coolpillow

Hello

I am a senior from MA where in-state public schools are only mediocre.

I have already applied to Michigan but learned that they may not give enough financial aid for me to attend.

Is this true for all public schools pretty much?
Including the University of Texas - Austin or UNC/UVa ?
Should I even bother applying to state colleges?
My family's EFC is around $6k.

thumper1

Your family income is only $6000? I hesitate to ask this but how do you pay your day to day family living expenses?

We know some mighty successful graduates of UMass. Judging from their career successes, I would rank the school higher than mediocre.

UMIch does not meet full need for out of state students. UVA is highly competitive for admissions for OOS students. The school does meet full need...they also require the Profile.

The only other public university that meets need (I think) is UNC-CH but again the challenge is getting accepted as an OOS student.

If you really are a competitive applicant for UMich, UVA, and UNC-CH, you might want to compare your stats at schools that award significant MERIT aid.

U of Alabama offers guaranteed merit awards based on your SAT scores and GPA. You might want to see if you meet the criteria for a merit award there.

KatMT

"Your family income is only $6000?"

"My family's EFC is around $6k."

I believe the EFC is around $6000.

UMICH does not meet need for OOS students,and does not have much in the way of Merit aid.

UVA and UNC-CH meet need for OOS students, they both also the require to Profile to determine need...

U.Va. Financial Aid - Entering/Transfer Students

Apply for Aid - The Office of Scholarships & Student Aid

There are some state schools that offer guaranteed merit awards to high stat OOS applicants-- like U of Alabama-- there is a thread a few down where Merit Scholarships are discussed. Some schools also have competitive merit awards for which a student may apply. Check deadlines...some were November 1, others have a December 1 deadline. Some require additional application. Some only require the regular admissions deadlines and requirements be met.

It looks like the stats you posted on a different thread:

"GPA 3.83/4 - Top public school in MA (not ranked, but somewhere in top 10%)
SAT CR 660 M 800 W 760 (one sitting)
SATII Math 2C (780) Chem (730) USH (720)
AP Physics B (5) USHistory (5) Calculus AB (5) - All junior year"

would qualify you for significant merit at U Alabama if you meet the December 1 Application Deadline -- http://scholarships.ua.edu/types/out_of_state.html

mom2collegekids

UTexas will not likely give you the aid you need as an OOS student.

Keep in mind that OOS publics charge high rates for a REASON. It wouldn't make much sense for them to then cover those high costs with FA....otherwise, why bother to charge the high OOS tuition????

UNC and UVA are unique because they do give OOS students aid....BUT...since they dont' accept many OOS students AND they usually only accept some high stats OOS students, their aid is essentially merit and need based.


Alabama does give large merit scholarships for high stats....deadline is Dec 1 for scholarships. Apps are easy.

cptofthehouse

Depending on whether you EFC is comparable at PROFILE schools, you might get some good aid at some private schools that guarantee to meet need. Take a look at some of them. OOS publics are not great at funding those students that are not from their states unless that student is way up there in stats. It is possible that you can get some aid at schools seeking kids with your numbers.

But the most important schools on your list, as on anyone's list are the ones that you know you and your family can afford and that are sure to take you. Make sure you have some of those on your list, and from there you can speculate to your heart's content.

Erin's Dad

Don't plan on FA from UT but, as has been mentioned earlier, UVA and UNC will meet need for OOS students.

coolpillow

Thank you everyone!

I will look into UVa as well as UNC.

Guaranteed full-ride from Alabama... That's interesting.

KatMT

I believe it is full tuition for OOS students with your stats, not a full ride (meaning tuition, room, and board)..... still not too shabby!

happymomof1

Read the thread on guaranteed full rides. There are several out there, but GPA and test scores are different for each one. Cut-off dates vary as well.

dodgersmom

I'm not sure what the OP is looking for, but with the multiple state universities in MA - as well as the opportunity to attend school in any of the neighboring states for a significantly discounted tuition - I find it hard to imagine that any of the schools listed in this thread would offer a course of study not already available. Add to that the opportunity to attend to take classes at Smith, Amherst, etc. if one attends UMass-Amherst.

Sounds like what the OP is really looking for is a way to get as far from home as possible . . . but if he/she has the grades to get admitted to any of these schools, then might as well go for it!

KatMT

The five college consortium between UMass, Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire is a great opportunity, of which the OP can take advantage if she (I think she is correct) attends UMass.

I could be wrong, but I thought the New England Regional Student discount was only if your major/ degree was not available at a college in your home state. Depending on her major this is something worth looking into.







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dodgersmom

You're correct, KatMT - the regional discount is only available for those majors not available in ones home state. But given that the OP described the MA higher ed system as "mediocre," I am assuming that his or her interests extend beyond the hundreds of opportunities already available in Massachusetts!

Neighboring state opportunities include ecogastronomy (go look it up yourself - I had to!) (NH), small vessel operations (ME), dairy management (NH), musical theatre (VT or ME), and, surprisingly, Russian (NH or VT).

coolpillow

Thank you everyone, again. I really appreciate your time.

In my original post, I really degraded my state school system, but I know it's probably much better than what I (or my friends) judge it to be..

I have to be honest. I don't want to go to UMass. It's too close to home and everyone (25% of senior class) goes there. I am afraid I will end up with same group of people from HS. It's cold (although Michigan is too ). Football team is only decent.

I've also been looking at private schools, but I also have favorite public schools (those I've previously mentioned - UTaustin/Michigan) that I am in love with..

I just wanted to ask before applying... because if it gets too expensive for me, there would be no point in applying at all...

UT Austin would be, stat-wise, safer for me, although it is more difficult as an OOSer. But I love the school (and the business program)

Erin's Dad

UT puts far greater weight on class rank for admission than any other element. You shouldn't bother applying to UT or UMich with a 6k EFC. You will only get federal aid of $5.5K in loans.

thumper1

Neither UT nor UMich guarantees to meet the full need of out of state students...and they are very clear about this on their websites.

You know, UMass is a very large school. NOT everyone there will be from your high school.

Does the state of MA offer any college funds for low income students?