<p>My family hasn’t saved a lot of money to put toward my college education. Plus, I’m just an average student, so I won’t be getting any amazing outside scholarships. (You can see my stats by looking at some of my old posts.)</p>
<p>So, I’m wondering, which schools have the best financial aid programs for average students. I’m mainly looking into schools in the south, but suggestions on schools elsewhere would also be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>Your question is unanswerable in certainty because things change so quickly that any data out there can be no good for this year. More important than your stats for financial aid is what your parent’s income and financials are. The school is not at all interested in the fact that your family has not saved for college. It uses pretty cut and dry figures that involve income that is reported on the last year’s tax form and the assets as of the day you file the form. If your parents make what is considered sufficient money that they should have saved, should be able to pay, it doesn’t matter that they cannot. They are still on the hook to pay. </p>
<p>The best bet for someone like you who wants a huge amount of money is to look at momfromtexas’s thread on full ride scholarships. You will do better at the many schools in this country that you may never heard about, that have some nice awards even for pretty average students. See if you can get something there, maybe not a full ride, but maybe a good portion of your cost covered.</p>
<p>The other way to go is to look at local schools with the thought of commuting. Commuting to a local state school would be a cheap option for you. Commuting to a private would save you money over living there. This is an option my son is considering since the local college he is eyeing is simply too expensive for us to pay fully if he boards there. He would also work to make some money and maybe, maybe in two years or so, he could afford to live there. </p>
<p>Look at schools information that gives the % of aid given and find the schools that have large %s and are also possibilities for you academically for admissions. Those are your reach schools. Maybe you’ll get in, maybe they’ll meet your need, maybe the need they define is workable for your family.</p>
<p>But the first thing is how much are colleges going to expect your family to pay, and how much can they pay? Also how much can you chip into the pot? How much can you all borrow comfortably?</p>
<p>My mother made about $24,000 last year. Between her and my grandparents, I’m guessing we could pay a few thousand? I don’t know exactly due to the fact that I have two major surgeries coming up. Also, my father is not in the picture (if you were wondering).</p>
<p>I am more than willing to work while in school and during summers.</p>
<p>We’re trying to avoid loans, but I know that I’m pretty much going to have to get one.</p>
<p>It looks like you could be up for a full ride somewhere if you can find the right school. Unless there is something else here, you probably are eligible for full aid from most schools that offer it. It’s a matter finding a school that meets full need that will accept you. SAT scores, gpa, course load will determine what schools are good picks for you.</p>
<p>Thank you! I appreciate your help!</p>
<p>Probably your local directional U would have some merit money for a good student. And as Cpt mentioned, you could save $ by commuting.</p>
<p>The unfortunate fact is that if your stats are really average (and you’re not another Ccer claiming to be average with a 4.0/2250) your state schools will probably be your best financial option. Schools that meet need require well above average stats as does significant merit aid.</p>
<p>A lot of this depends on what your grades actually are. I know you say you’re “average”, but on CC “average” means getting “only” a 3.8 gpa and a disappointing 2200/2400 on the SATs. What you want to do is look at CollegeBoard for schools that offer merit financial aid as well as schools that offer to meet full-need with or without loans. Depending on what “average” means for you, it might be difficult to get into an Ivy League school (which, due to your low family income, will probably extremely inexpensive if not free) but there are plenty of other schools with generous endowments that are willing to meet full need of admitted applicants. Some of them even have “no-loan” policies for all families or for families making below a certain amount, which means that your aid will primarily appear in the form of grants and, if necessary, work-study. </p>
<p>The advice about commuting or starting a community college is sound as well. With your low family income, the Pell program will cover a significant amount of your EFC. </p>
<p>I would keep that as a plan B while you’re searching for schools that offer financial aid programs. Ultimately, no one here can actually name a school for you that will give you good aid; all of it depends on important numbers like grades and SAT scores, lucking out and winning major scholarships, and little things like bothering to fill the FAFSA by their priority deadline or being one of the quicker applicants who gets the most out of limited financial aid opportunities.</p>