<p>^ Have to agree about the third-party scholarships. If you have “need,” they reduce your “need” and therefore your need-based aid. And there are <em>very</em> few “merit” scholarships that aren’t also based on “need.”</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>It depends on the school. At one small LAC that has ties to our religious denomination, Son applied for a vocal performance scholarship, a denomination-based scholarship, and an alumni recommedation scholarship and received two of the three. However, at the one state school to which he applied, he also applied for three scholarships and was told that he was not within the top 1/3 of the 2100 applicants…which is impossible to believe since his stats were WAY WAY WAY WAY WAY above the 75th percentile for that school…note that the scholarship app form asked for income information.</p>
<p>I REQUIRED that my D apply to our in state University where I knew she’d be accepted and get at least one automatic scholarship. Then she did nearly everything else on her own. She selected the schools, did all the research. I said “I’m here for ANY questions you have”. But, since I didn’t have the money (or, let’s face it, inclination) to go to college…I LIVE online learning new things every day, so that I can be prepared to answer those questions. Turns out that she’s had very few. </p>
<p>She is indeed one who will rely on me if/when I’m around and let her, but who excels far beyond my expectations when she must do anything alone. I have ZERO qualms about her going to college because she’s irresponsible at home (she’s an only child, she’s used to me “doing” for her) - but she’s as independent as can be when she’s away from me. </p>
<p>Since she was a TODDLER the child would dig in her heels whenever I asked for anything. “Hurry up” meant a panicked look and backward motion. “Do it now” meant that any 15 minute task would turn into 90 minutes. “You’re grounded” translated into “oh well, I didn’t want to go anyway”. </p>
<p>I gave her a timeline for her applications, and she just adamantly refused to follow it. But it’s only because I gave it to her. It sounds like she’s mean spirited…she’s really not. It’s sort of subconscious. I think she wants to show me she CAN do it her way and it will be just fine. And it nearly always is. </p>
<p>Left to her own devices, she nearly always does just fine. So, now…I leave her to her own devices. I do glance at the mail so she doesn’t miss some “you can come here for free” type offers. I also set up a filing system for her so she’d have an organized place for her apps/brochures/letters, etc. And I offered to send in her standardized score reports because I sit at a computer all day anyway (can you tell?)</p>
<p>But she did every step of every application without question. She had some problems but figured them out. Got decided how to list her ECs, organized her teacher recs of course, got her transcripts, completed the several different applications. I just left her a copy of my credit card for fees. She made lists and wrote essay question after essay question. </p>
<p>She said the other day…“I’m just SO happy it’s (pretty much) all done!”. She’s sent all parts of all apps (regular decision), taken all her SATs, SAT IIs, ACTs. Sent in everything except mid year grades. Even filed a separate application. </p>
<p>Ahhhhhhhh! My job is nearly over, isn’t that right? (And NO more talk of weddings and babies y’all! I’ll probably only get horses and dogs for grandbabies anyway…I’m not worried…they’re MUCH less work!).</p>
<p>Oh, I do have to add, I did almost nothing except fill out FAFSA/CSS for D1. She would not let me help. She also is the one who would not take advice and she did end up at the one financial safety to which I insisted she apply. I made sure the other kids understood the requirements more clearly which is why I got more involved in the list for kids #2/3</p>