Location a factor for financial aid?

mom2collegekids
Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:45:17 +0000

Actually neither really counts for much if the school doesn’t meet need.

If it’s a CSS school (some better privates), then the institutional one will be used. However, if it’s a school that doesn’t meet need without Parent loans, then irrelevant.

If it’s a FAFSA only school (many publics and privates), then only the federal one is used. FAFSA only schools usually do not meet need.

Which was your FAFSA EFC?

You asked the following on another thread, hopefully someone here can give an answer. I’m thinking my answer is right, but others might say something different.

Also, for the best chances at good-sized scholarships, I think a student needs to be in the top 5-10% at a school that gives scholarships.

Also, what would be considered a top 25% applicant. ACT range on Collegeboard is 27-31. Since 31 is the 75 percentile, would that mean a 31+ on the ACT would be considered top 25%?

The top 25% would be an ACT 32+ in this case.

up to ACT 26 is bottom 25%
ACT 26 - 31 is middle 50% (26% - 75%)
ACT 32+ is the top 25% (76% on up)

I’m guessing that the students are divided by number of students…so if there’s 1000 freshmen…then… 250 are in the bottom 25%, 500 are in the mid 50s with scores of 26-31), and 500 are scoring 32+. Others can correct me if I’m wrong.

Sorry I copied the wrong post. :(

Meant to copy this…

*School:
Class Size: 327
Rank: 26 (Top 10%)
Curriculum: All honors and AP classes/Hard
Grades: 94.14 unweighted, 99.29 weighted (I did well this year so unweighted should go up to a 95 and weighted should be around a 100)

APs (Only allowed to start taking APs junior year):
US History (4), Calculus BC (Will take), Chemistry (Will take), Physics B (Will take)

Tests:
SAT: 1290/1920 (Probably won’t send or take again… just working on my ACT)
Math: 710 / Reading: 580 / Writing: 630
ACT: 29 (Math: 34/ English: 29/ Reading: 26/ Science: 28)
I know I can improve my ACT score and bring it to the 32 range in September.*

Since your parents can’t pay their expected family contribution, which schools are gong to be your financial safety schools? Right now, schools like Northeastern probably aren’t going to work out financially for you.

Your parents have said that they will pay $10k each year. That is your reality. You need to come up with a list of schools that will work with those parameters.

You won’t be able to make up the difference in unmet family contribution with a student loan because a student loan will be part of your “need”. So, if you have $15k in “need,” you’ll get a student loan and some work study in your FA package.

If you do get an ACT 32, there are some schools that would give you generous merit, but your stats would probably have to be in the top 5-10% of the school.