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General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: stroker71 on February 13, 2009, 02:50:15 PM

Title: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: stroker71 on February 13, 2009, 02:50:15 PM
Well it's for my daughter and she's my oldest so I am not sure where to go to find what I need.  She was to get into a pre-med school and it's not a pipe dream she is in the top 5 of her class and taking all the AP classes she can.  She is a very driven young lady and is the type that if she wants it she will get it.  We live in Indiana so I would like her to stay in the state but if she can get the right deal she can go anywhere.  She took the SAT for the first time a few months ago and scored a 1300.  She is a JR. this year so I wanted to start now applying or atleast looking around because to be honest I can not afford medical school.  I will help her all I can but I can't just write a check to cover the cost.  She was looking into Butler University but it's $27,000 a year....eeek.  She is going to apply for FAFSA and that will help.  Also with her grades/test scores she should get more help.   Any advise would be helpfull as this is my first time going through this...HELP!
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: superpug1 on February 13, 2009, 03:08:42 PM
FAFSA wont help if your making good money. My parents are supposed to pay 32,000 a year for school, so says FAFSA. My dad is an assistant principle, my mom is a facilities manager at the local university... There is no bloody way... From what I can tell with her grades she will get some merit scholarships from the school. I was in the top 10percent of my class and only scored a 1296 on SAT, that merited 10grand a year from OU, and 6 grand a year from Embry Riddle Aeronautical. The military is a good source of money... I have a type 2 USAF scholarship, it does come with a 4 year minimum commitment so do your research... There are tons of websites that have lists and lists of scholarships that apply to you. you set up a profile.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: druski85 on February 13, 2009, 03:16:24 PM
Yea Stroker my mom did not qualify for any FAFSA either...apparently a well paid high school teacher can afford 14k a year. (state school  :aok)  However my SAT score was in the same neighborhood as your daughter (1340) and my class rank was decent, so I got a merit based scholarship to help cover it.  If they do not outright offer one, don't be afraid to inquire when you go visit.  Treat it like a job interview, essentially having her point out what she would bring to the table.  In many cases, the university will grant some funding if she can pitch her case. 

Other than that, as superpug said there are countless websites that compile scholarships, just keep your eyes open.

Side note:  Did they stop making SAT scores multiples of 10 sometime in the past 7 years?

"scored a 1296 on SAT"    :huh
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: stroker71 on February 13, 2009, 03:50:59 PM
Thanks guys.  We have looked at some sites but it's hard to pick the one that is not going to take your info a sell it or end up with tons of junk mail.   She already gets invites to colleges all over the country as I am sure lots of High Schoolers do.  Just so hard to find the "right" one to deal with.  Some time in the spring we are going to Indy to check out IU and Butler and see what they are all about.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Frodo on February 13, 2009, 04:17:10 PM
If she can score well on her ACT tests, there is a lot of help available. My son did very well on his, and got all kinds of offers. I think he scored a 32, and the top is 36. Saved us a lot of $ and headaches!

See if your state has any programs available. Missouri has one called "bright flight" (sp), and if you meet the academic rules, they pay 1/2 of the cost of a 4 year college.

I have a daughter who is a senior this year. I do not think she will score as well, and we are struggling with the how the heck can we afford it. We can help some but not all that is needed! She is working on applying for scholarships every weekend.

Good luck

Frodo
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Banshee7 on February 13, 2009, 04:20:52 PM
I'm a Junior in high school and haven't taken the ACT but once (in 8th grade)...scored a 22 then, so I'm kind of anxious to take it again and see what I score.  I'm #3 in my class, less than half a point (100 point scale) between me and #1. (Overall average is 98.89)

[/bragging]  :P
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Shuffler on February 13, 2009, 05:24:55 PM
I will be putting my daughter on my payroll. She'll be going to A&M University next fall. She is in the top 3% which means she was accepted. Once accepted the University sent lots of info on scholarships and grants available for her choice of interests, which is meteorology. Another source is High School Counselors... they can point you in the right direction also. Good Luck!
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: spacer on February 13, 2009, 05:40:45 PM
Don't forget to look into Grants too!  You may make too much money, but it is worth a try!  Check with the local Jr. Colleges and see if they can give you any advice.  If there financial aid department is worth anything they should help by at least answering questions and giving forms.  They all kinda follow the quote, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste!"

Good luck to you and Most of all to her

Spacer
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: texasmom on February 13, 2009, 11:35:31 PM
http://www.college-scholarships.com/free_scholarship_searches.htm
I don't know how reliable this search site is, but google scholarship lists to get more lists.

