I just graduated high school and will be taking a gap year next year, partially due to the fact that when I applied to schools we did not consider finances as much as we should. Luckily I’ll be doing a fully funded gap year volunteer program in Ecuador that I’m incredibly excited about so I’m not too upset about having to delay college.
With that, I know that next year I am going to need to actually attend school so I want to be better prepared and have a better list that provides me with affordable options. Here are my stats
UW GPA 2.8
W GPA 3.5
SAT CR 550
M 600
W 580
Class rank- top 50%
North Carolina resident but would love to get out of the state if possible.
Our EFC is about $24k but my parents can really only contribute $10k-$15k a year. I would like to avoid taking out more than the federal loans. I should have about $4k in savings by the time I start next fall.
Any and all recommendations are welcome and encouraged. Really starting from scratch here!!
Your best bet financially is to attend an in state school or attend community college (focus on your GPA) then transfer to an in state school. With your parents only being able to contribute in that range, it’s wise to stick to affordable options. Do not go into a lot of debt.
You can move to another state and work for a year then apply for in state residency. But that would delay you two years then.
$10,000 (from your parents)
$5,500 (from a standard student loan)
$3,000 (from your own summer and school year earnings)
$18,500 total budget (roughly)
Run the college search engines for places where the tuition and fees come to no more than $8,500 each year. That would leave you $10,000 for housing, meals, books, transportation, etc. You will not find many options that are out-of-state that are in your cost range.
If you can raise your SAT score, or get a very good ACT score, there may be places that offer automatic scholarships for GPA and test scores, and that will use the weighted GPA for that purpose. Look here:
http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
Since your gap year is fully funded, ask your parents if they can put the $10,000 they think they could pay toward college this year into a savings account or 529 fund so that it will be available for sure when you need it next year. That will also let them practice living on a reduced income. They might find out that even $10,000 is too much for them to cut out of their budget.
Are there some out of state publics that are in less populated states you could look into? Sometimes they give merit based on stats or interesting things you bring to the table. The gap year in Ecuador sounds interesting.
Are you female/ male? Again something you could use to your advantage when applying.
Can you study to raise test scores?
To answer questions-
I’m male, and my ACT score was lower than my SATs which is why didnt even include it. I took the SATs 3 times after a class and private tutoring so im not sure I could get the scores any higher.
I am not opposed to less populated state schools, so I would for sure consider those. Any specifc ones? @goingnutsmom
As for the payment, my parents have 529 fund with about $22k in it for me, and my grandparents have agreed to match that, which is where I came up with the ~$10k a year number. @happymomof1
I would hope to avoid CC, I was accepted a state school this year, UNCC, and parents had said that it was affordable had I of chosen to go there. Unfortunately, I had already picked an expensive private school and we were determined to make it work, which it just could not, and after the fact it was too late for UNCC.
Oh I forgot- My parents were denied for a plus loan this year so assuming they are denied again next year, which I expect they would be, I would be allowed to borrow a little more.
I don’t have any in particular in mind- you’ll need to do the research there. I was thinking of the less populated states, especially where your stats are within range or above. Look at states that are trying to attract people to move there- Idaho, ND, SD, WY, Montana, maybe NM. I thought I read that NM has a new program for college students. I’ve heard that U of Minn Morehead has very reasonable tuition.
A school that needs males is also something to consider- College of Charleston needs males.
You’re scores are fine- above avg really. It’s just that if you are seeking merit your scores have to be in the 75th% to be considered for merit.
Use the schools CDS to see stats and gender ratios.
Definitely look at your in-state public Us. Plan on moving OOS when you graduate.
Try retaking the SAT one more time just in case.
What about submitting an SAT Subject in Spanish to show proficiency (take the December test).
Run the NPC on the following - all accessible with your current stats (except for two reaches, as indicated):
UNCG and ECU, perhaps UNCA and App State for reaches, Guilford (they need male applicants), College of Charleston (ditto) and University of SC at Aiken, UWyoming, College of Idaho, Carroll Montana, Lincoln Memorial Tennessee, Doane, Virginia Wesleyan, Longwood, Radford, ODU, CNU, Gannon, Lycoming, Susquehanna, Marshall University.
Remember that you will have a year abroad and coming back to NC may seem like new again. UNCC seems like a great school. Isn’t Charlotte suppose to be a great place to live?
U North Carolina - Asheville for affordability
Many public schools use weighted GPA