I’m concerned about paying for college since my parents make over $80k a year, which means I won’t qualify for much financial aid, but they won’t be contributing to my college costs. I have a 29 ACT, a 4.4 weighted GPA (3.8 unweighted), and 6 AP credits (Bio, HUG, WH, Lang/Lit, Gov, USH). I’m an AP Scholar, a BigFuture Ambassador, and involved in three clubs/extracurriculars. I essentially need to attend college for free. Given this, what level of colleges should I realistically be considering? I’m in MS, if that helps.
NY has the Excelsior Scholarship - free tuition!
Honestly, starting at a community college and then transferring to a four-year university is your most affordable option in the vast majority of cases. The exact cost will depend on your state and the strength of your application essays. With your stats, you might qualify for partial tuition coverage at a flagship university. It’s also worth exploring smaller private schools, as their financial aid packages can be more unpredictable.
There are tuition-free colleges, but they typically operate as working campuses, where students hold jobs in areas like landscaping, janitorial work, or the campus café, for example. Warren Wilson College in North Carolina is one of them, and there are others out there—you just have to do some research
Focus on schools near your city, as they often have local scholarships available. Some are specific to certain schools and offered within the community. I recommend searching for local scholarships in your area online to find a list. You can also ask your school for information, as they should be aware of these opportunities!