College loan ?

[NewRVLady]

In loans, yes. Freshmen are eligible for $5500 in federal loans the first year. With an average cost of $20,000 per year, even state/public universities are out of reach for most kids with no financial help from their parent(s).

I didn't know that! so college is REALLY out of reach for many kids?

 

[NewRVLady]

My dd won't be offered a great scholarship package. She is an average student with a poor ACT score. So that $49k would not be obtainable I assume. I can't imagine them giving her that much in loans x 4yrs. Even if they did, to think of repayin that gives me the Heebie jeebies. Ha.

Yes, wondering about student loans.

Honestly-all the state Universities here are "select" and you HAVE to have a certain ACT to get in. But in doing this, and getting rid of the old 50% drop out Freshman rate, they had to have a linked Community college with each Uni. Have her start there-or go to trade school....don't get heavily in debt for a not strong student.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I didn't know that! so college is REALLY out of reach for many kids?

Oh yea, which is why GPA and your ACT/SAT scores are important to try and get merit aid scholarships from the college you want to attend.

Otherwise parents have to pay OOP or get a Plus loan.

 

[Hrhpd]

Wh

at field was that? Need to send my kiddo into that field, like it or not.

My son and his friends that all had jobs to pick from were in certain fields of engineering. There was computer engineering, petroleum engineering, mining, chemical engineering and biomedical engineering and I think one aerospace engineer.
But they were all in tough engineering programs that are well known to make it tough to do some pretty extensive weeding out of graduate candidates. For instance, my son's major started out with over 300 freshman enrolled. Less than 40 actually made it to graduation and graduated.

If your daughter doesn't want to do one of these grueling majors, it would be a very bad idea to steer her towards one. There is no way anybody who is not committed will make it through, as evidenced by the 260+ students that transferred out of my son's major.

She should be pursuing an area that interests her, not what you want her to do.

Editing changes: changed know to known

 

[Pea-n-Me]

In loans, yes. Freshmen are eligible for $5500 in federal loans the first year. With an average cost of $20,000 per year, even state/public universities are out of reach for most kids with no financial help from their parent(s).

Wait - that's if you live there. You can subtract roughly $12,000 per year if the student commutes. MA is on the steeper end of cost for state universitles and some of them [like Bridgewater/Fitchburg/Salem, etc. State University] are about $9K per year, max. (Although UMass will run $14K up to 17K for some programs, even with commuting.) Break it up into two semesters to pay, and that's about $4500K per semester. Community colleges run about $5K per year here, or $2500 per semester, and most don't have dorms.

So let's say your DD lived here and wanted to go to a state university (not UMass). Assuming she gets in - and that is relatively easy to do with a decent GPA and/or SAT or ACT scores combined with Early Decision and on record as having attended a formal Open House at the school (which shows intent, according to what a Director of Admissions told me directly just the other day) - chances are excellent she'd get in. (ETA They use a "sliding scale" so that even if GPA is borderline or low, so if SAT or ACT scores were good, it's still a go - especially if combined with the other things I mentioned. Special Ed students can submit IEP info and they don't need to submit SAT scores. Basically they just want to know the student is capable of doing college work and being successful; they're not trying to be difficult about it, they want the student to go there, etc. Community colleges are open to everyone and don't require SAT or ACT scores.)

So she could sign up for student loans and pretty much be all set if she went to a state university and commuted from home. However, that's not something I'd really recommend. (At least it's not what I'd want for my own two.) $4500 can be more affordable and attainable that you think - even part of it. Cut back on spending, have her get a job and see if you can contribute. Many pay monthly. Obviously it would help if she knew what she wanted to do, and even better to start off at community college with a transfer agreement plan so she doesn't waste time and money on courses. (Talk to both schools if this is a plan so as to be sure she's taking the right classes.) With luck, maybe she'll even qualify for some financial aid that doesn't need to be paid back. (She'll have the best chances for this if she applies for Early Decision, from what I was told at all schools we visited.)

