Match a MD high school senior [3.3 GPA, Chemistry Major, Needs Full Aid with -590 SAI, Considered OOS for MD]

Chance Me / Match Me
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Demographics

US Citizen, all public schools, not first generation, athlete, or legacy.

Cost Constraints / Budget
My parents will not contribute anything.
I was able to get my FAFSA done, -590 SAI.

Intended Major(s)
Chemistry (BS)

GPA, Rank, and Test Scores

  • Unweighted HS GPA: 3.3
  • Weighted HS GPA: 3.4 (5.0 Scale)
  • Class Rank: No Longer Ranked.
  • ACT/SAT Scores: N/A (19 composite for ACT, but not using.)

HS coursework

  • English
    || Honors English, Advanced English, AP Lang/Lit, and AP Lang/Comp

  • Math
    || Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Geometry, College Algebra (Current, not DE, regular HS)

  • Science
    || Marine Biology, Biology, Chemistry

  • History and social studies
    || US History, US Government, Economics, Sociology (HS), Psychology (Currently), Sociology (Current DE)

  • Language other than English
    || Chinese 1 (DE), Chinese 3 (Currently), Korean 1 (DE), Japanese 1 (Currently DE)

  • Visual or performing arts
    || Theatre & 3D Art

  • Other academic courses
    || Computer Science, Physical Education, Health, AVID, Creative Writing, Sports Medicine, Culinary Arts

Awards
Honor Roll (9th, 2nd & 3rd Quarter)
Honor Roll (11th)

Extracurriculars
All one year except AVID; Regular Member.
AVID (Since 7th Grade, as a Class.)
FCCLA
Fashion Club
Model UN
Caring for younger sibling.

Joined Dance Club this year.
(Did not add it to Common App yet, but don’t know if it matters so I might not.)

No leadership, jobs, summer activities (outside of dual enrollment), or community service.

Essays/LORs/Other
My essay is about self studying a language outside of school (5 years) until I took it with dual enrollment last year.

I might ask my teachers to resubmit LORs for me but I don’t know if they matter much. (I originally asked when I applied EA for a few schools.)

Schools
All Early Action.
Accepted
Goucher (36k yearly, around 21k with FAFSA)
York College of Pennsylvania (9k yearly)
Towson (nothing)

Deferred
UMBC
Stevenson University (Have to send in midyear grades)

Rejected
UMD

These are schools I’m considering to apply RD/Rolling now.

University of Delaware
George Mason University

Instant Admissions (I want to apply and see how much aid I can potentially get.)
Coppin
UMES

High School - $2 Per Transcript
2 Community Colleges - $12 Per Transcripts (I took classes at 2 different ones with DE.)
So I want to apply to schools I actually have a chance to get into and get good aid from.

Realistically, I would need a school that covers virtually everything.

I would go to community college but I am not sure if I would be able to live at home. My relationship with my parent is somewhat unstable and they want me to go to a university that I can live on campus. If we live separately, things would be a lot better. I would want to go to school that is still close to MD. (1 - 3 Hours away by car or train)

From what I understand public state schools have little to no incentive to cover an OOS student with aid, so I am reconsidering applying to the University of Delaware. (I am not considered a Maryland resident yet since I have moved back months ago, confirmed by the public schools I applied to.)

Additionally, I know most schools that cover everything are private AND require CSS. My other parent refused to give their information for the CSS, so I cannot apply to any schools that require it.

I was wondering if there were other schools that might be able to give basically full aid to an OOS student without the CSS and a 3.4 weighted GPA?

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It sounds like finances are a huge obstacle for you. You really need a full ride.

Congratulations on your acceptances, but they look unaffordable.

I would suggest you start at a community college in your state. Have you considered that option?

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OP mentioned this:

Also, if the OP and parent have only been in Maryland for a short time, the OP may be considered an out-of-state student at a Maryland community college, which could worsen affordability.

Some schools that use CSS Profile do not require the CSS Noncustodial Profile. However, most of the ones with better financial aid do.

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I wish @happymomof1 would see this thread and comment…:crossed_fingers:t2:

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Which state were you in b4. You may have residency there.

Have you looked into Berea -but unlikely stat wise. Deadlines may have passed.

How about a job at Starbucks or Target free tuition. No not in person but.

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You need to check the requirements for residency for instate status for community colleges. IIRC, the time of residence is significantly less than for the MD four year public universities.

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Sadly, no. You would still need to pay for dorm and food. Many families cannot afford to send their kids to college. Perhaps working a full time job, preferably one that gives money for tuition assistance would allow you to take classes part time until you find yourself in a more supportive situation. Good luck!

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UD and JMU won’t be affordable, so I wouldn’t spend the money on the apps.

I encourage you to reconsider Community College. Are you still considering becoming an LPN and living with other family that you mentioned in another thread? 1 Year Deferral to get PN License?

That could be a good option. Here are some other jobs you can get with a two year degree. Then, you could work and attend a 4 year school to complete your bachelor’s degree. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/medical-jobs-with-associates-degree

In another thread austennut posted a list of companies that have tuition reimbursement. Have you looked into jobs at any of those companies? Chance and match a low stat [3.3 GPA], rising HS senior for JHU [chemistry or East Asian studies, pre-med] and for schools in MD [resident], VA, and DE [no contribution from divorced parents] - #124 by AustenNut

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This is a tough situation. Here is one my favorite money blogs. Since you have a money problem, money advice may be the best advice right now.
You are asking great questions and have a lot of grit. I’m rooting for you!

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Who just moved to Maryland? You or your parent? Your residence is determined by your parent’s.

Your parent wants you to attend a residential college or university, but can’t help pay for your education. That makes things really tough. You would need a full ride, but you don’t have the grades and test scores that would qualify you for that level of merit-based aid, and your need-based aid offers aren’t affordable. Have a nice long conversation with your parent about the money thing. What would you need to do to be able to keep living with that parent while you study? Maybe the two of you can come up with some kind of agreement that will get you through a degree if you commute.

I work at a community college in Maryland. In my county, you are resident for in-county tuition and fees after 3 months. I don’t know if that is a state-wide policy for the community colleges, or if it is just at mine. Check the residence policy at the websites of the CCs you could easily commute to. Look at the scholarships available. My own kid qualified for a tuition and fees scholarship that covered those costs for her AA degree, and then she transferred to Towson where she got decent need-based aid.

Some of the MD community colleges have a major that isn’t offered anywhere else in the state. If you don’t live in that county, but you choose that major, you pay in-county costs which can be a significant savings over in-state rates.

Here is one state-wide scholarship program to look at:

Lastly, if your parent is iffy about helping you pay for your education, a career program might make more sense right now than a four-year degree. Check out the non-credit career programs offered by your community college that are covered by Maryland Promise, and take a look at apprenticeship programs offered by your community college or by trade organizations near you. Getting a certificate that gets you a job and out of your parent’s house might be the best plan. You can go back to college later.

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One more idea: CCBC used to have some classes on Towson campus, and those CCBC students could live in the Towson dorms. I don’t know if that option still exists. It may be worth checking out.

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