I’m glad that UMaine Farmington seemed like a promising and affordable possibility, if it wasn’t for this:
Perhaps showing her what various options are like? For instance, if her total college budget is $120k ($30k/year…and I realize the budget might not actually hit that high), then perhaps have her visit a local community college and have her think about spending two years there while living at home (presumably at a cost of $10k/year or less when thinking of tuition plus transportation costs) and then she would have $50k/year for her last two years (though realizing that transfers often get less merit and financial aid than first year students). And have her look and see what type of schools could be affordable at $50k/year and she may realize that she prefers that, or she may start seeing options like Farmington (or others) in a much more favorable light.
Or she could look into the military and GI Bills and about whether she wants to do that in order to supplement the money that her parents are offering her in order to attend the type of college she was hoping for. Or look into the National Guard for a state in which she likes the public school offerings.
Additionally, I would strongly recommend that she get a part-time job, if she does not already have one. Have her see how long it takes for her to save up $5k, and that might help put the costs into perspective of how much money is really being talked about. Right now it might feel more like Monopoly money rather than real money, but when she realizes how much effort it takes to earn $30k, she may start being more appreciative of what she has been offered and more serious about seeing the benefits of affordable options.
Here’s really out there suggestion: University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.
Farther away than you want, but not California. However, it will be in your budget range.
The LUE Scholarship is automatic for a 2.8 cumulative GPA OR 18 ACT (960 SAT). LUE gets 150% of instate rates
The LUE Plus Scholarship automatic for a 3.0 cumulative GPA OR 20 ACT (1030 SAT) gets you instate tuition rates.
UNM instate tuition & fees is $10,129. Housing and meals $11,885/year (traditional dorm and standard meal plan)
UNM’s English dept is ranked in the top 75 in the US and is home to the a number of well-regard creative writing programs.
Robust Study Abroad program as well a being a part of the NSE program.
UNM is smaller public university, with an undergrad enrollment of ~17,000. Urban setting–if you consider Albuquerque urban (pop. 550,000). Campus is compact and self-contained, and mostly surrounded by residential neighborhoods.
Climate and the local culture is very different from Maine.
Just to update everyone. And because I feel like I’m on a roller coaster. My daughter has decided to pursue the Air Force academy.
She’s joining the track team to get more fit (and see if she can handle it… she’s fit but never has been a runner. Luckily it’s in her genetics. My husband and I run distance and my brother was a sprinter that won states decades ago). She’s signed up for AP computer science next year as it’s an admission requirement. And shes suddenly watching videos and getting hyped over a school.
If this new found passion sticks, and she gets in, I won’t have to worry about budget
Still touring other schools though- AFA is tough to get into so we need backup plans.
Yes, if a service academy is the top choice, then it also makes sense to look at ROTC options, although getting a full scholarship through ROTC is highly competitive also.
I assume schools like VMI and The Citadel won’t be affordable. VMI is over $50k tuition, room and board b4 merit. OP has a much smaller budget than this if I recall.
Several of us already responded to this poster here on the Parents of the HS Class of 2026 thread and referred her to serviceacademyforums.com for specific USAFA questions.
Definitely. If a candidate does not seek alternate routes to service, they will be asked why not when interviewing with the nomination panels for that academy. They want to see a strong desire to serve not a desire to attend a service academy.
ETA: If a candidate applies to only one academy, they will also be asked to defend that singularity, again because most successful candidates apply to multiple commissioning sources indicating their willingness to serve their country in any capacity. It is important that anyone applying to a service academy understand that they will serve at the needs of the branch (regardless of their major or interest), so any candidate who expresses any type of service limitation (medicine, aviation, cyber, etc.) is not going to gain any points with the nomination panels.
