Click here to go to the NEW College Discussion Forum

I am asian so pardon my mistakes. My son has so many requirements for education. We have a modest income and wonder how to furnish him money. He has done okay in SAT by scoring 1310. he recived a free scholarship from one local university and is going for CTY ( I am paying 1500 dollar - 1000 reward by CTY). He is involved in a nuclear physics research with a MIT professor. So we shell money out for his bookds. Now his new demand to get private lesson in music. He is already performing in state orchestar. I am lookinf for your valuable input how can I finance him more. We have another kid also, she is only 2 years old. Your advice as I am sure there may be alot of people in my shoe.

By confused on Wednesday, June 05, 2002 - 02:10 pm: Edit

I am asian so pardon my mistakes. My son (7th grader) has so many requirements for education. We have a modest income and wonder how to furnish him money. He has done okay in SAT by scoring 1310. he recived a free scholarship from one local university and is going for CTY ( I am paying 1500 dollar - 1000 reward by CTY). He is involved in a nuclear physics research with a MIT professor. So we shell money out for his bookds. Now his new demand to get private lesson in music. He is already performing in state orchestar. I am lookinf for your valuable input how can I finance him more. We have another kid also, she is only 2 years old. Your advice as I am sure there may be alot of people in my shoe. By the way he is in 7th grade only. So we have some time to save for college. Please let us know

By Sally Rubenstone on Wednesday, June 19, 2002 - 04:13 pm: Edit

It would be helpful to know where you live in order to offer the best advice about receiving financial aid.

Typically, for students your son's age, you will find that many organizations provide financial assistance to those who need it. When it comes to the study of music, this is especially true--and, often, the more outstanding or prestigious a program is, the more money there is to be given away.

Since you mentioned that your son is working with an MIT professor, I will guess that you live in the greater Boston area. If so, you might want to contact the New England Conservatory of Music or check out their Web site (www.newenglandconservatory.edu). For specific information about their music scholarships for talented young people, go to:

www.newenglandconservatory.edu/prep/tuition/scholarship.html

Your son's music teacher at school (assuming, of course, the music program survived budget cuts) might also offer advice about aid for private instruction.

And, speaking of private instruction...it sounds like you have a very bright and ambitious son. Are you pleased with his current school? If not, his credentials (and ethnic background) might make him a contender for a generous scholarship at a private school. Again, knowing where you live would be useful.

Good luck to you. Keep asking questions as you're doing now.

By confused on Monday, June 24, 2002 - 11:33 am: Edit

We are Indian and live in upstate NY. Yes I am thrilled with his achievements but sad as I can not afford more money to spend. His demands are always to uplift him in a hihger category. I will try to contact my areas musical charitable organizations. My email is doofusman12345@hotmail.com. Thanks

By kim marr on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 05:01 pm: Edit

single mother of five children seeking finanicial aid to help pay cost of private education. Family annual income last year was 15,500

By kim marr on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 05:09 pm: Edit

Single mother of five children seeking financial aid to help pay the cost of private education for her creative and gifted students. We live in the Dallas area and the children have already been tested and accepted into a local school. We can't afford the tuition and there is no financial aid available at this time. The families annual income last year was 15,500. Any referrals will be appreciated.

By Dadster on Friday, August 16, 2002 - 11:39 pm: Edit

Check with the school(s) for starters, Kim. They may have aid available, or know of outside sources of aid you could apply for. For example, most parochial schools have aid for those in need. Other private schools often have aid available, too.

Of course, don't overlook the possibility of finding a great education in public schools. With some creative searching, you might find some special programs, magnet schools, etc. that would offer more opportunity and facilities than the best privates.

By A. Alexander on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 11:39 am: Edit

Please tell me where I can apply for grants or scholarships for my four children, who are in private school. Both parents have salaries well above what is needed to qualify for financial aid.

By Dadster on Monday, December 23, 2002 - 08:02 pm: Edit

Check out finaid.org and fastweb.com, AA. You'll get some leads on possible merit or specialty grants and scholarships.

Despite all the claims of "billions of unclaimed scholarships", it's not all that east to find good scholarship opportunities if need isn't a factor. Often, non-need-based scholarships are very specific in terms of geography, major, applicant characteristics, etc. In addition to the web sites mentioned earlier, try looking in your local area - often, businesses or philanthropists in an area offer scholarships that are more attainable than the national ones.

By Dainah Graham on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 08:16 pm: Edit

We are African American and live just outside the city of Tucson, AZ. We have an academically gifted thirteen year old daughter. She has a 4.0 gpa, has been a Johns Hopkins, Academic Talent Search Scholar and state finalist for 3 years, she plays piano and violin. She has attended a private parochial school for the past seven years and we have managed to pay the tuition, because she is an only child and my husband and I both work. We don't qualify for most scholarships because of our small family size. However, we are both civil servants and earn modest incomes. We are now faced with tough decisions about high school. She was denied admission to Tucson's prestigious University H.S. (public) soley because we live outside district boundaries. Our only options are our very large brand new neighborhood high school with very limited AP/honors choices (but outstanding sports programming & facilities). She has also been accepted at an extremely expensive private college preparatory high school in the city. However, based on our income, it appears that we will not qualify for much or any scholarship money there. Do you know of any resources available for those of us who earn too much to be considered poor, but are too poor to afford expensive private schools?

By Roger (Roger) on Thursday, January 23, 2003 - 09:24 pm: Edit

Wow, that's a tough one, Dainah. My guess is that you will have quite a few options for college aid, but high school is a different story. Local sources are my first thought - I'd start by talking to the appropriate person at the prep school you mention. Probably it would be the headmaster or the person responsible for financial aid. This person might be aware of local foundations or other sources of possible aid. Depending on the school, your daughter's race could help - the school itself might cough up some money to help its diversity quotient.

I wouldn't recommend going into debt to finance a fancy prep school. Your daughter sounds like she will excel wherever she attends, and it's even possible that outstanding achievement in your neighborhood public high school could work to her advantage more than being a good, but not top, performer in a more elite setting.

One other suggestion. As I mentioned above, I think your daughter will have some great options for college if she continues in her current direction. A combination of academic performance, significant extracurricular accomplishment, and URM status is likely to get her some great offers. In addition to applying to a range of schools where she can compare offers, I'd highly recommend that she apply for independent scholarships and grants. Sites like fastweb.com and finaid.org can get you started as college looms a bit closer. Her combination of attributes could net her some nice awards - a good thing if she ends up at a college that determines your family still needs to pay a substantial amount.

Dainah, keep us posted on your daughter's progress, and check back for advice as she starts planning for college. Good luck!

By confused on Friday, January 24, 2003 - 08:57 am: Edit

Dianh your daughter is very bright. I am going to tell you something. i was in your show couple of months ago. Well start searching for scholarships. Listen even if you and your husband has to sacrifice your life style doit, it will be fun for your kids. Use fastweb.com. Write to different organizations. In case if you have any question email me. I am happy to say we have received great garnts for my kid education.

By Kcmom (Kcmom) on Monday, August 25, 2003 - 03:16 pm: Edit

I have a 10 year old daughter who is a gifted violin player and I also have a very talented six year old daughter who plays violin coming up right behind her. We are African-American. They both take private violin lessons. We live in Virginia Beach, VA. Are there scholarships out there for better musical instruments, extra workshops, camps, etc. that we can take advantage of. My husband lost his job and looking for another one. Any information that you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.