10 Tips for Getting More Financial Aid

To the woman making $60,000. a year with 2 college kids, I have to say only this, I would be extatic if I could make $60,000 a year. I too am a single mother of 2 children, only difference is that I have a income of $30,000 not $60,000. and do all that I can to get my oldest child 19 y.o. through college too. If I could double what I am making that would be a tearful moment in my life. Take a vacation??? That does not even cross my mind.New clothes, NEVER!!! My focus is to put food on the table and to get them through college to have a successful future. I am truly blessed to know that my worth is more valuable as a parent who supports a college education at an income of $30,000. A contributing college student is an additional investment and a responsible person, even as a full time student, we all find ways to contribute. Ride the bus instead of owning a car, use the local library instead of having our own comoputer. Micro managing alternate ways of substiting no money into a successful education is key....

B.R. of WA 4:48PM June 24, 2009

My husband and I live modestly- we both have decent jobs. My daughter who just graduated high school in the top 2% of her class with an 1900 on the SAT and a 29 on the ACT (not stellar but good and solid)-took all the pre ap and ap classes offered and received an overall 101 grade point average. She worked the last 2 summers researching and reporting about civic issues in the community through a grant by a senator in our state. She has been in athletics in all 4 years of school, national honor society, national spanish honor society, math club and student council. This kid is no slacker. To make a long story short. She applied to 9 schools- 8 of them back east. She did not get accepted to Amherst or Cornell, her first 2 choices. Her 3rd choice-University of Connecticut offered her $2000. Her friend received a $40,000 scholarship with a lower SAT and much lower(23)Act score (she also got into Stanford). Her counselor told me to call the school and ask if there was a deferred scholarship list. When I called I spoke with an admission counselor and asked her about this. I then asked her-how does one qualify for an academic scholarship. She then got my daughter's application and replied--in these words-"Your daughter would have had to get a 32 on her ACT to receive a scholarship." I would not have said anything until I remembered my daughter's friend--the one with a much lower SAT and ACT score who received the $40,000 scholarship. I then mentioned it to the counselor--she told me to hold on and transferred me. The next woman I spoke with told me, and I quote, "Well the scholarship your daughter's friend recieved was a leadership scholarship--and I see here that your daughter has not participated in any multi-cultural or diverse organizations." At that point I said some things that cannot be written here and made my point of saying--you got to be kidding--we live in a border town in texas-- she is one of very few white (and jewish kids) attending her high school--participated in many different activities, had a recommendation from a hispanic congressman, but her friend (who just happens to be hispanic) who "just went to school" was offered a leadership scholarship!!! I was seething!!That same day I came home and a different school on the east coast offered her a 40,000$ scholarship because of her activities in diversity--. To make my point--I see alot of things here on the border that alot of people don't see. A good majority of the hispanic kids who didn't work half as hard as my daughter receive tons of scholarship money. Alot of these kids never took ap courses, never worked a day in their lives, and I could go on---- I am sick to my stomach!!!! As it ended up she went with her 7th choice--a mostly white presbytarin private school, the only one she applied to in Texas, who not only offered her a 72,000 scholarship, but a chance to actually be a student and not just a number.

Jamie of TX 3:05PM June 24, 2009

I'm a widowed parent of 2 college students, one being physically handicapped. I've researched every possible avenue they say I making 60,000 a year is 2 much, they never consider living expenses, and by no means am I a spender I drive a 10 year old car, I don't take vacations, can't afford them. Pell grants go to inmates, illegals etc. but I keep trying to help my kids. I think it's just ridiculous that banks can 1% loans but I have to pay anywhere from 6 to 12 percent with good credit for school loans.

Just venting!!!

tony pilipauskas of IL 10:24AM June 24, 2009

Dave: not just Russians, but other groups as well, particularly Mexicans, our largest illegal moochers. Incomprehensible that states give illegals IN-state tuition, yet they are in the COUNTRY illegally! Worse, my kid is charged OUT-of-State rates should she want to attend elsewhere!! Moreover, some universities are subsidizing foreigners while our kids are getting those loans & workstudy packages. Fund our kids at 100% with free money before you even think of bringing in foreign kids to take their places because ours will not be able to pay. Worse yet, those they bring over somehow quite never make it back to their home countries, then start chain migration cycle. As to workstudy, what a joke. Some schools clearly do not have enough jobs to go around, but they "award" their kids this option, yet no jobs to be had. And they bust their butts while the rich kids cruise for 4 years. Additionally, schools pushing parents to the Plus loan, knowing very well that the govt will back the loan while the private insurers are turning down the parents. In other words, forcing parents into a corner to take yet another loan they cannot afford knowing that loan will be accepted by the Feds while the private banks turn them down cuz they are not qualified to accept any more debt! Lastly, the ability to play the race card opens up scholarships to a narrow focus of people rather than the supposed nature of the beast: true competition. Eliminate the race card & let kids compete.

karen of OH 10:39AM June 18, 2009