Miami of Ohio
Dennison
Kenyon
Northwestern
University of Chicago

All have good FA. Deadlines are around January 1st for regular decision. She needs to get started on her Common App essay.

State U's will be cheaper, but won't offer as much FA.

Best of luck to your relative, OP.

Anonymous wrote:OP, Smith College has a really interesting program -- the Ada Comstock Scholars Program. I don't know if she fully fits the profile, but it is really a life-changing program for the right women. It might be worth considering.

I do not think that program is for students right out of HS. It is for older returning women I think.

In addition to Beloit, she might also consider:

Wooster
Kalamazoo
Knox
Wittenberg
College of the Ozarks
DePauw
St. Olaf
Lawrence
Gustavus Adolphus
Earlham
Illinois Wesleyan
Albion
Augustana
Cornell (IA)

Thanks for the information. Beloit is the type of school I was thinking of for her. Grandma is a college grad so she isn't technically first generation. Kiddo knows she needs to get moving quickly and is on it.

The I'm First website also has useful info-mostly for first-gen students, but it would also be useful for a low-income, non-first-gen student.

http://www.imfirst.org/

Anonymous wrote:OP, Smith College has a really interesting program -- the Ada Comstock Scholars Program. I don't know if she fully fits the profile, but it is really a life-changing program for the right women. It might be worth considering.

I believe this program is for non-traditional aged students (over 25 when applying). But, I agree that women's colleges can be a good option, many offer generous aid. Mount Holyoke might be one to check out.

Beloit College is a school in the midwest with a reputation for being generous with aid. There was also a piece recently in the New York Times that graphed schools that enroll a high number of Pell recipients and give generous aid. I work for a college access non-profit, and there isn't an easy to use roundup of schools that offer the most generous aid to low-income students. If she were competitive at the very top tier schools, it would be pretty easy for her to get a great financial aid offer, but for students applying to strong but non-elite schools it's a lot more complicated. I believe College Possible is a big college access org located in the midwest, you might check out their website.

It does sound like you are doing the right things, good luck!

You cannot generalize financial aid-all schools are different. Every college website has something called a Net Price Calculator where you can plug in your financial numbers to get an idea of what aid you might receive. This can assist you in your application process. Do you know her SAT/ACT/GPA? HIgh stats can bring in more $$. The student is a senior? Considering it is almost November, the student needs to get busy quickly.

Colleges do take note of first generation college students.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for the replies.

I'm looking into a consultant but want to get them reading material as well. So much has changed since I went to college grad school in 80's and 90's. I'm a step relative so not close with her but am helping someone else close to her. She has several cousins in college now but none needed FA so I'm trying to find a good book to help her and her mom get educated quickly.

Good point about looking outside the Midwest.

Looks like a great program but she is graduating high school and it looks like you need to be 24 for the program ( unless I read too quickly).

No, I think you're right -- that's part of what I meant about not fully fitting the profile. But keep it in mind if things don't go the way she plans right out of high school. Maybe other schools have similar programs, but with looser age restrictions. Good for you for helping her out.

Thanks for the replies.

I'm looking into a consultant but want to get them reading material as well. So much has changed since I went to college grad school in 80's and 90's. I'm a step relative so not close with her but am helping someone else close to her. She has several cousins in college now but none needed FA so I'm trying to find a good book to help her and her mom get educated quickly.

Good point about looking outside the Midwest.

Looks like a great program but she is graduating high school and it looks like you need to be 24 for the program ( unless I read too quickly).

OP, Smith College has a really interesting program -- the Ada Comstock Scholars Program. I don't know if she fully fits the profile, but it is really a life-changing program for the right women. It might be worth considering.

Anonymous wrote:TIA! I hope you can help. A relative is a senior at very good high school in the Midwest. She had planned to go to junior college for 2 years for financial reasons and then transfer to a 4 year school to finish. She has now decided that she wants to go away (I think it will be great for her). However, she will only be able to do this if she gets lots of financial aid (qualifying won't be an issue). Her mom had her young (single parent) and didn't go to college so I am trying to help point them in the right direction. I have directed them to the book Colleges that Change Lives and College Confidential. I have also told them that she could potentially get more aid from a private school than a public school. She is a bright kid (although not a rocket scientist) with decent grades. Her biggest draw will be her essay b/c she has a great story to tell. Her mom didn't always make the best choices. Her father made terrible choices. She went to a school with tons of rich kids and she, her mom and her sister lived with her grandparents. There is a lot more to it but I think a small non top tier (or whatever the correct terminology is) private school will see her for the gem she is. So, these are my questions:

1. Is there a definitive book on the financial aid process? There were so many on Amazon that I didn't know which one to buy her.
2. Is there a book describing colleges with good financial aid programs. There is no reason for her to apply to colleges without one.
3. Any schools you would recommend. For financial reasons, she should probably stay in the Midwest.
4. Any websites other than college confidential.

Thanks again!

This might be a point to reconsider. Sometimes it's the colleges farthest from home that offer the best packages because they are intent on creating geographic diversity in the class. I know a girl from here who was a fine but far from superstar student who got offered some very generous packages from California schools--Univ. of Redlands particularly--because they didn't get many East Coast applicants. Keep all options open!

Perhaps as a gift you could buy them a session with a college/financial aid consultant in their area?

TIA! I hope you can help. A relative is a senior at very good high school in the Midwest. She had planned to go to junior college for 2 years for financial reasons and then transfer to a 4 year school to finish. She has now decided that she wants to go away (I think it will be great for her). However, she will only be able to do this if she gets lots of financial aid (qualifying won't be an issue). Her mom had her young (single parent) and didn't go to college so I am trying to help point them in the right direction. I have directed them to the book Colleges that Change Lives and College Confidential. I have also told them that she could potentially get more aid from a private school than a public school. She is a bright kid (although not a rocket scientist) with decent grades. Her biggest draw will be her essay b/c she has a great story to tell. Her mom didn't always make the best choices. Her father made terrible choices. She went to a school with tons of rich kids and she, her mom and her sister lived with her grandparents. There is a lot more to it but I think a small non top tier (or whatever the correct terminology is) private school will see her for the gem she is. So, these are my questions:

1. Is there a definitive book on the financial aid process? There were so many on Amazon that I didn't know which one to buy her.
2. Is there a book describing colleges with good financial aid programs. There is no reason for her to apply to colleges without one.
3. Any schools you would recommend. For financial reasons, she should probably stay in the Midwest.
4. Any websites other than college confidential.

Thanks again!