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My family income is between 15,000 and 16,000. My dad got $5,000 tax return last year. I am junior and my dream school has been JHU since I was eight grade. My parents know that I dream of going to that school, and they are trying not to discourage me. But now I really feel like I have no choice but going to state school. I work 30 hours a week to support my family, and going to state school seems to be a last option I've got.
But I'd like to ask you guys if there's any way that I can afford JHU. I know it's kind of a dumb question, but I'm desperate. We just moved to USA like two year and a half from korea, and both of my parents don't speak english so it's really hard for them to have high-income jobs. Fortunately, We all have greencard>>I'm qualified for financial aid.
I have decent stats, not super, but ok (like 1470 SAT with 3.97 GPA and some leadership positions). Both of my folks are highschool graduates, and I have one more sister with one-year difference. I'm the oldest.

Can anybody help me?

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 04:07 pm: Edit

Blue... you need less help than you imagine! Your chances of getting a very good financial aid offer are excellent.

You have the public college/private college thing figured wrong. Your BEST chance is at a PRIVATE college that meets 100% of demonstrated need---and you certainly can demonstrate a lot of need.

Most public colleges cannot meet 100% of need.

Even though a private college costs a lot more, you will get a better deal than you would at a school that, while costs less, also GIVES you less.

Understand?

By Momof2 (Momof2) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 04:43 pm: Edit

Agree completely with MT. Question - do you have a good high school counselor or trusted teacher to help you with the paperwork? This would be the time to be straighforward, but brutally honest about the family financial situation and your aspirations.

By Blueyou16 (Blueyou16) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 09:11 pm: Edit

I have talked to my school counselor about my financial status for quite a bit of time, and she fully understands my situation. I think she really can help me with the paperwork.

By Momof2 (Momof2) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 10:04 pm: Edit

Great - then you are ahead of a lot of folks, at least in the counselor category! I assume you can select 5 or 6 other schools besides JHU to which you can apply? If the application fees are a problem, a lot of schools offer full or partial waivers. Check into it. If not, you might seriously consider working a little extra this summer to cover the fees. In addition to university sponsored scholarships, you also sound like an excellent candidate for local scholarships - follow your counselor's advice. Have you taken any SAT II's?

Hang in there - I bet you achieve all your dreams!

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 10:21 pm: Edit

Fee waiver forms are provided by high school counselors to students who meet certain income guidelines. Just send one of the waiver forms with each application--instead of money. You don't have to ask permission ahead of time. When the college sees that fee waiver, they will be satisfied.

By Momof2 (Momof2) on Friday, June 20, 2003 - 10:27 pm: Edit

Thanks,MT - not in my area of expertise.

By Blueyou16 (Blueyou16) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 10:58 am: Edit

I have taken Korean, Biology, MathIIC, and Writing SAT IIs, and I scored 790, 770, 800, and 690 for each. I'm trying to find local scholarships that I can apply, and I already applied to scholarship that is for former ESOL student.
Well, thank you for all your concerns and thoughts. I feel kind of relieved now.

By Morgantruce (Morgantruce) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 12:38 pm: Edit

I think most readers here are in awe of your ambition and your stats, but most of all--your dedication to your family.

By L_Wonder (L_Wonder) on Monday, June 23, 2003 - 11:09 pm: Edit

I think you have a very good chance of getting the money you need. I don't want to go and push Cornell again, but I think that your grades and background will qualify you for one of those full ride scholarships that they give every year.
Also, there are tons of random scholarships that people don't apply for. I know-my mom still yells at me for the few that I left uncompleted on my desk so many years ago
Good luck!