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Any merit scholarships for a 3.5 kid?

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Replies to: Any merit scholarships for a 3.5 kid?

  • chb088chb088 1096 replies32 threads Senior Member
    He’s already applied to colleges and been accepted to several. All are similar price - in state public.
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  • chb088chb088 1096 replies32 threads Senior Member
    He does have $1k in the bank and should earn $2k this summer but was thinking he’d use that for incidentals. Trying to avoid taking out unsubsidized student loans. Our PTSA has scholarships but there’s only 7 of them so I was thinking they’d be hard to get since he’s not top 10%.
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  • thumper1thumper1 78507 replies3537 threads Senior Member
    We paid the interest annually on the unsubsidzed portion of the loans while,the kids were in college. It was NOT expensive to do so...and better than having the interest compound in terms of eventual payments.

    So..we just subsidized those loans!
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  • twoinanddonetwoinanddone 25008 replies20 threads Senior Member
    Interest doesn't compound on loans while you are in school. There is basically a one time compounding when you begin repayment (no way to get a payment on the entire amount owed without compounding at that time) but you could just pay all accrued interest after graduation too if you don't want it to compound.
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  • 3scoutsmom3scoutsmom 5668 replies338 threads Senior Member
    Look to your community for scholarships, your credit union, your electric company, your civic clubs, these are the places that will give the most for community service.
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  • chercheurchercheur 1296 replies10 threads Senior Member
    Apply for the PTSA scholarship and everything else you can. I know they are a pain to fill out, but you just may get lucky. Maybe have him attach a note (if allowed) detailing how much he will be working and taking loans, etc. but still has xxx amount of need. Also tell them you have not received any other scholarships. The top kids may have merit awards already and hopefully your PTSA looks for a variety of kids. Good luck!
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  • thumper1thumper1 78507 replies3537 threads Senior Member
    @twoinanddone no the interest doesn’t compound while you are in school...but paying it off annually, if possible, makes your end amount smaller.
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  • Studious99Studious99 888 replies23 threads Member
    edited February 2018
    I’ve found that a lot of “community” scholarships found in the GC’s office cater to students with an interesting background and not-so-perfect grades. Talk to your GC, and see what you’re eligible to apply for.
    edited February 2018
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  • chb088chb088 1096 replies32 threads Senior Member
    Unfortunately due to our income he doesn’t look like he needs anything but we all know expected family contributions are a little ridiculous.
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  • twoinanddonetwoinanddone 25008 replies20 threads Senior Member
    Most of the local scholarships in our area could only be used instate. I also found some near the college my daughter attends (for that county, or schools in a certain area).
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  • thumper1thumper1 78507 replies3537 threads Senior Member
    @chb088

    Did your kiddo get subsidized loans? Those are based on financial need.
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  • chb088chb088 1096 replies32 threads Senior Member
    He’ll get $3500 in subsidized loans...that’s it for his first year. He’ll get $4500 second year and $5500 for his 3rd and 4th years.
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  • mommdcmommdc 11907 replies31 threads Senior Member
    If he gets outside scholarships you will need to report them to the school, and if his need decreases, the amount of subsidized loan might also decrease.
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  • chb088chb088 1096 replies32 threads Senior Member
    No worries since the university won’t be giving him anything anyway.
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  • thumper1thumper1 78507 replies3537 threads Senior Member
    @chb088

    The university isn’t giving him anything...but you say he will get subsidized loans, and work study.

    @mommdc is correct...if your need decreases because of outside scholarships, portions of your aid could decrease. His subsidized loan amount could decrease...and work study amount as well.
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