<p>I think if you join or participate in Upward Bound then GV gives you the early awareness scholarship. Of course once you apply they’ll send you financial information to see which scholarships you will get.</p>
<p>OK I’m kinda stressed out now. Every scholarship that I’ve come across is seemed to be made to get around me. For example, in the Hispanic section, there was a link to scholarships for Hispanic students, and finally I found something, yay for Ohio students, oh wait… only for Guyaga county or whatever it’s called. That’s ridiculous, why can’t people from Warren county apply for that? And many other things are for STEM careers only or for things that just don’t fit me.</p>
<p>I don’t know how to describe my stress. I feel so tense right now. Sometimes I just think that running fast in cross country is the only option, then I will probably get a scholarship (I’ll be lucky to get one the first year if I go to GV.) But I don’t want to be that negative. Even if I go to the University of Cincinnati or Bowling Green I will still have money problems. And for outstanding community service scholarships, I’m in National Spanish Honor Society and we just have to do 10 hours within the Hispanic community, but I feel that isn’t enough or that it wouldn’t count. Geez do I have to volunteer at the hospital and pretend to like it? I may be doing community service but is it even OK to do it just because for scholarships?</p>
<p>Sorry for being angry, but I’m kinda scared and frustrated right now. I guess I’m becoming an adult right now.</p>
<p>Listen, I appreciate it is frustrating, because my own parents way back when would not help me finance my university degree.</p>
<p>Here’s what I think would help your situation. First, take a very deep breath and just trust the process to a degree. Second, have a conversation with your parents, that goes along the lines of:</p>
<p>These are the schools I would like to attend. We will not be eligible for federal need based financial aid, but $5500 in students loans will be available to me, and parent plus loans will be available to you if you are willing to take them. I may be able to receive merit money. Are you able to help me with tuition and living costs…(or is another family member able to help…) If not, what is your advice about what I should do. I will not be able, as a student, to borrow the cost of attendance. </p>
<p>Third, here are some concepts you need to get a firm grasp on:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Public versus private schools, in-state versus out-of-state – also explain this to your parents. Privates are more expensive but sometimes more generous with aid. Most out of state schools are expensive, but Grand Valley is an exception – it costs very close to the same as some of your INSTATE options.</p></li>
<li><p>FAFSA - public schools will base your aid on your Fafsa, which means your parents will have to supply you with their income tax info in a timely fashion. Even though you’re not likely to qualify for federal aid, you must file this so that you can take the fed loans and for the schools to work on any kind of package for you.</p></li>
<li><p>Offers – you will not KNOW what which school will actually cost you and your family out of pocket until after you A) apply; B) get accepted; C) submit fafsa and D) get a financial “package” from the school. Grand Valley is pretty quick on this, and in my experience, pretty generous. The financial aid office will look for every conceivable award to give you. You do not have to go through all the angst trying to find out about each program, because they are managed by the financial aid office.</p></li>
<li><p>Fiscal Safety, Backup plan: Because it is presently unknown how you will finance a “sleep away” college, you absolutely need to apply to a school, whether its a community college 2 year program or a 4 year university in your home location to which you can commute. Worst case scenario, and sometimes just to be a better manager of money, many many students first attend a 2-year college program and then TRANSFER to the school they want to go to. It can be much cheaper to do this way. That said, many schools do not offer the same kind of scholarships to transfers that entering freshmen receive, so you will want to STILL APPLY EVERYWHERE. This is just a backup plan so that you can still work toward your goal even if things don’t go your way.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>When you have that talk with your parents, stay calm, and if it helps, gather your information in a spread sheet to refer to (eg. estimated COA of schools you’d like to attend, etc.) It will help them understand that if they do help, they will be investing in the future of an increasingly mature adult ;)</p>
<p>Best wishes. If you know how to meditate, btw, it’s a great way to reduce stress before approaching important subjects such as “Help me finance my education!”</p>
<p>In terms of GVSU with transfers, they are NOT generous at all with scholarships compared to freshman and sophomore students. Just recently they created some better scholarships for transfers but overall it is nothing like the freshman scholarships, and I can’t think of any scholarships for transfers that give in state tuition. </p>
<p>After saying that, I agree with kmcmom that you should apply to each school and see the financial aid package of each school.</p>