Without a doubt, the work that any prospective student places into time spent putting together a scholarship application will be the absolute best return on respective time spent working.

Lets say they spend a full ten hours (probably far above necessary) on an application, and receive a mere $2000 scholarship.  Where else is a high school kid going to have the opportunity for a $200 per hour job for 10 hours.  Then spend just a little bit more on a few more applications and voila!

Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: stroker71 on February 14, 2009, 12:37:05 AM
We with the economy in the state it is my income should get low enough I can get food stamps.  I work in the RV industry and my income use to be respectable but has dropped every year for the last 3.  I am a single parent and my she lives with me....and has since she was 2 when her mom and I got divorced.  It would just sicken me to have my daughters goals, dreams and hard work go down the drain.  I have always raised her to have those goals, dreams and to work hard for the things you want in life.  But in the same token no one is going to hand you a golden ticket.

We have talked about the military and that is an option on the table but it will be a last resort.

Thanks everyone and Momzilla I'll look into that website.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Chalenge on February 14, 2009, 01:28:24 AM
Stroker I hate to say it but do what you have to do to get her through. She can help in fact. If it were me I would take a second job or third if I already had two (hopefully you still have work).
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: stroker71 on February 14, 2009, 10:51:08 AM
Stroker I hate to say it but do what you have to do to get her through. She can help in fact. If it were me I would take a second job or third if I already had two (hopefully you still have work).

I work in Elkhart county live in LaGrange county and if you know anyone with a camper it was probably built somewhere close to me.  Yeah we built that many here.  Right now Elkhart county has the highest unemployment rate in the country at 15% and it's still climbing.  But I will do what ever I can for her I always have.  The problem with a second or third job is it's hard to find a first job.  But I am still employed just work is real slow.  Anyway if you know anyone looking for a park model tell them to check out http://www.dutchpark.com/index.html   

She is bullheaded enough to get through this and to make her dreams happen.  We plan on testing that theory that "If there's a will there's a way".  And we will find it.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Denholm on February 14, 2009, 11:21:27 AM
www.collegeboard.com

They have a free scholarship, grant, and loan search.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Shuffler on February 14, 2009, 11:46:17 AM
There are quite a few grants that are not based on income but rather on GPA.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: 442w30 on February 14, 2009, 11:53:31 AM
My step son, Randy, has been looking at various colleges this past year and one surprising thing I have learned is that many schools that have a hard time recruiting have OUTSTANDING scholarship opportunities based on ACT/SAT scores and GPA.  The example I will use is University of Wyoming.  He has a mid 3 GPA, and scored a 25 on the ACT. Worse than your daughter's scores.  He has been accepted at Wyoming and with those scores qualifies for Peak acheivement scholarship of around 2/3s of the tuition/books/dorm.  Her scores look to place her in a situation where she would receive close to a free ride.  And yes, those numbers are based on out of state tuition.  (we do not live in Wyoming).

Her big advantage is her grades and test scores.  

Another thing you might consider instead of a private school like Butler is a state school for her to get her Bachelors, and then a transfer to another school should she still be interested in a doctorate.  

Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: stroker71 on April 05, 2010, 03:29:44 PM
I know it a big bump but I figured it was better than a new thread!

Well she got accepted to Butler U a few months ago and just got the info on what they are going to do for her.  Butler is just under 40k a year and when we started this I thought there was NO WAY I was going to be afford that university. With grants, scholarships, one loan (small one) those will cover 36K a year for her.  Bonus is her housing and meal plan is included in the 40k (Would hope so) so looks like I'll be cheering on the Bulldogs tonight as they play Duke in the NCAA finals!

WMBohicA
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Hoarach on April 05, 2010, 03:51:56 PM
Let me see if I can help at all.

I am also a pre-med bio major at Western New England College which is a small private college in Springfield, MA.

The whole FAFSA thing depends on several factors.  Depends on how much the household income is, how much in your bank account and your kid's, how many kids you have going to school, and how much the school is to attend. 

The biggest factor is also how much money the school gives out which depends on how much they receive from the government and how much in donations they receive.

If she is still looking for scholarships, the biggest site to use is fastweb.com.  Going need it probably for books as books go for about $1k.  I know that I have some of the most expensive books on campus because the sciences are the most expensive next to the law books and the single most expensive books are the organic chem books at about $400.

