My GPA is crazy low

College Search & Lists
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<p>I got a 1.9 first semester and 2.7 second semester this year of my junior bringing my cumulative to a 3.1–weighted.
I know that it’s awful, no need for all of the shame. I had a really hard year with lots of absences (I missed almost a month of school total) and a tough schedule. It was mostly the homework that did me in. I did well on tests but my depression hindered me while at home. I spent a week in treatment first semester but there is still no excuse for my crappy grades.
So, I guess my question is: what colleges should I be looking at?
I refuse to go to community college and dislike the idea of staying in state but I am starting to realize it may be my only option. My parents will be contributing nothing to college so I will be left with lots of debt–I have accepted this. I just need help…
What colleges with accept a 3.1 gpa, 31 ACT with ok activities?</p>

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<p>3.1 is not crazy low. In fact, it is above average. 31 is a great ACT score. Have you taken the SAT subject tests? What state are you from if you don’t mind sharing? CSUs are an option and I’m confident that you’ll get into some of them.</p>

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<p>I’m from Minnesota so the CSUs are still kind of a reach for me. I haven’t taken the SAT Subjects. I’m waiting to get my AP scores back to gauge if I need to take the subject tests and also really considering whether I should even take them or not since most colleges don’t require them</p>

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<p>SAT subjects can only help you. Would you be interested in Arcadia or any of the SUNYs? Florida State University?</p>

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<p>Have you thought of any of the privates? Bethel and Northwestern or perhaps Hamline. Your gpa is a little low but with the ACT score I think you have a shot at St.Thomas. You could go to one of our state schools then transfer after you really apply yourself for a year or two. You sound like a lot of kids I know smart but didn’t apply yourself at first. Finish HS strong and come back and let CC know how things went.</p>

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<p>

As a student you are limited to borrowing only ~$27K for college, for the four years. Anything above that would need to be cosigned by your parents. You need to seriously look at a CC or a regional U. The U Minn campuses seem to be ~$20K/year. If your parents are willing to pay $10K/year then that might be workable with a summer job and your Direct Loan. South Dakota State is <$16K for a Minn resident. [Cost</a> Estimate](<a href=“http://www.sdstate.edu/admissions/financing/undergrad/cost/]Cost”>Cost Estimate)</p>

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<p>What is the unweighted GPA ?</p>

<p>Your high ACT might compensate for your low GPA.
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities might be a match.
Apply to University of Wisconsin-Madison.</p>

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<p>If your parents will not help pay for your education, your options will be limited. Find out NOW if they will file the FAFSA with you next year. You can help them run their numbers through the formula on paper to see what your federal EFC is likely to be:
<a href=“http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/091312EFCFormulaGuide1314.pdf[/url]”>http://ifap.ed.gov/efcformulaguide/attachments/091312EFCFormulaGuide1314.pdf&lt;/a&gt;
That will let you know if you will be eligible for a Pell Grant, subsidized federal loans, or just for unsubsidized federal loans.</p>

<p>If your parents absolutely refuse to file the FAFSA with you, ask if they will write a letter to that effect (the financial aid office can tell you what the letter needs to say), so that you can file the FAFSA on your own and qualify for unsubsidized federal loans on your own.</p>

<p>You can borrow $5,500 freshman year, $6,500 sophomore year, $7,500 junior year, and $7,500 senior year if you attend full time. The rules for part-time studies are different, so ask a financial aid officer. They usually are pretty friendly. Go sit down with the Fin Aid office at your closest public U or community college and get some advice about all of this.</p>

<p>Lastly, if you have EXCELLENT ACT or SAT scores, even with a 3.0 there might be some guaranteed merit-based aid out there for you. Start with these threads, and then read through the rest of the Financial Aid Forum and see what could work for you:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html?highlight=bobwallace[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships.html?highlight=bobwallace&lt;/a&gt;
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html?highlight=automatic[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/848226-important-links-automatic-guaranteed-merit-scholarships.html?highlight=automatic&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;