I mentioned the Debt Free U book at the beginning of the thread. Read it for lots of good suggestions and ideas on how not to go into a ton of debt for school. Young folks today starting out with a ton of debt start out with a ball and chain around their legs. It's super hard for them to catch up and affects many of their life decisions. Minimize it, if possible, IMO. But OP, college is definitely attainable for your DD. Make sure you hit the open houses now. Visit your local CC and talk to them.

 

[okeydokey]

Back to the discussion of ACT scores....I kinda wish they'd let anyone that wants to go to college go. If they need remedial classes, so be it. Place them in those classes, let them know it'll be an extra semester (or 2). Colleges still get their $ & there's no telling which kids could succeed if just given the chance instead of saying nope you're ACT is too low.

They do, in Community Colleges. Many kids start in remedial classes. There is not need for 4 year Universities to do this because this need is covered in the Community Colleges.

I have worked in both Community Colleges and 4 year major research Universities. There are many ways to get to the same end, you need the right way for YOUR student.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

They do, in Community Colleges. Many kids start in remedial classes. There is not need for 4 year Universities to do this because this need is covered in the Community Colleges.

I have worked in both Community Colleges and 4 year major research Universities. There are many ways to get to the same end, you need the right way for YOUR student.

That is so true. She could do a gap yr and work, community college, or try her hand at a 4yr.

My youngest made sure she worked toward getting merit aid and it is "the money shot" as a freshman.

The "bonus" with one of her merit aid scholarships is that she has to keep her GPA up and is required to do volunteering next yr, and so on, as part of the scholarship rules. 60hrs per semester!

Your child has to be a good student to do well in college. It is a lot of pressure at times.

Hang in there OP!

 

[HM]

Community College here is about $1200 for a semester in tuition. Books are a few hunderd more.
It's a much more viable option for parents and students that don't have a lot of money to put toward school. During those two years of CC, be saving everything you can toward the next two years at a four year college/university and keep those loans small.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I have a HS sophomore so this is all starting to set in and become reality! I'm learning so much in baby steps right now...

Those who talk about "merit aid"--could you give some details? How much is an average award? I know it will vary greatly depending on school and personal factors, but what's a ballpark or a range?

And how high do grades have to be to realistically obtain merit aid? My son's in all honors level classes, even one AP class as a sophomore, and pulling down all As. Not 99s in every class but at least 90 and above across the board. As a freshman, he finished 12th in his class of 132 and is determined to move that up! Is he someone who is likely to get merit aid?

 

[spima3]

@mom2AidanAndEli
We only looked at guaranteed merit aid for all 4 years. There are so many good students out there looking for the same thing. I remember my hands actually shacking when DS's ACT scores came in, as he needed at least a 32 on that for consideration of the full tuition plus scholarships we were looking at. (He actually scored a 33, plus he had all honors/AP courses in HS and graduated in top 1%) Now we had a very low EFC, so most schools that many would consider affordable with decent aid simply were not affordable for us, so it definitely made it a real struggle. $30K in scholarships when the costs are $55K is not great merit aid to us.

Things may change by the time your son actually hits senior year, but it wouldn't hurt to start looking at college costs now & merit aid available, if you really need it. At least it will give you an idea what you might need to do. We almost missed some deadlines in DS's senior year. Our HS counselors offered little to no assistance in the college search process.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

And how high do grades have to be to realistically obtain merit aid? My son's in all honors level classes, even one AP class as a sophomore, and pulling down all As. Not 99s in every class but at least 90 and above across the board. As a freshman, he finished 12th in his class of 132 and is determined to move that up! Is he someone who is likely to get merit aid?

Slightly unrelated to your question, but have him take ALL the AP tests he is in classes for. No if's, ands, or buts. They are so helpful and honestly not that hard. I knocked an entire semester off college through AP tests alone. AP tests are one of the biggest money savers! Then when applying he will need to know what schools accept what scores/tests. Don't underestimate AP tests though, they are fabulous! The slightly pricey cost of the tests is so worth it in return. You can skip entire college courses. They are just amazing to have!

