Parents have $0 saved for college, won't qualify for financial aid

[Anonymous]

If you reach certain GPA and test score University of Alabama is practically tuition free

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a high schooler who frequently stalks the college forum for advice, and the thread about kids having to pay their own way got me thinking about my own circumstances. My parents have no money saved for my college education, so I will need to rely heavily on trying to get scholarship money. However, they combined make $300k and our house is worth well over $1 million, so FAFSA and any need-based financial aid is pretty much out of the question. Putting our info into the calculators usually only gets me an average of $5-10k in need-based aid. I just don't know what to do. I have high stats and decent ECs. I have a job and work two in the summer. My dream schools (Hopkins, NYU, Columbia, MIT) are wayyy too expensive. I've considered ROTC but I don't think the military is really for me. I just really want to go to a school that I love but will also give me enough money so I can attend, and I think the only schools that I can get fantastic scholarship money at are going to be at southern schools . Does anyone have any recommendations for great colleges that give great merit scholarships? I'm in VA but I don't like most of the in-state schools with the exception of W&M

Many of the private "top" schools, and even top state schools, give no merit or only a small amount. So I would not count on that. That is going to leave you with the option of crushing loans (do not recommend), community college to a 4 year college, or look outside the Hopkins, NYU, etc. bracket. My DD got in to one of the schools you listed, as well as one other, and there was no merit aid whatsoever (and we did not qualify for FA). So she is at a small VA school, in the honors program. She's having a great experience, got a ton of merit, and will graduate debt free (we are paying the difference). Don't sleep on the Lynchburg, Mary Washington, CNU, Roanoke, etc. schools. And don't get sucked into "brand name" as it almost certainly does not matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whatever you do begin with the end in mind. Can you get any job shadowing or intern experiences? Any work connections from a friend of a friend? A school helps give you a network for jobs prestige won't pay your bills unless it gets you a better job.

I plan to major in pre-med, pysch, or neuro so I'm shadowing a few doctors this summer

0 work connections that are in any way related to what I want to do

You should rethink ROTC. It will pay for your school, all of it, including med school- if you get it. The military is a very special place to learn and practice medicine and you will gain experience and skills not possible in civilian sector.

Having said that, it is NOT for everyone. For lots of reasons. And if OP knows that, then it's best they don't. ROTC is a LOT (I know several kids doing it) and now they'll be in for active duty repayment with a warmongering POTUS in office.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do community college and then transfer to a 4 year institution. Apply for scholarships then.

You also have to deal with the cards you are dealt. The most important thing is to get a degree, you may
Need to look at different options. Go visit schools in the South. You may like them.

Good luck.

You could work and attend community college until you can declare yourself independent from your parents.

https://www.fastweb.com/financial-aid/articles/how-do-i-become-independent-on-the-fafsa-if-i-am-under-age-24

[Anonymous]

Beggars can’t be choosers as the saying goes. Apply to a few of your reaches. Maybe you get accepted and your parents decide to pay because they are so proud of your accomplishment and get to brag to all of their friends. As a backup plan, research schools that will offer you almost a free experience. It doesn’t matter where they are. Look at university of Alabama, Troy University and, yes, other universities in the south. A friend‘s daughter attends Troy, as it is essentially free, including room and board. She is saving her money for grad school. So far, she is a huge fish in a small pond. Dean’s list every semester, professors love her, president of her sorority as a sophomore. She is killing it, and will have lots of opportunities to go to the grad school of her choice. Don’t worry about school name or reputation. Worry about attending a school that you can afford. If you are motivated, you’ll do great things and create a wonderful life for yourself. We are lucky that, for the most part, the school that you attend does not define your future. My husband attended a small Baptist school in North Carolina that no one has heard of. He started his career working for a small, local bank and is now a multimillionaire. No one we know would ever guess. It truly is what you do with your skills and degree.

[Anonymous]

West Point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the eyeroll for "southern schools?"

I was just going to post this same question. Op, please explain.

I want to work in the Northeast after grad + South is way too red

You sound ignorant and not very well traveled. FYI Virginia is also red.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So much of this depends on whether your parents are willing to help pay or not. If so, you all could easily cash flow W&M, no need for community college. If not, you are almost definitely looking at community college or a much lower ranked school that will offer a lot of money for high stats (there are plenty, and can even be good experiences).

They tell me it's because they can't afford it, but I'm pretty sure it's because they're not willing + resentful that their parents made them pay their own way to college, but they both got really good in-state deals

I'm sorry you are in this position.

First, VA does have really great in-state options. W&M is fantastic, and you could apply early there for an extra boost.

Second, there are a lot of schools that offer merit aid to high stats students.

Third, out of the box suggestion, maybe consider going abroad where costs are lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why the eyeroll for "southern schools?"

I was just going to post this same question. Op, please explain.

I want to work in the Northeast after grad + South is way too red

You sound ignorant and not very well traveled. FYI Virginia is also red.

You sound ignorant and defensive. This student is not wrong. If they want to work in the NE, they should not go to school in the South. Also, VA is not red. Some consider it blue. Personally, I think purple is more accurate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Oh they definitely prioritize education: they get mad if I get an A- on a test. Which clearly won't even matter if I'll wind up at CC anyways.

Farthest south that I'd be happy with going is Chapel Hill, which I think in a normal situation would be a great target. But there's no way given the current state of the country I'd be willing to go to Alabama or Florida or Texas.

I absolutely understand your feelings about this but you should be a bit more open minded about the financial freedom you this could give you. A kid in an honors college at any sec is going to be surrounded by like minded academic students while being propped up by huge merit awards plus a lower cost of living.

I know it’s easy to be idealistic at 17 but you have to look at real world solutions since your parents have truly screwed you over here. Get a full ride on merit (anywhere you can but the sec is your best choice) stand out there in undergrad,since it will be easier in a less competitive environment, and go for prestige in grad program.

It’s tough to hear but you aren’t the only high stats kid that can’t go to a T20 for whatever reason. You want a solution that doesn’t include a CC or crippling debt well this is it.

I would suggest reading the book "Dream Schools". You can probably find it at your local library. It will help you re-frame this type of choice in a more positive light.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:West Point.

Or Air Force or Navy. Seems like the obvious solution for a smart kid with negligent parents.

[Anonymous]

Year-old post, folks.

[Anonymous]

Look at New Mexico