<p>I thought I had applied to financial safeties, but now I'm worried. I have received acceptances from SMU, Southwestern, Baylor, Trinity U, and University of Alabama and recieved high merit scholarships from all of them. However, there is not way my parents can afford to pay the remainder (I even got the full tuition from UA, but it's still around 19k for the room, board, etc). I'm still waiting to here from Rhodes, Rice, WUSTL, Northwestern, and Yale.</p>
<p>My parent's income is around 87k yearly, and so even paying for 20k per year is way out the question. Some of these schools have full-rides that they give in Feb., but that's for only around 20 students. If I don't recieve those full-rides, I'm iffy about how to afford college.</p>
<p>Are there any outside scholarships you can direct me to, or schools that give true full rides? Or do any of you have advice about how to afford college (I already have a job)? I've done a lot of research, but I'm wondering if I'm missing out on any opportunities. I have a 4.0 GPA and a 35 on the ACT, if that helps. Thank you so much in advance! :)</p>
<p>Oh and I received an acceptance with merit from Truman State as well, but my parents could probably barely afford the room and board fees. The highest they can pay is around 6k-7k per year because my sister is also in college currently.</p>
<p>What is your home state, and what do you plan to study in college? Have you run the Net Price Calculators at the meet-full-need schools?</p>
<p>If your tutiion is paid, $19K sounds steep to me for COA for you. About $15K is more like it and you can probably shave money off of that. That’s about what room and board will cost you just about anywere unless you commute. You can borrow $5500 Stafford Direct loan funds for this freshman years, more in future years, and work and earn the rest with your parents chipping in. In future years, living in cheap off campus digs and preparing your own meals or trying to get a RA position will mitigate those costs.</p>
<p>The other alternative is to commute. Look at your local choices.</p>
<p>My home state is Texas and I plan to major in Biochemistry (pre-med). I know, 19k sounded like a lot to me too! I’m not sure why the other costs added up to that much, but that’s what UA’s Net Price Calculator said. Rice’s Net Price Calculator said that we would pay 9k per year, which might work for my family.</p>
<p>Thanks for the help guys! :)</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the deadlines for many of the best scholarships have already passed. If you are genuinely concerned that you will not have a financially viable option, you could consider Louisiana Tech, as you would be guaranteed a full ride there if you apply by January 5th. You might also look at UT Dallas, which gives a lot of merit aid, but I’m not sure of their deadlines.</p>
<p>What did you score on the PSAT? I would expect someone with your stats to be a contender for National Merit.</p>
<p><a href=“I%20even%20got%20the%20full%20tuition%20from%20UA,%20but%20it’s%20still%20around%2019k%20for%20the%20room,%20board,%20etc”>I</a>*</p>
<p>No…it doesn’t cost that much. If you choose the standard double and frosh meal plan, and are careful buying books, the cost is much less.</p>
<p>UA pads its COA a LOT so that parents can borrow the max if needed. The priciest dorm is included and all the other priciest stuff is included. </p>
<p>With your parents contribution, a 5500 student loan, and maybe some summer earnings, you could have your costs covered. </p>
<p>Frosh year is the most expensive since the priciest meal plan is req’d. After that, Bama doesn’t even require a meal plan.</p>
<p>Also…since you do have an ACT 35, it’s not unusual for Bama to award an add’l $4k per year on top. PM me and I’ll tell you more about it and who you should contact to have a better chance at getting it…this needs to be addressed soon, while Bama still has extra funds to give away…</p>