<p>Hi! Sorry if this is a fairly obvious question, but I’m actually looking into this for a friend who lacks the motivation, because he’s guaranteed a ride somewhere else.</p>
<p>I was wondering if any fairly competitive to extremely competitive schools offer enough financial aid to cover the cost of tuition, room and board. </p>
<p>My friend is hoping for 750+ for each section of his SATs, attends a good private school on a scholarship that requires him to have 90+ grades in all his classes, does extracurriculars like rowing…he’s a really strong canidate, and might wind up at a school with average scores of 580, not because he likes it, just because he knows he doesn’t have to pay anything there.</p>
<p>He’s specifically looking to stay out of the deep south, because he’s very liberal, haha.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help! If anyone could direct me to a specific website, also, where this sort of information is available…a lot of time schools sites are spectacularly unhelpful.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>*
He’s specifically looking to stay out of the deep south, because he’s very liberal,*</p>
<p>Ha ha…there are very liberal students in the south. Your friend is being rather close-minded (not liberal) assuming that they aren’t. ;)</p>
<p>Most secular schools are going to be left-leaning no matter where they are.</p>
<p>Since your friend is guaranteed a free ride elsewhere, why do you want him to go elsewhere?</p>
<p>Where does he have the free ride at?</p>
<p>Anyway…if he ends up with a 750 in each section, I don’t know of any schools that would just give him a free ride without being in the south. </p>
<p>What’s his major?</p>
<p>Is he a NMSF?</p>
<p>His whole family goes to Iona, and he doesn’t really want to go, but thinks it easiest because he won’t have to pay anything. I think he should go to a school that is more likely to set him up to be more successful if he can. He very strongly feels that if he’s got a full ride, he should take it. Although I agree with that, I think between aid and merit, he’d qualify for a nice package at places that have better alumni connections and a better name to get him in the door at an interview.</p>
<p>And I entirely agree; although his political ideals are verging on socialism, he’s entirely close minded, haha.</p>
<p>Thank you for the point about secular schools, I hadn’t even thought of that. I’m sure he won’t object; he’s an atheist.</p>
<p>He doesn’t want to go into math or science, and is considering something to do with law or politics. He’s definitely still undecided, though.</p>
<p>EDIT: Oh, he’s only a junior. But last year as a sophomore, he was just shy of the score required to be a NMSF, so he’s hoping to get it this year.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Well, if he makes NMF, then he’ll have several other schools that will offer him free rides.</p>
<p>Right, I was just telling him that. Do you know if this is the most current list? This also pertains to me, haha, I’m a senior this year and I was named a NMSF.</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/national-merit-scholarships/649276-nmf-scholarships-updated-compilation.html</a></p>
<p>That was the most recent list I could found, but I just started on the site, and I really don’t know my way around yet. Thank you so much for your help! :]</p>
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<p>Schools offering the best aid in the country indeed do include room and board in their financial aid packages. However, this financial aid is entirely need based, so whether or not he would receive full ride FA covering room and board depends on his family income as well as other factors such as assets or any unusual circumstances.</p>
<p>Yes…that list is pretty much up to date. :)</p>
<p>*Schools offering the best aid in the country indeed do include room and board in their financial aid packages. However, this financial aid is entirely need based, so whether or not he would receive full ride FA covering room and board depends on his family income as well as other factors such as assets or any unusual circumstances. *</p>
<p>It doesn’t sound like this student is looking for need-based aid…maybe because the student won’t qualify…he goes to a private high school…so maybe the family has a high income.</p>
<p>Sorry if I didn’t make it clear; he attends private school on a scholarship, based on both merit and need. I’m not sure how much his parents make, I believe they are teachers at Catholic schools.</p>
<p>Thank you both so much!</p>
<p>His family will have to make less than $60,000 per year in order to qualify for zero parental contribution (for full room and board, tuition, fees, travel, etc all included in the FA package) under most circumstances even at schools with the best financial aid, and these schools usually have very low admission rates. Also, have you considered that perhaps he may actually prefer the school he has in mind over more competitive institutions because he likes the environment, a specific program, or something similar?</p>
<p>@OP, there are many TOP schools that offer what you are looking for.(both public and private) Chicago, Washington University at St Louis, Duke, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, William and Mary, Delaware, Maryland (my school), Rutgers, several SUNYs, and many more offer some type of merit full ride. Some even include extras like books and computers and/or a cash stipend. These are some of the best schools in the nation, but it’s tough to get, so the more apps the better.</p>
<p>Best of luck …</p>
<p>xrCalico23- I’m hoping that between FA and merit, whether through the school or independently, he can at least have other options. At the moment, he seems to feel as though he is stuck going to the other school, which he said describes as, “okay, I guess.” I just think that someone who has the intelligence to go to some really phenomenal schools, that he might really love, shouldn’t have to settle because of money. I know that in the end it’s entirely his decision, but as a friend, I thought it really couldn’t hurt just to show him that he does have other options. He doesn’t seem anxious to put in the legwork required to find schools that might fit his needs, and from his description, his parents don’t care as long as it’s free.</p>
<p>plumazul- Thank you so much! That’s good to hear, haha. Even though I’m a senior, I haven’t really looked into this aspect of applying to schools much yet, because I’m in an entirely different situation than my friend. I’ll definitely look into the schools you mentioned :]</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>The cost of attendance includes room and board. As heads up, a merit scholarship will reduce one’s need before it reduces the EFC. </p>
<p>Some schools with generous need based aid: [Project</a> on Student Debt: What’s the Bottom Line?](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php]Project”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php)</p>
<p>^ from the OPs first post, "fairly competitive to extremely competitive schools "</p>
<p>Aren’t the links above more focused on lower (tier 4) schools?</p>
<p>I assumed that both were looking for merit aid (full ride) from Tier 1 schools …</p>
<p>@OP, "Even though I’m a senior, I haven’t really looked into this aspect of applying to schools much yet, "</p>
<p>You might want to hurry it up a bit :),
the deadline for my school is Nov.1 …</p>
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<p>It’s very nice that you are trying to assist your friend. I hope you don’t think I’m being snarky here…if your friend lacks the motivation to look for other options…that is your friend’s issue. Your friend needs to be invested in this college search for himself. If he’s not, then really, it’s his problem. </p>
<p>One thing to remind your friend…any financial aid that covers room/board is considered taxable income for the student who receives it. The student does get the standard deduction when doing taxes…but often these kids earn enough income that their financial aid for room/board IS taxable. Just an FYI. The taxes are far less than the actual cost of paying for room and board.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks everyone!</p>
<p>college_ruled : I didn’t realize that merit would hurt the FA offer. Thanks, and also for the link! I’ve bookmarked it, and will definitely send it along.</p>
<p>happymomof1 : Thank you! The more info the better, for sure, and even if that list [which I haven’t read yet, to be honest] doesn’t fit the type of schools he’s looking for, I’d love to at least show him that he shouldn’t feel trapped.</p>
<p>plumazul : Hahaha, thanks for the advice :] I’m actually in the extremely fortunate situation where I really can’t expect anything in FA, so this is kind of new to me. Merit wise, I still have to look into what I should do with my NMSF nomination, and naming schools and all that. But beyond that, my parents have both agreed that I should go where I want, and cost is only going to help make a decision once I get my acceptance [and rejection, haha] letters. My first app is due 11/1 too, I’m bugging out! Best of luck :]</p>