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

[Anonymous]

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!

[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!

Wrong approach. You need to apply and let it play out.

[Anonymous]

Don't know about the amounts, but you probably also need to look at other geographies. Your DC doesn't bring much to the table to a relatively local school. For merit aid they want something distinctive - high scores, diverse geography, etc. Just a decent GPA isn't going to do it.

[Anonymous]

DS did, but he is a musician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS did, but he is a musician.

Where?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

Wrong approach. You need to apply and let it play out.

No, not wrong approach. We did the "apply first and hope" with older DC and ended up with a bunch of merit aid packages of $5K to $25K, not enough to bring the cost of private schools within reach of our budget. (DC#1 did apply to more selective colleges than the ones DC#2 is considering, though.)

I'm curious if any kids got big packages from not-very-selective privates (most of the ones I listed above have 60% or higher acceptance rates).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS did, but he is a musician.

Where?

Oberlin

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't know about the amounts, but you probably also need to look at other geographies. Your DC doesn't bring much to the table to a relatively local school. For merit aid they want something distinctive - high scores, diverse geography, etc. Just a decent GPA isn't going to do it.

Hmmm. We've been thinking about this and wondering if we should consider some in the midwest like Wooster, Antioch, Ohio Wesleyan, etc. (But DC#1 only got $25K from Denison (Ohio), which was not enough for our budget.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS did, but he is a musician.

Where?

Oberlin

Oberlin is a great school! How much merit aid did they give him? And what was his GPA?

(I'm not sure DS would get into Oberlin with his math scores, though. Actors don't get much merit aid, I'm guessing.)

[Anonymous]

Yes, DC did - $100,000 over four years but I'd rather not say where. One of the little known secrets is that College Board and ACT sell their scores. So if your child scores very high and has listed some qualities that a particular school wants (on the questions starting at the top of the tests), then schools can buy the lists and solicit. DC participated in well known leadership program during the summer so received unsolicited offers from military academies. I'm assuming that list was purchased or newspapers were just scanned. DC scored extremely well on the ACT so has been receiving "pre-application" offers of scholarships. But they are not from schools DC wants to attend. The schools either need the high ACT scores to boost their ratings on the US News & World Report or they need males or they need minorities, etc.

[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!

Look at Lawrence University in Wisconsin. Their President came over from Princeton.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Has your child participated in any theater competitions? There are state wide and international high school thespian society events. Virginia's was last week and a Loudoun County School did very well. At these events are colleges that are recruiting and offer scholarships of the magnitude you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, DC did - $100,000 over four years but I'd rather not say where. One of the little known secrets is that College Board and ACT sell their scores. So if your child scores very high and has listed some qualities that a particular school wants (on the questions starting at the top of the tests), then schools can buy the lists and solicit. DC participated in well known leadership program during the summer so received unsolicited offers from military academies. I'm assuming that list was purchased or newspapers were just scanned. DC scored extremely well on the ACT so has been receiving "pre-application" offers of scholarships. But they are not from schools DC wants to attend. The schools either need the high ACT scores to boost their ratings on the US News & World Report or they need males or they need minorities, etc.

OP here. $100K over four years will not meet our budget at a private college. Most cost $60K or more now, even the relatively small, not very selective ones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, DC did - $100,000 over four years but I'd rather not say where. One of the little known secrets is that College Board and ACT sell their scores. So if your child scores very high and has listed some qualities that a particular school wants (on the questions starting at the top of the tests), then schools can buy the lists and solicit. DC participated in well known leadership program during the summer so received unsolicited offers from military academies. I'm assuming that list was purchased or newspapers were just scanned. DC scored extremely well on the ACT so has been receiving "pre-application" offers of scholarships. But they are not from schools DC wants to attend. The schools either need the high ACT scores to boost their ratings on the US News & World Report or they need males or they need minorities, etc.

OP here. $100K over four years will not meet our budget at a private college. Most cost $60K or more now, even the relatively small, not very selective ones.

You apply and see what happens. If not, he chooses a school in your budget or you/he take out loans.