Okay so I have a lot of questions because I don’t really have help at all. I feel like I can’t ask my guidance counselors for help because they already have a lot to do and all I am is another face asking stupid questions with not enough of a high stance to ask. Okay so I’m really scared because my mom makes between $35,000 and $48,000 a year and most of it is just commission so that she can support my older brother and me. Anyways, I’m wondering is that a lot of money because she is really excited to send me to college, but she doesn’t want to and can’t afford to pay for it if you look at how much she has to support. She just got this job really recently, but by the time I decide to go to college she will be in somewhat good standing. I was homeless like literally along with my mom all of last year. We lost our house in an illegal eviction that was brought about after she paid for the mortgage late or something like that. They didn’t give us notice which is extra illegal. Anyways, I’m really scared because I feel like because we make money I’m not in financial need anymore or at least that’s what they will tell us. I also don’t know how to fill out the common app without my dad’s information because everytime I try to ask him he tells me I don’t need to know how many degrees he has and where he lives in order to fill out my college application. He really is a dumbass and even after 23 years has no idea he has two children for the most part. That’s beyond me though. I just really need to know a few things:
Is what my mom makes too much to say I'm in financial need?
With a 27 on the ACT and a 3.3 grade average is a private college aiming too high?
Are scholarships even an option in your senior year or are they too out of reach?
With so much to do and only a year left where do I even start?
I’m sorry for typing so much I’m just a really scared black girl who is just really hoping everything turns out okay…
Where is your dad in this picture? If your parents are divorced, does your mom receive child support, or spousal support?
Yes, your mom’s income is low enough that you will qualify for need based aid…but the amount will likely vary depending on the policies and wealth of the colleges to,which you apply.
There are plenty of private colleges where you can get acceoted with an ACT of 27 and your GPA. The problem is…you are not likely going to be able to afford to pay for them. Those stars are not high enough to get you admitted to the schools that guarantee to meet FULL need for all accepted students.
I’m assuming you will be a HS senior. Have you looked into your public universities? Does your state offer any aid programs for lower incime families? Is ther a college close enough that you could commute?
You don’t need your dad’s address to complete the common application if your parents are divorced.
You WILL need your dad’s financial information if you apply to colleges where you are required to provide it for financial aid consideration.
Now…I’m going to be very blunt here.
Your post is full of insulting comments. I hope that isn’t the way you present yourself in real life.
If your family was evicted from your home…it was not an overnight issue. I doubt that your family has shared the whole story with you.
My dad lives in California as far as I know. He and my mom were never married. Also as far as my family sharing the whole story with me my mom told me everything it was no secret we were struggling I was trying to get a job to help her, but no one wants to hire a 17 year old with no experience or at least in my experiences. Also my dad won’t provide any financial information, I have nothing against my guidance counselors they just have more important jobs to do. Also I’m still currently homeless by the way. It’s been a year.
College confidential is a great place to get information, but you may need to provide more information for people to help you. If you are homeless, where are you living? Is your brother in college now? Will you be attending the same high school you were last year?
So you are going to start college in fall of 2017? Then the FAFSA that you file this fall for the school year 2017/18 uses income figures from 2015. Did your mom make less last year?
Are you going to take the ACT again to try and raise your score?
What state do you live in?
You need to look at some schools nearby you could commute to for safeties, then look for some schools where you might get enough merit or need based aid so you can afford to pay the rest with a student loan and summer job earnings. Also see if some of the HCBUs might appeal to you, they might offer generous scholarships as well.
I live with different family friends because my mom isn’t close enough to anyone in our family except for our grandmother. I go to school in TN and my grandma lives in MS so it’s about an 1 hour 30 minute commute every weekend so that we can stay there. My mom sleeps in her car most time and I don’t know where else…I don’t ask. She recently got a job so it has been hotels lately, cheap ones though more like motels. My brother isn’t in college and he doesn’t plan to go. He lives with my grandmother and he had a nervous breakdown a while back. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was kept at an institution for about 2 months and now my mom doesn’t really know what to do with him when ewe move somewhere which should be soon I hope. I will be attending the same school I was attending last year I’ve been going there for 4 years on a transfer… Also I don’t know how to do the quote thing that you did with thumper1.
I’ve only taken it once and yes plan to take it again. I live in TN and my mom made below poverty in 2015 I don’t know really since we haven’t had an address for about a year
My mom didn’t file taxes in 2015 because she didn’t have a job and she hasn’t had one until recently she was jobless for about 7 years. My uncle files us on his taxes. I will I’m aiming for a 33 and the next time will be second time taking it. I live in Tennessee
Do you qualify for HOPE in Tenn? If so, those Tenn publics should be on your app list. While your mom’s income isn’t “high”, if there are only 3 in your family (one parent), then the FAFSA calculation might be harsh.
I do qualify for hope, but I feel like there may be kids accepted over me I had a really high GPA before all of this happened. Why might they be harsh because there are only three of us.
<<<
do qualify for hope, but I feel like there may be kids accepted over me I had a really high GPA before all of this happened.
Why might they be harsh because there are only three of us.
[QUOTE=""]
[/QUOTE]
There are several Tenn publics. Apply to all of them. With your stats, you should be accepted to some of the Tenn publics. Apply early to UTenn…but also apply to UTenn-Chattanooga, UTenn- Martin, Tenn Tech (depending on your major,), UMemphis, Middle Tenn State. Tenn State Univ, East Tenn Univ
If you want your quote to say the poster, use “quote=poster name” in the beginning instead of just “quote”. I’m sure it’s difficult to focus on your academics with all this chaos in your life, but that is the most important thing for you.
Start by looking at smaller public universities in your state of residence. You may find that they have programs for students with lower incomes. Does your family get any means tested benefits? Food stamps or free/reduced lunch? If so, using $0 income for 2016, you would probably qualify for the full Pell Grant of $5800, and the Direct Loan of $5500. In addition, if your state has additional,aid for you, that could help.
If you get your ACT score higher, that might also be a help in terms of merit aid.
Is there a social worker at your school? That person might be a good resource.
as TN high school graduate- you would also qualify for the TN Achieves program for community college. This would cover any community college tuition that wasn’t covered by HOPE and Pell money. Be sure to talk to your HS guidance counselor and get signed up for this by November 1. Apply for this program even if you think you might go to a 4 year school-- if you miss the deadline you won’t be able to get it later.
Your GPA and ACT score may qualify you for full scholarships at Tennessee State University (HBCU in Nashville.)
You need to understand that few schools meet full need. The schools that do are usually very difficult to get accepted. The FAFSA EFC usually represents the least you will be responsible.
However, the student direct loans might be enough to cover CC. After that, you can transfer to the state four year if finances allow.
As others stated, apply to all your TN state schools and see how the financial aid plays out. Understand that state schools are NOT inferior schools. They can be better than many private schools. However, you should be able to get a solid respectable education at most state schools.
If your father pays child support that would also need to be reported on the FAFSA.