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Slightly unrelated to your question, but have him take ALL the AP tests he is in classes for. No if's, ands, or buts. They are so helpful and honestly not that hard. I knocked an entire semester off college through AP tests alone. AP tests are one of the biggest money savers! Then when applying he will need to know what schools accept what scores/tests. Don't underestimate AP tests though, they are fabulous! The slightly pricey cost of the tests is so worth it in return. You can skip entire college courses. They are just amazing to have!

He'll definitely be taking more AP classes! As a sophomore, there's only one that our HS allows--U.S. History. But as a junior and senior he can take many more--and plans on it! He figures it will help with GPA and class rank, as well as giving him some credits for college.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have a HS sophomore so this is all starting to set in and become reality! I'm learning so much in baby steps right now...

Those who talk about "merit aid"--could you give some details? How much is an average award? I know it will vary greatly depending on school and personal factors, but what's a ballpark or a range?

And how high do grades have to be to realistically obtain merit aid? My son's in all honors level classes, even one AP class as a sophomore, and pulling down all As. Not 99s in every class but at least 90 and above across the board. As a freshman, he finished 12th in his class of 132 and is determined to move that up! Is he someone who is likely to get merit aid?

He'll definitely be taking more AP classes! As a sophomore, there's only one that our HS allows--U.S. History. But as a junior and senior he can take many more--and plans on it! He figures it will help with GPA and class rank, as well as giving him some credits for college.

It sounds like he is on the right track. I would just caution you that those AP classes take up a lot of time - not just during the school year, but in the summer - so you have to look at the big picture. I mean, it's great and all to have college credits done, but what about high school life? Will he have time to hang out with friends, play a sport, join clubs or get a job, say, if he so desires? Just something to think about. I think there has to be a balance there. OTOH, he may be one of those kids who can easily handle it all, idk.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I have a HS sophomore so this is all starting to set in and become reality! I'm learning so much in baby steps right now...

Those who talk about "merit aid"--could you give some details? How much is an average award? I know it will vary greatly depending on school and personal factors, but what's a ballpark or a range?

And how high do grades have to be to realistically obtain merit aid? My son's in all honors level classes, even one AP class as a sophomore, and pulling down all As. Not 99s in every class but at least 90 and above across the board. As a freshman, he finished 12th in his class of 132 and is determined to move that up! Is he someone who is likely to get merit aid?

Has he taken the ACT/SAT yet? That is where all the marbles are. You need the GPA of course and sounds like he is going for it.

Need to be in the 30's on the ACT to be even considered for merit aid. My youngest got a 32.

Have him take a practice ACT test at home to find out his score if you do not want it "on file" in the system yet. Easy to take.

Let's talk AP classes. Important to get 5's on them because you get an "award" for that if you take enough AP tests and get 5's on them.

My dd's friend who is a serious brainiac took EVERY AP TEST offered by the school whether she took the class or not, because it was a cakewalk for her to get a 5. (It was 80.00 a test.) She walked into college with almost a minor @ 72hrs college credit with just that. In addition she has a full ride at the college she is attending along with several other major scholarships.

A full ride is not an easy scholarship to obtain, but if your son keeps at it he can get money. My dd got 2 partial merit aid scholarships at the college she is attending, plus another scholarship separate from the school.

Smaller colleges give out more merit aid scholarships than major universities.

If your son wants a major university, you have to do more than GPA, AP, and a 36 on your ACT. Even then, might not get a full ride.

 

[traviesojmt]

My DS is attending a private university that is just under $40000/yr, tuition, room and board. He got a 29 on his ACT. He was offered $19000/yr for four years in merit aid directly from the university based on ACT and GPA. He has to maintain a 3.0 GPA in college to keep the scholarship each year. They were actually three separate scholarships that totaled $19000. So, depending upon the university, there is merit scholarships available with an ACT under 30.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

It sounds like he is on the right track. I would just caution you that those AP classes take up a lot of time - not just during the school year, but in the summer - so you have to look at the big picture. I mean, it's great and all to have college credits done, but what about high school life? Will he have time to hang out with friends, play a sport, join clubs or get a job, say, if he so desires? Just something to think about. I think there has to be a balance there. OTOH, he may be one of those kids who can easily handle it all, idk.

