What are the best schools that offer NMF help?
Well, that’s a good question.
what do you consider “help”? there are a few top schools that give $2k-5k per year…that’s not much help when the cost is $65k…right?
USC doesn’t accept all of their NMFs, but for the ones they do, they give a 50% tuition scholarship, so remaining costs are about $43k ish.
How much do you need? How much do you need your net cost to be?
Are you a junior or senior?
Wait…are you asking about NMF? Or NHRP? There is a huge difference. many schools that give NMF awards do NOT give NHRP awards.
What is your PSAT and what state are you in?
I’m a Junior. I scored 217 in PA. This score will probably make me a NMSF, and I’m hoping I can become an NMF. I’m also Hispanic, and that’s why I’m also asking about NHRP. My parents aren’t going to contribute to my college education as we don’t have enough money. Because of that, I’d like to find schools that give aid. However, I’m also a very competitive person and would like to go to an excellent college.
Are your parents lowish income (like under $45k per year)? Or are they middle class but don’t have the money to spare for college?
there are a LOT more schools that give NMF awards, than NHRP.
My parents earn less than $45k a year, so we are lowish income.
ok! So, you should be looking at a mix of schools that give super need-based aid…and some schools that give HUGE NMF awards.
Could you give me any suggestions? I’m interested in schools in California or the Northeast, and that are good for History majors.
Pinned thread at the top of this forum:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1678964-links-to-popular-threads-on-scholarships-and-lower-cost-colleges.html#latest
California is not happy hunting ground for ‘meets full needs’ schools or the NMF awards, excepting USC for that NMF. Otherwise you will find options very limited.
Have you thought of applying to Questbridge? The partner schools offer a full ride for ‘matched’ finalists. Even if you are not ‘matched’ which is lower chance percentage-wise, the partner schools do promise to ‘meet full need’ for accepted students in the RD round.
Thanks for the advice BrownParent. I didn’t know about Questbridge. It sounds pretty interesting.
Thanks for the advice BrownParent. I didn’t know about Questbridge. It sounds pretty interesting.
QB is a low income program, usually under 60k. URM students also seem to do especially well. There is a program for Jrs, the application should be open now or soon, and that can get you some college summer program paid for. But the important program opens late summer for rising Sr’s. It is an award to be listed on your applications to be selected as a QB Finalist. But also there is a matching program which is a bit like ED but you get to pick up to 8 colleges. Also you can decline the matching and just apply ED/SCEA/RD but your QB application will also be included which gives you a little more room to give your background as well. See the Questbridge website, which I think could be a lot clearer. There is a forum for QB here.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/
In addition look at Gates Millennium.
Thanks BrownParent. This is very helpful.
@BrownParent, I looked at QuestBridge, and believe I fulfill almost all requirements. However, I don’t know if I’d be eligible, as I am currently living in South America. However, I study online at a school based in PA. Do you think I’m eligible to apply to QB?
I think so. You could always email.
@BrownParent, I have looked at QB, and it is really phenomenal. I really want to convey my thanks for introducing me to such a fantastic program.
I’m afraid your PSAT will not net you NMSF status. Since you are in South America you would be in the outside US pool which had a 224 cutoff last year. http://publicuniversityhonors.com/2013/12/11/psat-national-merit-scholar-qualifying-scores-and-sat-equivalencies-by-state/ Certainly check out Questbridge but I don’t know how US citizens living abroad will be evaluated for income.
@Erin’s Dad, I’m currently enrolled in an online school in PA, and am considered to be a PA PSAT Taker. That is why I believe I’ll be able to become a NMSF, as PA’s cutoff last year was 216.
Are you a U.S. citizen? There are many schools that will not accept students who are not US citizens because the Questbridge program uses federal programs to fund some students.