Parents of College Class of 2018 (A.K.A., "Is this the line to the poor house?")

[momto3gr8boys]

Thanks, Everyone! We have some great kids here, don't we? It is fun to pop over to this thread during the day to see how well everyone is doing.....

Yes it is! DS got his ED acceptance yesterday too! Now we get to decide on housing and courses, etc. it's such an exciting time!

Congrats to everyone who has received acceptances!

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[Gina]

Congrats to all the kids and their new acceptances! Such an exciting time!

I just wanted to share the interesting phone call I had with financial aid the other day. I called because so many people have reported already receiving offers of merit aid based on test scores, but we haven't heard a thing... I was starting to get concerned. Finaid of any and every sort is the only way any of this is going to happen, and my son has worked really hard on his end. Now my job, as I see it, is to try and put all the pieces together and get him there.

He is applying for some specific scholarships through the Marine Technology Society, since he's a student member, but the two main scholarships in his sights are private, institutional scholarships. One, the Levy scholarship, offers I believe $10K a year for all 4 years (the school is only about $18K a year with room & board & everything, so we could fill in the gaps a lot easier.) I think there are 4 of those offered.

The other one is the Terry Foundation scholarship. This one you can't even apply for -- the school has to nominate you to the foundation for review. The foundation will then choose X number of finalists and bring them in for interviews, then award 16 scholarships.

Anyways, the guy I got in finaid was super nice, and explained that they start sending that stuff out in January. He said he very much understood my concerns, and asked for my son's ID# so he could pull up his record. He looked at everything and reassured me that right off the bat, his rank and whatnot qualifies him for a couple $K, and that with his test scores there was likely several more possibilities. He asked me about my son's activities, and was apparently very happy with my answer about DS working a good 15-20 hours a week for the past two years, as well as the comittment of marching band, while still keeping his grades up.

He asked if we knew about the Terry Foundation scholarship, and I told him that yes, we were familiar, and definitely filled out that part of the school application in the hopes that maybe DS'll be considered. The guy told me, "As it so happens, I am actually a part of that committee, and your son is exactly the sort of student we're looking for to nominate. I'm pulling his file to the side now, and it will be on the top of my pile."

The scholarship amount varies by circumstance, but depending on the parents' financial situation and the student's other scholarship offers, it provides for all tuition, books, room, board, everything. Full ride. I didn't even realize that. They won't do interviews until April, and then they notify winners by May 1st.

I'm SO sorry this got so long... my whole point in sharing this is because I keep being afraid that I'm being too "helicopter-y" -- but if I hadn't called, not only would I not have grasped the importance of this scholarship, but wouldn't have caused my son's profile to be noticed and pulled aside. Maybe it would have eventually... but maybe not, and I would have never known.

So if that makes me helicopter-y, I think I'm ok with it. It's not like I'm going to call his RA and ask that someone tuck my son in every night, LOL.
Again, sorry so long! I just wanted to encourage other dependent-on-financial-aid parents like me to explore all the scholarship options your child's chosen school might offer!


-gina-

 

[madge]

So if that makes me helicopter-y, I think I'm ok with it. It's not like I'm going to call his RA and ask that someone tuck my son in every night, LOL.
Again, sorry so long! I just wanted to encourage other dependent-on-financial-aid parents like me to explore all the scholarship options your child's chosen school might offer!


-gina-

I don't consider that helicopter-y ... that seems more pro-active to me.

But, I'm the parent who got a call from her friend the college admissions counselor because DS checked the wrong box on the Common App for scholarship consideration .... so, what do I know?

 

[elgerber]

It's not like I'm going to call his RA and ask that someone tuck my son in every night, LOL.


-gina-

What? You mean we aren't supposed to do that???

 

[TLuvsD]

From someone who has BTDT (d is a sophomore at college), all I can say is follow up is not helicopter-y. Especially when it comes to scholarships and financial aid.

If DH hadn't followed up on some paperwork that went missing, D would have missed out on a $10K annual scholarship. That's a lot of money. I'm happy to be considered helicopter-y for that much money.