I totally get what you're saying about the balance, but he seems to be doing it all pretty well--at least for now. He got a taste of what AP summer work was like last year. A lot of kids saw it and ended up dropping. He stuck it out and is doing well in the class. In addition to his honors/AP classes now, he plays on the soccer team, is in the marching band, does Boy Scouts, referees town soccer, belongs to the Key Club, and helps out with school council activities. I know it will get harder if he's taking multiple AP classes, but we'll take it as it goes. I'd hate to see him miss out on a lot in high school, but so far seems to be juggling things okay.

 

[mnrose]

I didn't know that! so college is REALLY out of reach for many kids?

Yes, and it doesn't take very much income for them to expect you to pay for 100% of the cost (except for the $5500 loan your kid can take per year). it's quite shocking...we are not a family with much income, and yet, I've not found one college (and this includes some costing 60K+ per year) where the expectation is that we (the family) would pay all of the expense...and this is with twins...so take whatever the tuition is and double it. I'd be laughing if it wasn't so pathetic.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Has he taken the ACT/SAT yet? That is where all the marbles are. You need the GPA of course and sounds like he is going for it.

Need to be in the 30's on the ACT to be even considered for merit aid. My youngest got a 32.

Have him take a practice ACT test at home to find out his score if you do not want it "on file" in the system yet. Easy to take.

Let's talk AP classes. Important to get 5's on them because you get an "award" for that if you take enough AP tests and get 5's on them.

My dd's friend who is a serious brainiac took EVERY AP TEST offered by the school whether she took the class or not, because it was a cakewalk for her to get a 5. (It was 80.00 a test.) She walked into college with almost a minor @ 72hrs college credit with just that. In addition she has a full ride at the college she is attending along with several other major scholarships.

A full ride is not an easy scholarship to obtain, but if your son keeps at it he can get money.

Smaller colleges give out more merit aid scholarships than major universities.

If your son wants a major university, you have to do more than GPA, AP, and a 36 on your ACT. Even then, might not get a full ride.

He just took the PSAT last month--don't have results yet. But I hear very little about the ACT--everything seems to be SAT based. Do schools REQUIRE ACT or is it an either/or thing with the SATs? Guess I have some research to do!

Like I said, he's in his first AP class now, with the test in the spring. I guess we'll wait and see how that goes. He's definitely planning to do more in Junior and Senior year, but I'm not sure how he'd feel about taking the tests without being in the class. Something to think about.

I certainly don't expect him to get a full ride. He does well, but he's not at the top-top-top of his class. I guess I'm wondering if he'll be eligible for anything at all. I'm just hoping he'll be getting some aid--otherwise I'm afraid....very afraid!

 

[mnrose]

Whether SAT or ACT is "the test" to take seems to vary depending on what part of the country you are in. Here in the midwest, it's ACT that is stressed for Juniors and Seniors. On the coast, it seems to be more the SAT. Some colleges do require one or the other, but most will take either.

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Need to be in the 30's on the ACT to be even considered for merit aid.

Do schools REQUIRE ACT or is it an either/or thing with the SATs?

I disagree with needing to be 30+ for merit aid. Large state universities and smaller private universities often give it for the high 20's as well. Obviously what you get/the score you need depends entirely on the school in question (higher ranked schools requiring the best of scores), but the kid is likely not totally out of luck other places if he gets a 28 or something. They also look at individual scores as well as the composite, so for example if you end in the high 20's (26+), but some subjects you received 30+ and were just weak in one area, that gets taken into consideration.

As far as requiring the ACT it depends on the school and where it is. I was in the midwest and applying to mainly Chicago area schools, so I only bothered with the ACT since that was the norm there and what all my target schools required. It may be different where you are. His guidance counselor would be a good resource to talk to about that.