<p>Loving this site, wish I had found sooner. Looking for help. Senior dtr, 3.4 GPA, 4 AP classes in a comp HS, don’t remember exact SATs, not stellar but respect, 1950ish for the 3 I think, in a quandry of where to apply with concern for best financial deal since family income limited (unemployment). Lives in MA, already accepted to Loyola, New Orleans (had free online app), considering Providence, UMass Amherst, UVM, Suffolk, Holy Cross (family went there). We think these are ballpark target schools, have avoided reach because we need good finan package. Some have suggested she go out of NE so she has geographic appeal. Any thoughts on mentioned schools for expectation of finan pkg. Any thoughts appreciated. She is one of 7 children, 1 will be left in high school and others jus finished.</p>
<p>*She is one of 7 children, 1 will be left in high school and others jus finished. *</p>
<p>I’m confused. Her other 5 siblings just finished high school? How many are presently in college? If some/all are in undergrad school, her EFC should be very low.</p>
<p>Have you figured her EFC? </p>
<p>Keep in mind that many schools can’t meet need, or can only meet need with large loans. The ones who meet need w/o loans are the elites and your D’s scores aren’t high enough for those.</p>
<p>We think these are ballpark target schools, have avoided reach because we need good finan package.</p>
<p>The best FA packages (no loans/small loans/no gaps) tend to come from reach schools, since they have the big endowments to fund those FA packages. I think you’re confusing FA with merit scholarships. FA is based on need, not stats. Merit scholarships are based on stats.</p>
<p>Most non-reachy schools have to depend largely on federal aid for their FA packages, and therefore they can’t meet need. Fed grants for low income students are often not enough to pay for tuition, not to mention room, board, books, etc. OOS publics can’t meet the need for OOS students. UVa is an exception.</p>
<p>Many students that are in your D’s position (lowish income/respectable stats) cannot get the FA needed to go to privates or OOS without large loans. That is why many choose to go to an instate public where their federal aid will cover much of their costs, and the remaining costs get covered with smallish student loans. Many instate publics have COA’s below $20k, so fed aid goes further.</p>
<p>Student loans larger than - say 5k per year - will likely require a co-signer. Will you co-sign and will your income qualify for co-signing?</p>
<p>While your D’s stats are respectable, they aren’t high enough for large merit scholarships (which is what I think that you’re looking for.) Good sized merit scholarships are typically for SAT score 1300+ (Math + CR only) Merit scholarships typically only consider M+CR scores. What is your D’s M + CR score? Schools also tend to require at least a 3.5 GPA for scholarships. Is that your D’s weighted GPA for grades 9-11 (schools often don’t use 12 year grades for scholarship consideration).</p>
<p>The problem I’m seeing is this…many private colleges cost $40k-50k per year (total Cost of Attendance). I don’t think the schools that you’re considering are going to be able to make attending affordable, unless you’re comfortable taking out big loans.</p>
<p>What are your feelings about student loans and parent loans?</p>
<p>What are your D’s financial safety schools?</p>
<p>I suggest you also post this on the 3.0-3.3 student thread and the B+ student thread. Both have a lot of helpful parents, especially the former.</p>
<p>If your daughter’s 3.4 is unweighted, the 4 AP’s may make it higher.</p>
<p>5 quality private schools I have heard are generous with merit aid are Alfred; Susquehanna; Scranton; Tulane; and Muhlenberg. Some posters have said U Alabama and U Kansas give generous out of state aid.</p>
<p>Best of luck</p>