Engineering school recommendation that gives a lot of need-based aid

[Anonymous]

Looking for recommendation for a relative of mine who is a senior this year. His mom is disabled (had a stroke), dad is divorced and not paying child support. So, FAFSA will just be mom's income which is social security disability (so almost nothing).

He lives in New England, currently full-ride to small private high school. Will graduate with a high GPA, class president, multi-sport athlete, and just a great kid. He got a 1390 on SAT but wants to retake it and likely will get a little higher. He wants to study engineering or astrophysics, and will need a school that gives excellent aid, ideally meeting full need covering housing and some expenses like books or travel.

He's aiming really high like MIT and UChicago, but I think those are reaches. I would love to suggest some schools that provide really good financial aid and that he's likely to get into.

What suggestions do you all have? This is a really great family and I would love to point them in some good directions.

[Anonymous]

Fortunately/unfortunately, it is these highly selective schools that will offer the most generous aid (close to a full ride) for low income students.
Northwestern, Brown, Cornell.
Will this student apply via Questbridge?

[Anonymous]

He should add Princeton and Hopkins to the list

What state is he in? He should apply to state schools as well

He should try to get the SAT up.

What exactly do you mean by high gpa? What is it and does his school provide weighted and unweighted or just unweighted?

[Anonymous]

Try Lehigh, Lafayette, and Bucknell. All three have good engineering programs and he should be in top percentiles for top awards. Also try Stanford and other ivy’s with engineering. With his background story, the counselors at his private should be a big help to him. Dartmouth also.

[Anonymous]

For FAFSA, the dad will be included.
(recent change)

Is the student considering a military academy? It is not too late- but will really need to move on this. The student you are describing is a good fit (not due to need for aid - but a good match). From New England, Air Force or Annapolis are easier due to proximity. There are more people familiar with West Point.

Wash U is known for being generous with financial aid.

[Anonymous]

OP here. New Hampshire. I don't know how high his GPA is or if the GPA is weighted or unweighted. His mom just said "A's" when I asked, but speech is difficult for her and we didn't have a long conversation about it. He has a full scholarship now, so they must be good. It's a small school -- like 75 kids per class.

He knows better SAT scores will help him and is going to take them again soon.

But I think he should apply to basically all the schools that give full aid he is likely to get into. His mom would love it if he stays close, so maybe not anything west coast, but def. Midwest and east coast would be good matches.

[Anonymous]

Interesting on FAFSA. Even if they are divorced and he pays no spousal support or child aid? I heard he doesn't make much either, but I don't know details. He's a jerk who divorced his wife after she had a stroke so I'm no longer in touch.

[Anonymous]

I'm going to tell her about QuestBridge. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

There are college counselors that are free that target lower income students - do a search for "Scholar Match" I think they are out of California but they do work with students from across the US. Please do the legwork now as some applications will be closing.
One phrase to search is "Community Based Organizations"
There are programs for "Rural" students - not sure what part of New Hampshire they are in

[Anonymous]

My DC’s friend who lived with a sibling and had no parent in his daily life got a full ride to Purdue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting on FAFSA. Even if they are divorced and he pays no spousal support or child aid? I heard he doesn't make much either, but I don't know details. He's a jerk who divorced his wife after she had a stroke so I'm no longer in touch.

Here is the deal - many private schools will look beyond the FAFSA form to the student.
If there is a situation, the private schools with deeper pockets will be able to fill the gap more than state schools.

Here is a link to colleges with great aid. You also want to look for colleges that are loan free AND cover room and board.
https://blog.prepscholar.com/colleges-that-offer-complete-financial-aid

There are also colleges that will give students a one time stipend for move in as well as colleges that make sure you are able to engage with campus culture (like study abroad programs)

I know you are just a friend trying to help out - but these are some of the phrases / things to look for.

[Anonymous]

The test scores will hurt him for the majors he is interested in, unless the math score is much higher than the English. I would have him apply to at least some need blind that take a high percentage test optional, like Vandy and Emory. MIT is test required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The test scores will hurt him for the majors he is interested in, unless the math score is much higher than the English. I would have him apply to at least some need blind that take a high percentage test optional, like Vandy and Emory. MIT is test required.

Adding Dartmouth also test required.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. New Hampshire. I don't know how high his GPA is or if the GPA is weighted or unweighted. His mom just said "A's" when I asked, but speech is difficult for her and we didn't have a long conversation about it. He has a full scholarship now, so they must be good. It's a small school -- like 75 kids per class.

He knows better SAT scores will help him and is going to take them again soon.

But I think he should apply to basically all the schools that give full aid he is likely to get into. His mom would love it if he stays close, so maybe not anything west coast, but def. Midwest and east coast would be good matches.

So I would look into Questbridge first. This seems like a good fit for that. Pursue that. Also, bump that SAT score up a bit. High 1400s are good. 1500+ would be better. There are good online resources for how to study. It really is just learning little tricks.

Consider applying for a ROTC scholarship. It's a huge bump for competitive schools. It's a long process. Very competitive. Fitness and community service are a big part of it. But it's accessible to everyone.

Completely ignore the mom and the detached father. This seems to be a talented kid. Don't let the parents take him down.

There really are a ton of schools that would love to have this kid attend. Get all the scores up. Write an awesome essay. Get some great recommendations. And look up the high endowment per student schools. Those are the one's that are going to make it work. Don't be scared by a $98,000 price tag. Choose one to apply Early Decision. Have a few other Early Actions ready to go. And go for it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all for help. To clarify, his mom is awesome and amazing in every way. He won't qualify for Scholar Match because he's not a first generation college student. Mom has an advanced degree, just can't work anymore because of a stroke and is full disability, and has language processing issues, so it's harder for her to help him. I am just trying to provide them with some good tips and suggestions to think about.

The list of schools that give full aid is terrific, thank you.