What are my chances for getting a full ride?

I’m worried about how I’ll pay for college. My parents make over 80k a year, so I won’t qualify for financial aid, and they’re not paying for my college. I’ve got a 29 ACT, 4.4 GPA (3.8 unweighted), 6 AP credits, and I’m involved in a few clubs. I need to go to college for free if possible. What kind of colleges should I be looking at? I’m from Mississippi, if that helps.

Have you looked into the Excelsior Scholarship in New York? It covers tuition if you meet the requirements.

Your GPA and ACT scores are pretty strong, and with your extracurriculars, you should definitely apply for merit scholarships. Check out schools that offer good scholarships, and don’t forget to apply for outside scholarships too!

Zev said:
Your GPA and ACT scores are pretty strong, and with your extracurriculars, you should definitely apply for merit scholarships. Check out schools that offer good scholarships, and don’t forget to apply for outside scholarships too!

I don’t think this is realistic. Outside of your home state, it’s tough to get a full ride with those stats. You might have better luck in-state or with smaller schools.

You should try for local scholarships. They are often easier to get than national ones.

Vail said:
You should try for local scholarships. They are often easier to get than national ones.

I live in New York, could you tell me more about local scholarships?

Quill said:

Vail said:
You should try for local scholarships. They are often easier to get than national ones.

I live in New York, could you tell me more about local scholarships?

Try looking into scholarships from your community or school. Some schools offer special scholarships for local students. You can ask your school counselor or just search online for scholarships in your area.

Quill said:

Vail said:
You should try for local scholarships. They are often easier to get than national ones.

I live in New York, could you tell me more about local scholarships?

Try the lesser-known ones too.

Quill said:

Vail said:
You should try for local scholarships. They are often easier to get than national ones.

I live in New York, could you tell me more about local scholarships?

There are so many opportunities in the U.S. Just search for local ones, and you’ll find something.

Isan said:

Quill said:
Vail said:
You should try for local scholarships. They are often easier to get than national ones.

I live in New York, could you tell me more about local scholarships?

There are so many opportunities in the U.S. Just search for local ones, and you’ll find something.

I forgot to mention I don’t have a green card, just a Social Security number.

Honestly, starting at community college and then transferring to a 4-year university is often the cheapest route. Your stats might cover part of your tuition at a state school, but smaller private schools might surprise you with better offers.

There are some tuition-free colleges, but they usually require students to work on campus. Warren Wilson College in North Carolina is one example. There are more, but you’ll need to do some research!

Lin said:
I’m worried about how I’ll pay for college. My parents make over 80k a year, so I won’t qualify for financial aid, and they’re not paying for my college. I’ve got a 29 ACT, 4.4 GPA (3.8 unweighted), 6 AP credits, and I’m involved in a few clubs. I need to go to college for free if possible. What kind of colleges should I be looking at? I’m from Mississippi, if that helps.

You have a good chance if you target the right schools. Look for in-state schools where you’re one of the top students. Smaller, non-flagship public universities are a good place to start.