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I do not have a set financial plan in terms of total parental contribution/loans/scholarships/financial aid,</p>
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<p>it is mid summer, and scholarship apps have EARLY deadlines…so ask your parents NOW how much they will pay each year. Do NOT waste your time (and others’ time) making lists that may not even be feasible. You need to come up with a fab strategy based on YOUR true situation. </p>
<p>it really is best that way…why get hopes up for - say - WashU - only to find out that parents will only pay 20k and washu would NEVER become affordable. </p>
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<p>ok…great. engineering? career goals? grad school? med school?</p>
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is better to figure out your price limit rather than looking at the scholarship amount. A $15,000 scholarship at a $60,000 school still leaves it more expensive than a $35,000 school.</p>
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<p>absolutely…and I personally dislike set merit amounts because they become much less meaningful as a student moves thru college and prices rise, while the award doesnt. so, never choose the option where a school is barely affordable as COA rises each year.</p>