Hi all,
I’m coaching/tutoring some low income students on the SAT as well as the college process. The group that I’m assigned received SAT scores in this range (1200-1400) for their ‘diagnostic’; however, they could (and should, hopefully) rise.
Unfortunately, because I’m an international student, and coming here for me was moot unless I attended a T10 (which were the only ones that would give me significant FA), I don’t have a good sense for what are financial and admissions safeties/matches/reaches for domestic students with scores within this range.
I was hoping that CC-ers had suggestions for some good example schools to talk about in this range, which also provide good FA. If I could have a few examples of a urban, suburban, and rural environment, research unis vs LACs, it would be great, too. They are NY/NYC residents, so I’m definitely looking @ the CUNYs, and SUNYS.
Thank you so much!
Some of the schools listed here, assuming these kids also have the required GPA: http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/
Low income students with 1200-1400 (likely) scores on the new SAT should certainly focus on the SUNYs and CUNYs because of low cost, Pell and TAP grants.
The ones who end up with scores in the 1400+ range can target IS and OOS schools that “meet need”.
I’m always cautious with low income students because there can be a few issues…
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If they have non-custodial parents, they may not get the aid they need at “full need” schools.
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If they are truly low income, then going to a school that requires long-distance travel (air or car) can be an issue. COAs usually only include a modest allowance for a trip to school and a trip home (if that much!). Personally, I don’t like recommending “far-away” schools to students who are low income.
RIT
Admission scores guidelines See https://www.rit.edu/emcs/admissions/pdf/SAT2014_2015guidelines.pdf
Also see https://www.rit.edu/emcs/financialaid/table_merit.html
“RIT Presidential Scholarships
Freshman applicants with scores of 1330 or higher on the two combined sections of the SAT (or ACT composite of 29 or higher), and a secondary school rank in the top 15 percent at the end of the junior year, with evidence of completion of a rigorous program of study with distinguished performance relative to other candidates for admission to the program.
$10,000 to $16,000 per year. (Amounts based on merit.) Renewable.”
Commuting will most likely be the option for most of them. For those kids to go away, they need to receive at least full tuition in merit where they can add a Pell and $5500 loan to cover the other costs. Even at that, money will be tight. They can also apply to lottery meets full need schools.
I would have them take the ACT.
So I talked to them today and most of them were interested in staying in NYC or NY State. 1 doesn’t, but she has the highest scores, and is most likely to improve, so that’s a positive.
All of the kids apparently qualify for reduced or free lunch. That means <43k for a family of four. I ran the NPC for SUNY Buffalo, which a student mentioned liking, and it still leaves 7584 out of pocket, assuming on campus housing, with I’m guessing TAP and Pell included. That’s a lot, if your family really makes 43k or less.
CUNYs are much more affordable/commutable, so I’m going to suggest them as financial and admissions safeties for everyone, since everyone would be eligible for pell and TAP. I think the SUNYs will be good matches if they pull up their scores a bit, and then maybe NY LACs and private universities as reaches.
I have to find a good way to present it to them. I told them to complete a survey that the organization provided to me to find out the kinds of schools they’re interested in. Then, perhaps, they can use search engines etc. to find a list. Maybe, then, I ask them to pick two schools and research vibe, size, etc, and all the financial aid/scholarship options and then ask them to rank it as a match, safety, or reach.
Maybe this will encourage them to work harder, too!
@“Yankee Belle” the program specifically does SAT prep, so I cannot do anything for them wrt to the ACT. @4kidsdad CoA of RIT is around 50k - 16k doesn’t do too much there. I’m close to someone who taught and graduated from RIT and it’s an expensive school.
Are all the students citizens or permanent residents? Just make sure they are qualified for federal aid before assuming that Pell money will be there for them.
What kind of GPAs?
Some routes for them to consider:
a. Run the net price calculators on the web sites of in-state public universities to get an idea of how affordable they are.
b. For students with very high qualifications, the highly selective schools with good financial aid (see their net price calculators) may be reach possibilities.
c. For students with high to very high qualifications, the merit scholarship shopping lists at http://automaticfulltuition.yolasite.com/ and http://competitivefulltuition.yolasite.com/ may have some possibilities.