<p>When you speak of Financial Aid based on your D’s GPA, then you are speaking of Merit Scholarships. Need-based financial aid is based on family income and the use of specific formulas within the FAFSA to determine eligibility. Each school will have it’s own guidelines on what they will award for Merit (based on grades), Talent (some schools separate from Merit, some combine with Merit) and if they are able to meet full need-based aid. There are numerous outside scholarship opportunities on a local, state and national level to look into, as well as grant monies, which are awarded based on income requirements that don’t have to be repaid. Work study may be another option, if qualified. Your D’s Guidance Dept. should have info to help explain types of Financial Aid and what to prepare for before January of her senior year (money in student’s name, money in parent’s name, savings bonds, 529s, student loans, etc.) You can always discuss your individual situation with the college Financial Aid office, but be prepared - this is all business. While the school may be sympathetic to your family circumstances, depending on their policies, they may or may not be able to offer any additional financial help. They often will try to suggest other means of assistance, find scholarships within specific depts. she might be eligible for, etc. I’d strongly suggest doing as much research now and ask these questions when you visit some of her choices this spring.</p>
<p>While it is any parent’s wish to have their child attend the school of their choosing, when it comes to performance based majors (MT/Acting/Vocal Performance), especially in audition-select BFAs, it is the school that chooses you, and hopefully your D will be able to still have her pick. Given your mention of your husband’s potential future health-related concerns, it may be prudent to have a serious family discussion now about what you can afford. Nowadays, there are no job guarantees for college grads in ANY field. Any Financial Advisor will tell you not to sacrifice your family’s nest egg for your child’s education. I believe NYU’s cost of attendance tops out around 60K/yr; many programs easily cost 45-50K/yr. Some of the school’s on your D’s list don’t provide much in the way of scholarship $. Better to figure out the financial realities now than to deal with major disappointment when acceptances start rolling in and the dollars just don’t add up.</p>
<p>I wish your husband a miraculous recovery, and you and your D the very best of luck in her search for the right program. There are so many out there, and so many factors go into your child finding the right one. It isn’t about the “best” school, it’s about the best “fit”. It’s certainly an adventure!</p>
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