AsianGinger

So my best friend's dream school is about 1000 miles away from home and his parents refuse to let him go to school more than a 5 hour drive away. He was accepted to his dream school yesterday, and the first thing his parents said, instead of "Congrats" was "you're not going."

His family's situation will get him some financial aid, but not enough that it would budge his parent's decision. We think that if he gets enough money, they might reconsider. Or of course, if he gets a full scholarship, there isn't much they can do about it.

So I might be crazy for asking this, but this seems like a fairly common situation, so I was wondering if there are any scholarships out there specifically for students whose families can afford his tuition, but refuse to pay for a certain school. Thanks, and sorry if this is a dumb question.

4kidsdad

That would be the merit scholarships

KKmama

He can get merit scholarships, perhaps, if his grades and test scores fall into the range the school sets for those.

There are no scholarships for kids whose parents CAN pay but WON'T pay. All need-based scholarships consider the income and assests of the parents. It's a terrible thing for kids like your friend, but think about it: if they had those types of scholarships, then many parents would refuse to pay for their kid's tuition.

He is going to have to look at school closer to home, and schools that offer merit scholarships.

MommaJ

I disagree KKmama. It's not a "terrible thing" for OP's friend. It was foolish of him to apply to a "dream school" so far away when he knew perfectly well that his parents would say no. Certainly there must be some fine alternatives within the 5 hour radius--that's a lot of populated territory unless you live in Alaska or Hawaii. If you have unrealistic dreams, you have to be prepared for them not to come true. And of course the whole concept of a "dream school" is nonsense anyway.

cptofthehouse

Ah, we all dream. Why not? I don't think it's nonsense. What we try to do is to have a bit of a balance and not turn a dream school or dream anything into an unhealthy or harmful obsession.

I've seen this before when a student gets accepted to a school, and the parents say, "no way". I know of at lease three of them at those types of schools. The initial reactions are not always the final word.

It's a bit early for acceptances so this must be a rolling admissions program. As others have said, financial aid is for those who have need, so anyone else who want money has to go the merit route. Your friend should certainly check out what the school has available.

KKmama

Asianginger, It's also important for your friend to realize that he can find himself very happy at another school. My younger daughter was very disappointed when she could not afford to attend her first choice of school. Her first year she kept trying to figure out how to transfer out because she hated her school, but was "stuck" where she was due to the very generous scholarship (which at that point she saw more as a curse than a blessing). A month into her second year she was happier than she ever imagined possible. She had travel experiences that she wouldn't have had at the other school and has made very dear friends.

dodgersmom

KKmama - the "curse of a generous scholarship" . . . !!!

AsianGinger - It is possible there are merit awards at your friend's school that he can apply for, and perhaps win. But, regardless, you should remind him that if he was able to gain admission to his dream school, then there are other schools out there that will want him as a student also. So, he should start expanding his horizons and discovering new dreams. Having one acceptance under his belt, even if he ends up not being able to attend that school, is a very, very good start!