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too rich to get financial aid...but far too poor to afford US

Hey

I know there must be some others of you in my position so hopefully you can help.

I come from a middling well off family but we are by no means rich. I would like to apply to US unis but I don't see how we can afford it. I did an online test, and found out that I do not qualify for a single cent of financial aid.

While I know I am lucky to be well-off, there is a difference between being reasonably well-off and being a millionaire.

There is ABSOLUTELY NO WAY my parents can afford to pay the full tuition fees without making major sacrifices, getting a huge mortgage, or moving house.
I've looked up all the Ivies and some others and feel pretty down. Surely there must be something I can do? How hard is it to get a scholarship or sponsorship?

thanks
xxx

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Reply 1

Oldmannow

i think HYP would give you some if you got in...doubt the
others will though from what ive heard on here and CC.

Reply 2

ebonyphoenix

Princeton gives excellent financial aid. If you can get accepted, believe me, they will do everything they can to make you be able to afford to go. But alas, getting accepted is the difficult part!

If you lower your sights a bit and have excellent grades and SAT scores you can qualify for merit scholarships. I got a $15,000/yr scholarship to a small liberal arts college in Georgia- Agnes Scott.

Washington University in St. Louis is known to have a lot of scholarships and Rhodes College is another excellent university with good aid and merit money.

Reply 3

Oldmannow

does that apply for International students as well?

Reply 4

Sam2k

abrp

does that apply for International students as well?

That will be different for every college. Many however are looking for diversity and would love to give aid to a well qualified international candidate. Also, it is getting on to be a little late to apply for financial aid for 2007-2008. Many schools will have already depleted their scholarship monies.

Reply 5

Otarru

Well if you're looking at Ivy leagues don't be surprised you can't afford them. There are plenty unis which are not Ivy league and give top quality education at more affordable prices like University of Virginia, Berkeley, and UCLA.
But if you're looking for scholarships you may as well give up. Most US unis have a policy of not giving any financial aid to international students. If you look closely, however, you might find some smaller ones that do. I, for example, got a $7,500/yr scholarship at a technical institute in Florida and am myself an international student though I don't think I'm going there.

Reply 6

badegine

Moncal

Also, it is getting on to be a little late to apply for financial aid for 2007-2008. Many schools will have already depleted their scholarship monies.

Sorry, just to clarify here - this means for study beginning 2007? I don't want to think that I've already missed the boat with admission for Sep. 2008!

Thanks,

badegine

Reply 7

EconLou

If your into the mormon lifestyle there is brigham young in utah... only $3000 per year fees for everyone! (that's less than UK) although there are the crazy LDS requirements...

Anyway, if you are set on the US, and not hung up about prestige, then do a search on collegeboard for colleges within your price range. Alternatively, as some have suggested, go for the scholarships.

Reply 8

Ink

Most people can't afford the tuition fees, even after they get financial aid.

That's what loans are for.

Reply 9

djchak

May I ask, what is your major?

There are plenty of excellent non ivy league uni's in the US.

My hometown has a few. :smile:

Reply 10

life sux

some universities like boston are generous in awarding scholarships if u are really good.. so give it a try!

Reply 11

WokSz

Tufts is another College I heard is good at offering aid.

Reply 12

shady lane

Washington University in St. Louis is a very good university that offers lots of $$$.

Reply 13

djchak

Heres a good value...maybe the best one in the US, actually....

http://www.byuh.edu/index.jsp

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/directory/brief/drglance_1606_brief.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young_University

And no, you don't have to be religious....

C'mon..... college in Hawaii !

If I had to pay for college myself, this would have been my first choice. Fairly well known. (in the US)

Reply 14

forpolarbears

I have a bunch of Mormon friends, and apparently BYU-H is really hard to get in to because everyone applies because its in Hawaii, so it has to be really selective. So most of them are just going to regular BYU.

Reply 15

djchak

Yes...but they have a sattelite office in London, and it's worth checking out, giving it a try....

You don't HAVE to do the LDS stuff. Most people do. Hey, if you want a super deal like that...there is going to be something you have to do....

Then again, if you do want to drink and have sex with people..it's a no go.

If that's the case...maybe UNC, Chapel Hill?

Reply 16

dismal_laundry

Spend a gap year living at home, working, and saving every penny. Try for 2008.

Also, look on http://www.fastweb.com

There are many small awards on this site, and you have to check each one individually, using a link to go on the sponsor's website, and read the eligibility criteria. You might find some for which you are eligible as an international student.

You also have to be a very strong student to get a college to offer you serious money.

It's possible, but you will need to check a lot of possibilities and spend a lot of time on researching it. Good luck.

Reply 17

Gars de baccalaureats

why dont you just study in the UK huh?

if you cant afford it then dont go

i want a bigger house (just like you want a better education) but i cant have it because i cant afford it.

Reply 18

shady lane

djchak

You can get expelled for cohabitation, let alone having sex or drinking. You'd have to be pretty religious to be happy with that kind of lifestyle anyway. A girl that went on the Real World was expelled for living with boys during the show.