It's so wonderful that so many kids have heard such great new so soon! When we were waiting, we only heard from one school until the end of March. It was nice to have that one acceptance (with $$$) in hand, but waiting all spring was very trying.

Good luck to all! If you have time, get the financial stuff together to be ready to fill out the FASFA.

 

[IDoDis]

Congrats to all the kids and their new acceptances! Such an exciting time! I just wanted to share the interesting phone call I had with financial aid the other day. I called because so many people have reported already receiving offers of merit aid based on test scores, but we haven't heard a thing... I was starting to get concerned. Finaid of any and every sort is the only way any of this is going to happen, and my son has worked really hard on his end. Now my job, as I see it, is to try and put all the pieces together and get him there. He is applying for some specific scholarships through the Marine Technology Society, since he's a student member, but the two main scholarships in his sights are private, institutional scholarships. One, the Levy scholarship, offers I believe $10K a year for all 4 years (the school is only about $18K a year with room & board & everything, so we could fill in the gaps a lot easier.) I think there are 4 of those offered. The other one is the Terry Foundation scholarship. This one you can't even apply for -- the school has to nominate you to the foundation for review. The foundation will then choose X number of finalists and bring them in for interviews, then award 16 scholarships. Anyways, the guy I got in finaid was super nice, and explained that they start sending that stuff out in January. He said he very much understood my concerns, and asked for my son's ID# so he could pull up his record. He looked at everything and reassured me that right off the bat, his rank and whatnot qualifies him for a couple $K, and that with his test scores there was likely several more possibilities. He asked me about my son's activities, and was apparently very happy with my answer about DS working a good 15-20 hours a week for the past two years, as well as the comittment of marching band, while still keeping his grades up. He asked if we knew about the Terry Foundation scholarship, and I told him that yes, we were familiar, and definitely filled out that part of the school application in the hopes that maybe DS'll be considered. The guy told me, "As it so happens, I am actually a part of that committee, and your son is exactly the sort of student we're looking for to nominate. I'm pulling his file to the side now, and it will be on the top of my pile." The scholarship amount varies by circumstance, but depending on the parents' financial situation and the student's other scholarship offers, it provides for all tuition, books, room, board, everything. Full ride. I didn't even realize that. They won't do interviews until April, and then they notify winners by May 1st. I'm SO sorry this got so long... my whole point in sharing this is because I keep being afraid that I'm being too "helicopter-y" -- but if I hadn't called, not only would I not have grasped the importance of this scholarship, but wouldn't have caused my son's profile to be noticed and pulled aside. Maybe it would have eventually... but maybe not, and I would have never known. So if that makes me helicopter-y, I think I'm ok with it. It's not like I'm going to call his RA and ask that someone tuck my son in every night, LOL. Again, sorry so long! I just wanted to encourage other dependent-on-financial-aid parents like me to explore all the scholarship options your child's chosen school might offer! -gina-

That is not helicopter-y. I would have done the same thing or prompted DD to make the call, but she would not have thought to do it on her own. Sounds like your DS has a very high probability of getting a scholarship, keep us posted!

DD received another scholarship notice yesterday to one of our state schools. It covers tuition, fees, and $500 per semester. Higher level scholarships will be awarded in the spring and her application is being considered for those. This is not her chosen school, but it's nice to know just in case. It arrived in the mail in a black tube. Kind of cool.

I have a question about thank you notes for interviews. Have your kids written them? If so, did they email them, send them snail mail, or send a hand-written card? If email addresses aren't available, what is the best option?

 

[Bluestars]

Congratulations on all of the acceptances everyone!

Gina, I don't think you are being too helicoptery at all. I think as long as the kids do most of the work, there is no harm in the parents filling in the gaps. I talk to my son all of the time about his applications, transcripts, and things like that.

My son got an acceptance to one of the colleges on his list. Yay. He is going to college. It's not the one he wants, but at least it's something. He only wants to attend Texas A & M and missed their auto admit by one point on the math section of the ACT. He wants to go there more than the private colleges on his list. Hopefully it will happen.

