**$30-35k max after merit
Do not qualify for $ based on FAFSA but will qualify for significant $ at a needs met school
*Engineering (mechanical probably)
**UW 3.9, 4.6 weighted
at least top 10%, possible closer to top 5%, (won’t find out till end of this year. HS will only give range not exact)
1400 SAT (just took again)
Most rigorous offering
Currently AP Classes Physics, Calc AB, US History English
Honors or High Honors everything else
Biology, Chemistry
3 years Spanish
Will be taking 3 AP and 4 College Classes Senior year on Community College
Math History and Science Honor Society
Mediocre EC + volunteer
2 sports
2 clubs
Student Ambassador
Volunteer Jr Coaching for 2 football teams
Started/ working on community project to college old legos, create lego kits and distribute to children who may not have access
Work PT job, 3 years, promoted twice and trains other employees
Schools
Notes Dame Reach (needs met)
Purdue toss up (need scholarship)
Virginia Tech Likely (Need scholarship)
Rowan Assured
University of Florida Toss Up
University of Virginia Less Likely (needs met)
Michigan State Likely but need scholarship
Villanova Toss Up
Syracuse Likely (need scholarship)
Looking for more safety where he would be more competitive and offer merit.
Possibly a state school that offers tuition reduction as part of merit package (similar to
U of SC)
As the parent of NJ students who needed merit to go oos, getting costs down to low $30’s with merit won’t be easy, at least in the northeast. My 3.95 uw 9 AP with all 5’s 34 ACT 8th in her class of 300 went to UDel for low $40’s, and many peer schools were about the same (UCONN, UMASS). UMD and Pitt were higher cost. Nothing from Rutgers of course. We weren’t eligible for any financial aid (living in a high COL area doesn’t help).
So you need to find schools that can get to cost. Fortunately you still have time.
I see zero. UND meets need but did you run their NPC? It’s $90k a year.
Purdue tiny chance. My kid got $10k but was 2019 and I think they’ve gone away from that.
Va Tech - zero chance.
UF - unless you get a grandparent waiver zero chance.
Michigan State - gonna be tough to get that low but possible.
Nova no shot
SU no shot
I’m talking costs based on what you wrote. Nova and SU could, as privates if you have a lot of need but doesn’t sound like it.
What you missed was applying to schools that will 100% make your cost - no questions asked. For those reading that’s cost seeking 101 - make sure you have 100% assured and affordable admits. You did do that - Rowan - but are you interested in Rowan ? Doesn’t sound like it. If not you need others.
3 strong engineering programs I urge you to look at are - Alabama, UAH, Mississippi State. All are strong. All will not just meet but crush your #. And you can still apply.
Then you have zero guesswork. If UND, Nova, or SU are not affordable, you have an assured home at a great school….unless Rowan meets that need.
There’s likely more but that’s three off the top of my head.
He just isn’t a fan but we are going to look. Yes notre dame and uva get below $30k. Lehigh didn’t so we took them off list. The difference in net calculators for schools with similar price is crazy.
We know the Northeast isn’t an option because prices only go up. That’s why we aren’t really looking north East and Jersey schools give very little money to Jersey kids sadly My daughter got instate at South Carolina with lesser stats but it’s not a good fit for him.
So I guess that’s why I’m here asking to see if there’s other schools that offer instate tuition waivers rather than merit scholarships that I don’t know about.
So Purdue is only $45k and one of his top choices so I might be able to squeeze another $5k to get to $35 if he can get a little $$. But not sure if stats are good enough.
And yes he did a summer engineering camp
On Rowan and didn’t care for it.
I realize there isn’t any safety $$ wise on list. My daughter got in UofSC with a tuition waiver which brought it to $29k for merit. So I guess that’s what I’m trying to see. So many colleges so little time. I’m wondering if there are schools like that with engineering that I’m missing for him.
Alabama is a great option. What’s UAH? And thanks for those 3. That’s the type of info I’m hoping for if it is out there.
Good to know. The only people we know that have gotten were honors college and he doesn’t have stats for that. We will probably end up applying as a safety but it will be last option. My son is way easier than my daughter and if I say that’s the only option money wise he probably wouldn’t blink but I would love to look at other options if there is any.
Your son can also take the federally funded Direct Loan which is $5500 for freshmen. Would that help meet the cost to attend Purdue if he is accepted there?
Have you considered Stevens (assuming your student is certain of engineering)? I’m not sure what it’s financial aid reputation is but it’s a solid school.
My kids had higher stats and several years ago when admission was less competitive, no merit. Lots go to Rutgers gphere, I know if 2 who got merit (very high stats).