<p>I was rejected from two really good schools with GREAT financial aid (enough to allow me to go to either school). Now, I’m in a REALLY tough situation. I don’t know what to do, so I figured I’d ask some of you all, since you’ve given me some pretty good advice in the past.</p>
<p>First of all, my EFC is 0. My mom makes $24-25k/year. We have no savings, no income from father (he’s in jail), no child support, etc.</p>
<p>One school I’ve gotten into that I would LOVE to go to is Baylor University. However, it will end up costing $14k/year, and we simply can’t afford that. </p>
<p>Right now, it looks like I’m going to have go to go Texas State University. It’s an alright school, but it doesn’t have that great of a reputation compared to other schools in Texas. However, with their Bobcat Promise and federal/state financial aid, I can go there for practically nothing.</p>
<p>I am applying to Wake Forest (who promises to meet 100% of need), but I know it’s a reach. </p>
<p>“Right now, it looks like I’m going to have go to go Texas State University. It’s an alright school, but it doesn’t have that great of a reputation compared to other schools in Texas. However, with their Bobcat Promise and federal/state financial aid, I can go there for practically nothing.”</p>
<p>Have you applied there yet or not? If you haven’t done so, you need to do so right now. Then you will have one rock-solid guaranteed financial aid safety in your pocket. It might not be your “dream school” but it will make your education possible.</p>
<p>The simple truth is that nationwide, most students with a 0 EFC study at their local community colleges. They can have HYPSM level GPA, ECs, and ACT/SAT scores, but their huge financial need, and their family financial needs most often require that they live at home, work, and contribute to the support of their family while studying. You are truly fortunate to be in Texas where there are provisions for in-state students that can make a 4-year education affordable.</p>
<p>Princeton Review has 13 schools on its Financial Aid Honor Roll - these are their highest-rated financial aid programs in the country. Most of them are among the nation’s most selective colleges, but Lake Forest College in suburban Chicago is a Financial Aid Honor Roll school at which your stats would be right around the institutional median. The college states “Lake Forest College admits students regardless of their ability to pay, so that qualified students from all economic backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue their academic goals. Lake Forest is committed to meeting as much of a student’s demonstrated financial need as possible, which may include a combination of federal/state/college grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. The College offers several merit-based scholarships, recognizing academic achievement, talent, and community engagement. The Princeton Review named Lake Forest to its 2010 Financial Aid Honor Roll, one of only 13 nationwide to receive a perfect score of 99 in the survey of more than 620 top colleges and universities.” 94% of the students there receive financial aid.</p>
<p>Please, please, please decide here and now that you will never define yourself or anyone else by a bumper sticker. There are those of us who have lurked around here for ages and we see smart, vibrant students take on buckets of debt to get a “name brand” college degree. If you can swing an Ivy or MIT style degree, then there are indications that it can open some doors (particularly in law, politics or finance). </p>
<p>But if Harvard or Yale are not on your shopping list, then please know that graduating debt free or near debt free from Texas State maybe be a far better deal than $$$$ in debt with a degree from Baylor. </p>
<p>It is heartbreaking to see teens think that a college in another country/state/county has to be finer than what is in one’s own backyard. Often that is not the case. San Marcos, TX is a tourist destination because it is such a beautiful part of Texas (I’m from El Paso and I know!). </p>
<p>I will agree that UT or Texas A&M has some more “clout” academically – but a quick look at the College Board site says that 14% of the Texas State student body is coming from the top 10% of their class. With some 30,000 students enrolled, doesn’t that mean there are about 3,500 Top-of-class kids running around campus? I’d be worried if there were only one or two, but 3,500 means that the profs are going to be used to moving smart kids along. </p>
<p>There’s a Bible verse that reads “I cried because I had no shoes until I saw a man who had no feet.”</p>
<p>I’d say go ahead and throw together a few more college applications in the next couple of weeks if you can (Trinity in San Antonio?) but also hold your blessings close to your heart. And if the name on the bumper sticker is truly important, there’s always Grad School! Good luck!</p>
<p>Texas college system is one of the best in the country, if not the best. UT Dallas for example is very good as well. A&M is a another good choice. They are all fine universities. It’s always easier to get into in-state schools than to look elsewhere!</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids- I’m pretty sure they do. </p>
<p>I have a quick question. I was reading on the Texas State website and found this on the page about the Bobcat Promise:</p>
<p>“Under the Bobcat Promise, tuition and mandatory fees will be paid through a combination of federal, state and institutional funds. These funds include, but are not limited to, PELL Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), TEXAS Grant, Texas Public Educational Grant (TPEG), Texas State Tuition Grant (TSTG), institutional scholarships, college work study, etc.”</p>
<p>Does this mean that they will use my PELL Grant and other grant money to cover tuition and fees? However, if I receive more grants than tuition and fees require, that money would roll over to room and board, correct? </p>
<p>Also, would the Bobcat Promise count as my institutional grant, or could I be given additional money to put toward room and board?</p>
<p>That was three quick questions but the quick answers are yes, yes, and maybe. It does sound like they are factoring in all sources to meet their promise, but if there are excess grants they will apply them toward other charges as long as they aren’t tuition-specific grants (idk what the Texas grants look like but federal grants can be used for any educational expenses).</p>
<p>Public schools generally do not have significant institutional need-based aid to give, some don’t have any at all. Most of their institutional awards are more likely to be merit scholarships. If your school does give need-based aid, it’s usually available to cover R&B expenses. You’d have to check the details of your FA award letter when you receive it.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the advice, you guys! I’m looking into everything now. (:</p>
<p>I just want to make sure I’m working this all correctly for Texas State:
Tuition: $7,830
Room & Board (w/ my choice of dorm & meal plan): $6,810
TOTAL: $14,640</p>
<p>Are there any other grants I could qualify for to cover the remaining cost? My family could swing that amount, but I’m just curious to know if there are additional grants I could get.</p>
<p>I’d say look to your local community. A lot of students spend tons of time on Fastweb or other national scholarship sites. Instead of competing with 5,000 others for a $10,000 scholarship, see if there aren’t things in your own back yard that are “you” sized. Any $1000 scholarships from Rotary, the local Garden Club, VFW, or other civic group? Anything at your high school?</p>
<p>Don’t forget that there will be additional costs – including books and lab fees – plus you may need to have a computer to function well (fortunately the cost of some of the laptops has really come down). </p>
<p>Also, ask the college directly. Sometimes there are departmental scholarships available or alumni sponsored funds. </p>
<p>Meanwhile, it looks like you are on a great path. If you can graduate with few or no loans, you’ll be way ahead of the game.</p>
but the quick answers are yes, yes, and maybe. It does sound like they are factoring in all sources to meet their promise, but if there are excess grants they will apply them toward other charges as long as they aren’t tuition-specific grants (idk what the Texas grants look like but federal grants can be used for any educational expenses).</p>