Good luck everyone! In a few months our kids will probably have made their decisions.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My son logged into the his account for the college he really wanted to attend to see if they accepted his lawful presence paperwork and it said Congratulations on your acceptance to (the name of college).

We haven't gotten an email yet or any paperwork confirming it but he's walking around grinning all day. LOL

 

[TLuvsD]

Congrats to your son! Great news!

 

[Bluestars]

My son logged into the his account for the college he really wanted to attend to see if they accepted his lawful presence paperwork and it said Congratulations on your acceptance to (the name of college).

We haven't gotten an email yet or any paperwork confirming it but he's walking around grinning all day. LOL

That's great news! Congratulations to him. He can really enjoy his Christmas break now.

 

[Gina]

My son logged into the his account for the college he really wanted to attend to see if they accepted his lawful presence paperwork and it said Congratulations on your acceptance to (the name of college).

We haven't gotten an email yet or any paperwork confirming it but he's walking around grinning all day. LOL

Congrats to your son!

My son got an acceptance to one of the colleges on his list. Yay. He is going to college. It's not the one he wants, but at least it's something. He only wants to attend Texas A & M and missed their auto admit by one point on the math section of the ACT. He wants to go there more than the private colleges on his list. Hopefully it will happen.

I have my fingers crossed for your son!! What step is he on and how many tabs does he have showing up in the Howdy portal? And even though he missed being an auto admit, is he still possibly an academic admit?


And thank you, all y'all, for making me feel better about not just cutting all ties and letting my son run with this himself. I do let him handle most of it -- he's got the scholarship stuff pretty organized as far as deadlines and what is needed -- but he doesn't read message boards and wouldn't have any idea that other kids had already received merit aid offers. I'm just viewing all of it as a team effort.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!! And here's to a new year of lots of changes, milestones, challenges, and wonderful new experiences for our kids.

-gina-

 

[Bluestars]

I have my fingers crossed for your son!! What step is he on and how many tabs does he have showing up in the Howdy portal? And even though he missed being an auto admit, is he still possibly an academic admit?


And thank you, all y'all, for making me feel better about not just cutting all ties and letting my son run with this himself. I do let him handle most of it -- he's got the scholarship stuff pretty organized as far as deadlines and what is needed -- but he doesn't read message boards and wouldn't have any idea that other kids had already received merit aid offers. I'm just viewing all of it as a team effort.

I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas!! And here's to a new year of lots of changes, milestones, challenges, and wonderful new experiences for our kids.

-gina-

He still only has two tabs. I've read that when you start seeing more tabs, a decision is close. He has a 4.27 weighted, but since his school doesn't rank A & M put him in the top 25%, so he missed the top 10. His composite ACT was a 30 (34/reading and 33/English) but his math was only a 26, so he missed the requirement there. He is stuck in review. He said that he thinks he will get in and he doesn't want to take the ACt again. I guess I don't blame him, but it is frustrating that he is too lazy to study for the only school he wants to attend. Oh well. I guess it will be what it will be.

Merry Christmas everyone! Happy holidays.

 

[IDoDis]

He still only has two tabs. I've read that when you start seeing more tabs, a decision is close. He has a 4.27 weighted, but since his school doesn't rank A & M put him in the top 25%, so he missed the top 10. His composite ACT was a 30 (34/reading and 33/English) but his math was only a 26, so he missed the requirement there. He is stuck in review. He said that he thinks he will get in and he doesn't want to take the ACt again. I guess I don't blame him, but it is frustrating that he is too lazy to study for the only school he wants to attend. Oh well. I guess it will be what it will be. Merry Christmas everyone! Happy holidays.

Wow, my DD's GPA and ACT scores completely mirror your DS's scores! Her 6th semester GPA was a 4.28, but everything else is the same. And my DD also needed one more point to test out of a certain math class, but she refused to take the ACT again and instead signed up for the college math class this spring via dual-enrollment to get it out of the way. I don't get the logic there, but oh well. Good luck your DS! He should get in! I hope you hear something soon so that you can both rest easy.

 

[heartsy77]

My daughter was accepted to her college of choice and is going to do the " bunk in" program which will save us so much $ ! She is seeking a degree in fire science and will live in a local fire station for free! No form room or meal plan expense! She will go out on fire calls in exchange for room and board she should graduate with $ in her college fund! We are so thrilled!

