia Tech, all of which are pretty easy to get accepted to and offer stronger opportunities. *</p>
<p>Her problem won’t be “getting accepted”…her problem will be PAYING for those OOS publics.</p>
<p>Thanks for encouraging me to speak to RPI. I will give it a shot.
I hear that SUNY give out limited merit aid so I am not sure.
None of the schools being affordable is what I am worried about the most.
I live in NYC and the only state school I could commute to is Stony Brook.
I screwed up by not applying to any CC’s. I thought I wouldn’t have to go there because I am 2nd in the class and etc…I was wrong.</p>
<p>Thanks! I definitely have to start talking to a lot of people because I do not want to be in major trouble in May when I have to make my decision.</p>
<p>If you live in NYC, what about one of the CUNY’s? I live in Mass., so know nothing about them, but living at home and commuting would be your most cost-effective option and it’s an indirect way of getting more help from your parents.</p>
<p>Did you ever consider Cooper Union? Top engineering school, in Manhattan, free tuition. That free part makes it super-competitive, but your hook might give you a boost.</p>
<p>* screwed up by not applying to any CC’s. I thought I wouldn’t have to go there because I am 2nd in the class and etc…I was wrong. *</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s too late to apply to some CCs. Usually they don’t have early deadlines, so check on those.</p>
<p>*If you’re second in your class, try to find a way to avoid the CC. talk to your parents about paying again. *</p>
<p>Her parents are most likely very aware that she’s second in her class. That won’t change their financial situation of what they can spend. Vloria has also noted that they feel that a college education is the student’s responsibility.</p>
*</p>