Did anyone get more than $30K in merit aid at private college?

[Anonymous]

What about Miami of Ohio? DC got a lot of postcards from them that basically said that with his scores and grades he'd get a full ride (I assume we'd have to pay room and board). DC did have high scores (and grades) but they had a scale of aid depending on the combination of the two. We didn't test it so not sure what the catch is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op, you ask a very reasonable question. With the same uw GPA and 710 math as a STEM major, DD got 1/2 OOS tuition at a flagship public and 1/3 off at a STEM focused private. Those were 2 very good (money) results out of 10. We would never have been able to anticipate the end results, so I'd advise to apply widely. Just make sure DC has financial safeties from which to choose. A problem your DC will have is Theatre is such a competitive major, students are lucky to get into the major at all.

Hmmm. Thank you. Good to know. DS is thinking of coming up with something different than a straight theater major to differentiate himself. But it's good to know there may be some OOS options. The problem for us is our budget is capped at $25K per year, so 1/3 off a private is not going to be enough. sigh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Miami of Ohio? DC got a lot of postcards from them that basically said that with his scores and grades he'd get a full ride (I assume we'd have to pay room and board). DC did have high scores (and grades) but they had a scale of aid depending on the combination of the two. We didn't test it so not sure what the catch is.

Not on the list, but I'll check it out. I used the USNews and NYTimes lists of schools that offer at least 25% of their students merit aid, and I don't remember seeing Miami of Ohio on the list. But if you are getting solicitations from them, it's worth exploring. I know a kid who is there now and loves it. Her grades are not anywhere near as good as DS's grades though. I think of it as a party school, because this kid is a partier, but that's all I know about the school.

[Anonymous]

How much is your public option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, you ask a very reasonable question. With the same uw GPA and 710 math as a STEM major, DD got 1/2 OOS tuition at a flagship public and 1/3 off at a STEM focused private. Those were 2 very good (money) results out of 10. We would never have been able to anticipate the end results, so I'd advise to apply widely. Just make sure DC has financial safeties from which to choose. A problem your DC will have is Theatre is such a competitive major, students are lucky to get into the major at all.

Hmmm. Thank you. Good to know. DS is thinking of coming up with something different than a straight theater major to differentiate himself. But it's good to know there may be some OOS options. The problem for us is our budget is capped at $25K per year, so 1/3 off a private is not going to be enough. sigh.

Why is your budget capped at 25K per year? Will your child take out loans to move the 25K max? Will you get any FA?

[Anonymous]

If you are capped at 25k, look at IS options. What is your IS option?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, you ask a very reasonable question. With the same uw GPA and 710 math as a STEM major, DD got 1/2 OOS tuition at a flagship public and 1/3 off at a STEM focused private. Those were 2 very good (money) results out of 10. We would never have been able to anticipate the end results, so I'd advise to apply widely. Just make sure DC has financial safeties from which to choose. A problem your DC will have is Theatre is such a competitive major, students are lucky to get into the major at all.

Hmmm. Thank you. Good to know. DS is thinking of coming up with something different than a straight theater major to differentiate himself. But it's good to know there may be some OOS options. The problem for us is our budget is capped at $25K per year, so 1/3 off a private is not going to be enough. sigh.

Why is your budget capped at 25K per year? Will your child take out loans to move the 25K max? Will you get any FA?

Not eligible for FA. Won't take out loans or let our kids take out loans. So our kids go in-state or OOS with merit aid. Just trying to find OOS options, should there be any, for DC#2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are capped at 25k, look at IS options. What is your IS option?

If you read my original post, I said we're looking at in state options. Need some OOS options, that's all.

[Anonymous]

Can you give more details on his stats? GPA (w and uw), test scores/sub scores?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS is a junior. We're starting the college search. We don't qualify for FA, but can't afford more than $25K per year.

He's applying in-state, but wants a few more options. (3.87 unweighted gpa, but poor PSAT math scores, probably English/theater major). He's considering East Coast schools that offer merit aid like Juniata, Ursinus, U Vermont, Allegheny, Lesley, Fairfield, Muhlenberg, Mary Washington, Saint Michael's, Clark, Washington College (MD), College of New Jersey, etc.

BUT, I'm wondering, has ANYONE with similar stats received more than $30K in merit aid at any of these or similar private colleges? Anyone received in-state price at public OOS schools?

I don't want to waste our time applying if there's no hope that merit aid awards will bring DS's cost down to around $25K.

Thanks!

You gave no stats other than his UW GPA. PSAT scores do not count unless you are NMSF/NMF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op, you ask a very reasonable question. With the same uw GPA and 710 math as a STEM major, DD got 1/2 OOS tuition at a flagship public and 1/3 off at a STEM focused private. Those were 2 very good (money) results out of 10. We would never have been able to anticipate the end results, so I'd advise to apply widely. Just make sure DC has financial safeties from which to choose. A problem your DC will have is Theatre is such a competitive major, students are lucky to get into the major at all.

Hmmm. Thank you. Good to know. DS is thinking of coming up with something different than a straight theater major to differentiate himself. But it's good to know there may be some OOS options. The problem for us is our budget is capped at $25K per year, so 1/3 off a private is not going to be enough. sigh.

Why is your budget capped at 25K per year? Will your child take out loans to move the 25K max? Will you get any FA?

Not eligible for FA. Won't take out loans or let our kids take out loans. So our kids go in-state or OOS with merit aid. Just trying to find OOS options, should there be any, for DC#2.

Everyone takes out loans...I still have 60K! That's the reality of being a millennial.

[Anonymous]

Look for schools where your DC's stats will put him well above top 25%tile. CDS will provide info you need.

[Anonymous]

Northland College gives rather generous aid. Good English department, and a community theater one town over in addition to college productions. You can use their cost estimater to get a rough idea of what aid would likely be offered based on your kid's scores and gps, your income, etc.

I will say, please consider the federal loan program. The amounts that can be borrowed at a fairly low amount. Your child will not suffer crippling debt if they that the federal loans.

[Anonymous]

I say this as an English major myself...why on earth would you be considering spending so much money on an English/theater major at a private college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northland College gives rather generous aid. Good English department, and a community theater one town over in addition to college productions. You can use their cost estimater to get a rough idea of what aid would likely be offered based on your kid's scores and gps, your income, etc.

I will say, please consider the federal loan program. The amounts that can be borrowed at a fairly low amount. Your child will not suffer crippling debt if they that the federal loans.

That's only true if the amount is really low. Being saddled with educational debt is terrible.