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[RebeccaUC]

My daughter was accepted to her college of choice and is going to do the " bunk in" program which will save us so much $ ! She is seeking a degree in fire science and will live in a local fire station for free! No form room or meal plan expense! She will go out on fire calls in exchange for room and board she should graduate with $ in her college fund! We are so thrilled!

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My husband did that in college for Fire Science. He loved every minute of it. He also met some of the nicest guys ever who are still some of his closest friends. He's now a Fire Captain in our town.
Which college is it? There are so few for Fire Science out there.

 

[Gina]

He still only has two tabs. I've read that when you start seeing more tabs, a decision is close. He has a 4.27 weighted, but since his school doesn't rank A & M put him in the top 25%, so he missed the top 10. His composite ACT was a 30 (34/reading and 33/English) but his math was only a 26, so he missed the requirement there. He is stuck in review. He said that he thinks he will get in and he doesn't want to take the ACt again. I guess I don't blame him, but it is frustrating that he is too lazy to study for the only school he wants to attend. Oh well. I guess it will be what it will be.

Oh wow, does he know he only needs one measly point more on the math section??

Applicants qualify for automatic academic admission (but not necessarily to the major of choice), if they successfully complete the minimum required coursework and:

• rank in the top quarter of their graduating class;
• achieve a combined SAT Math and SAT Critical Reading score of at least 1300 with a test score of at least 600 in each of these components; or achieve a composite ACT score of at least 30 with a test score of at least 27 in ACT Math and ACT English (students must take the writing component of the SAT and/or ACT in order for the test score to be considered);
• meet the State of Texas Uniform Admission Policy; and
• ensure all required credentials are received by the freshman closing date.


I don't know when the next testing date is anyway, maybe it would be too late. Either way, I hope he finds out something soon!


Now if I could just get my school-weary son who is so happy to be on break, to work on the scholarship stuff he desperately needs to work on... He has one due by the 31st. I think he already has an essay to use for that one, but he needs to actually fill out the app and paste the essay and submit the thing! Here's hoping Santa bringa him some motivation for Christmas.


And I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas!!


-gina-

 

[heartsy77]

It's OCC in Syracuse, NY. She is hoping to transfer to John Jay, Maryland State or a college that program has a wild-land fire program. She wants to move out west and be a wild firefighter.

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[Mom21]

I posted my dd was accepted at FSU for Chemical Engineering, but she just told me a few days ago she got a small scholarship she didn't even apply for and got an invitation to Honor's College. Said she isn't doing it as it is too much work.......SIGH. Oh well. I can only do so much to get her to see the decisions she is making now will affect her entire future.

 

[Bluestars]

My daughter was accepted to her college of choice and is going to do the " bunk in" program which will save us so much $ ! She is seeking a degree in fire science and will live in a local fire station for free! No form room or meal plan expense! She will go out on fire calls in exchange for room and board she should graduate with $ in her college fund! We are so thrilled!

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What a great program! I hope she enjoys it. She will save a ton of money and have some very interesting experiences.

IDoDis, it is smart of your daughter to do the dual-enrollment class. Every little bit helps. My son is looking into starting college in the summer instead of the fall.

Gina, yes, he knows he is only one point away from auto admit. When I mentioned it to him for probably the 20th time, he told me that he isn't going to take the ACT test again because he knows he will get into the school. i feel like Debbie downer when I remind him that he might not get in. He doesn't listen to me. Oh well. I don't get it. It will be one of life's lessons if he doesn't get in.

And Gina, I hope Santa brings both of our sons motivation for Christmas.

 

[Bluestars]

I posted my dd was accepted at FSU for Chemical Engineering, but she just told me a few days ago she got a small scholarship she didn't even apply for and got an invitation to Honor's College. Said she isn't doing it as it is too much work.......SIGH. Oh well. I can only do so much to get her to see the decisions she is making now will affect her entire future.

That's great that she got a scholarship when she didn't even apply. What a nice surprise!