How did you structure paying for college if you are middle class or child with mediocre grades?

[Anonymous]

Parent of a junior here - DC frittered away first two years of HS and has a cumulative under a 3.0.

DC is clearly not going to get any merit aid based on first two years, though grades this year are looking way up. DH and I are not wealthy. We had always anticipated some combination of student loans, merit aid, etc.

Now, its becoming clear to me that just getting in might be a challenge. Any tips for us?

Based on DC's lack of effort, I'm not enthused about funding a full ride- would like to structure some financial participation on DC's end too as well as ours and I don't want it to be at a 40k liberal arts college...

Any tips from people who've BTDT or encountering the same scenario?

[Anonymous]

Are you sure college is the right choice at this point?

[Anonymous]

Community college for the first two years and a part-time job? So you can see how he handles the workload before committing, and if he does well in community college he can transfer to a good state school and finish the degree there.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you could make paying for college contingent on them pulling their grades up to a 3.0 or above. Once you are above 3.0, there are more options, and that will prove that they are mature enough to stop goofing around and take college seriously. If they don't uphold that end of the bargain, then say "you can go to community college and work part time." And seconding the other in-state Maryland options besides college park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Community college for the first two years and a part-time job? So you can see how he handles the workload before committing, and if he does well in community college he can transfer to a good state school and finish the degree there.

This. Look at good CCs where many credits will transfer to the state university. Getting in as a transfer with good grades from CC may be easier as well since by then DC will have a defined major and proven capable of college level work. The benefit of CC is also smaller classes for 101 levels than a big school (not a small LAC obviously).
A good goal now is to get out of college with a marketable skill and as little debt as possible which will out DC above his/her peers in flexibility in the job marketplace.

[Anonymous]

PP here. This is all speaking from personal experience as someone who dropped the ball junior year. Went to MC (met some dedicated teachers and students) transferred to MD for engineering. Finished well and have a great job in a field I love with no debt (merit $ at MD).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Community college for the first two years and a part-time job? So you can see how he handles the workload before committing, and if he does well in community college he can transfer to a good state school and finish the degree there.

(Not OP) I would sort of like to do this but my kid goes to a Big 3 and no one goes to CC. It just isn't done. He wouldst be humiliated (as would I)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Community college for the first two years and a part-time job? So you can see how he handles the workload before committing, and if he does well in community college he can transfer to a good state school and finish the degree there.

(Not OP) I would sort of like to do this but my kid goes to a Big 3 and no one goes to CC. It just isn't done. He wouldst be humiliated (as would I)

I guess this is why some kids do a year at fancy, expensive prep schools, so Mom and Dad won't be humiliated.

You must have a very fragile ego.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Community college for the first two years and a part-time job? So you can see how he handles the workload before committing, and if he does well in community college he can transfer to a good state school and finish the degree there.

(Not OP) I would sort of like to do this but my kid goes to a Big 3 and no one goes to CC. It just isn't done. He wouldst be humiliated (as would I)

I get that really. But is not being humiliated worth $30+K or worse going to a college that would not serve the kid well in the long run whereas the year in CC can offer more options later?

[Anonymous]

There a bunch of strategies:
Applying after a gap year
Canadian universities, which are cheaper
Applying to out of state publics with lower average SATs than your kid has
The community college is probably the most straightforward

[Anonymous]

As others have pointed out--gap year, community college, etc. College might not be something he will take seriously, and there's no sense wasting $40,000 to figure that out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Parent of a junior here - DC frittered away first two years of HS and has a cumulative under a 3.0.

DC is clearly not going to get any merit aid based on first two years, though grades this year are looking way up. DH and I are not wealthy. We had always anticipated some combination of student loans, merit aid, etc.

Now, its becoming clear to me that just getting in might be a challenge. Any tips for us?

Based on DC's lack of effort, I'm not enthused about funding a full ride- would like to structure some financial participation on DC's end too as well as ours and I don't want it to be at a 40k liberal arts college...

Any tips from people who've BTDT or encountering the same scenario?

We had always anticipated some combination of student loans, merit aid, etc.


Entitled much ?

[Anonymous]

Community college for a year or two before transferring if grades improve.

[Anonymous]

There's nothing wrong with community college. Yes it might be frowned upon by some people but Jesus, it's your life, not theirs!!!!

Just wow.

[Anonymous]

What state do you live in OP?