I know my school is one of the largest givers in money in the area and its a 40k school and Im paying about 15k to go.

Make her take a major on because you can't do much with a pre-med degree and if you dont get into medical school she has a fall back plan.  There really isnt a pre-med degree at most schools as well but it is really just a course of classes to take that medical schools require.

Make sure she fills out the FAFSA every year though as some people do forget as it is required to get aid for the next year.


I am currently a 1st semester junior because I am a semester ahead and starting to get all the plans together for the MCATs.

Tell her good luck in her adventures and if she wants any advice she is more than welcome to hit me up as I am also the vice president of my school's pre-med group.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Jayhawk on April 05, 2010, 03:55:16 PM
Fill out the FASFA, it gets mixed results as you can see, but it's been very helpful for me.

Here's a list of Freshman Scholarships at the University of Kansas (Also boasts one of the top medical schools in the country *cough cough*).
http://admissions.ku.edu/freshmen/scholarships/freshman_scholarships.shtml (http://admissions.ku.edu/freshmen/scholarships/freshman_scholarships.shtml)

Here is some more general information about grants and scholarships though the KU website.
http://www.kumc.edu/studentcenter/finscholarship.html (http://www.kumc.edu/studentcenter/finscholarship.html)

It's rough, and it's nearly impossible to get through medical school without taking out loans.  Totally worth it in the end.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: RightF00T on April 06, 2010, 08:05:06 PM
I'll just say make sure she gets her partying out of the way....it's one thing to get those scholarships and have your first year paid for...but do terrible and have to pay the next 4-5 years.  Seen it too many times.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: RTR on April 06, 2010, 08:27:38 PM
I know it a big bump but I figured it was better than a new thread!

Well she got accepted to Butler U a few months ago and just got the info on what they are going to do for her.  Butler is just under 40k a year and when we started this I thought there was NO WAY I was going to be afford that university. With grants, scholarships, one loan (small one) those will cover 36K a year for her.  Bonus is her housing and meal plan is included in the 40k (Would hope so) so looks like I'll be cheering on the Bulldogs tonight as they play Duke in the NCAA finals!

WMBohicA

Stroker that is really great news :)

You must be a very proud Papa, and your daughter sounds like a great kid.

Having had one daughter finish college and another in her final year I understand the sacrifices of the parents (or parent), and recognize the drive some of our kids have these days.

Sound like she "done good" and sounds like you "done did good" too. :rock

From one proud Papa to another...give her a hug and a well done from this old Canuck please.

cheers,
RTR

Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Jayhawk on April 06, 2010, 08:39:32 PM
 :rolleyes: Ha, I didn't even look at the dates on this.  I read the OP and was in a bit of a hurry so didn't read the rest of the thread (including the update).  Well, never mind then.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Hoarach on April 06, 2010, 08:44:39 PM
Fill out the FASFA, it gets mixed results as you can see, but it's been very helpful for me.

Here's a list of Freshman Scholarships at the University of Kansas (Also boasts one of the top medical schools in the country *cough cough*).
http://admissions.ku.edu/freshmen/scholarships/freshman_scholarships.shtml (http://admissions.ku.edu/freshmen/scholarships/freshman_scholarships.shtml)

Here is some more general information about grants and scholarships though the KU website.
http://www.kumc.edu/studentcenter/finscholarship.html (http://www.kumc.edu/studentcenter/finscholarship.html)

It's rough, and it's nearly impossible to get through medical school without taking out loans.  Totally worth it in the end.

Hate to break it to you man but Kansas didnt even receive a score in this year's medical school rankings.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/primary-care-rankings

Rightfoot huge right though get the partying out of the way hurt me my first semester.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: Jayhawk on April 06, 2010, 09:05:46 PM
Hate to break it to you man but Kansas didnt even receive a score in this year's medical school rankings.

http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-medical-schools/primary-care-rankings

Rightfoot huge right though get the partying out of the way hurt me my first semester.

Admittedly I was not aware of the latest numbers but that is only a single way to measure a school.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: BowHTR on April 07, 2010, 09:19:35 AM
move to Georgia over the summer. and let her attend a Ga High school for her senior year. that would out her in the position for hope scholarship, this covers all tuition and books. Then fill out FASFA and she will be completely covered. you wont have to pay for anything except for meal plans.
Title: Re: College Scholarships...need help
Post by: redman555 on April 07, 2010, 09:39:29 AM
Have her talk to her school councilor.  They can get you paperwork and such.

-BigBOBCH