Each year, college seniors decline admission to their dream schools simply because the cost of tuition is out of their price range. The college admission process can be a discouraging and disheartening experience for many students, particularly those who stem from families with low-income backgrounds. Unfortunately for most of these students, the price tag of attending college is not the first hurdle they have to face in the college admissions process. Preparing for standardized tests, completing applications for financial aid, and seeking out scholarships are only a few of the time-consuming and costly requirements for high school seniors. As a low-income college student attending a public college out-of-state, there were many moments of despair when it came to figuring out how I could afford a college education. With my experience and knowledge of the college application process now, I hope to help other low-income students in alleviating the stress that accompanies navigating the future by sharing the resources that helped me on my journey.
- QuestBridge
As I approached my senior year of high school, it became clear that my college choices would become limited due to the overwhelming cost of tuition. As a high-achieving student, I had dreams of attending a top university at which I could pursue my passions and immerse myself in a like-minded community.
I first discovered QuestBridge and the National College Match at the beginning of my senior year. As previously mentioned, many students across the United States with exceptional grades, standardized test scores, and academic and extracurricular achievements still struggle to attend college due to their financial situations. It is the mission of QuestBridge to help the country’s most academically advanced, low-income, and first-generation college students to attend top universities without the stress of deciphering how to afford tuition.
Although the QuestBridge application process is lengthy and tedious, for many low-income and first-generation college students, becoming a Finalist or matching with a college can be a game-changing moment. If you are selected as a National College Match Finalist, you are subsequently evaluated by the colleges that you “rank,” with the chance to be admitted with all four years of tuition completely paid for. Many finalists do not match with their top school, as the process is highly selective, however, they are allowed to apply Early Decision I or II, Early Action, or Regular Decision to schools of their choice. Many finalists are accepted by top universities and colleges each year and are given generous aid due to their accomplishments through QuestBridge.
Although I did not attend a QuestBridge partner school, I was a National College Match Finalist. This achievement provided me with an opportunity to stand out amongst many applicants to colleges and universities. I highly recommend that all low-income students look into QuestBridge and the academic/financial requirements when beginning the college application process.
- FAFSA + Financial Aid
Navigating FAFSA is a tricky process for prospective college students. The terminology that FAFSA uses can be confusing to those unfamiliar with the application. The unfamiliar terminology can cause confusion when students attempt to understand the total cost they are expected to pay in regards to tuition. Firstly, you will (more often than not) need an extensive amount of financial information from your parent(s) or guardian. For many low-income students, retrieving this information can be frustrating or nearly impossible. Beginning the FAFSA application as soon as possible can ensure that all deadlines are met and the application is processed correctly. Applicants will also need their most recent tax returns (if applicable), as well as information regarding financial assets. These can be retrieved through the IRS link included in the FAFSA application.
When provided with an EFC (Expected Family Contribution), many students are led to believe that this is all they will be required to pay for their tuition. However, this term is misleading, as it only includes out-of-pocket costs. The amount of financial aid you receive is completely dependent on each college or university; therefore, researching costs and scholarships before applying is advised.
Your EFC does not include the loans that many need to pay for the cost of college. This should also be kept in mind when reviewing financial aid packets after acceptance, as many include subsidized and unsubsidized loans. Most private colleges and universities will provide more aid for low-income students due to their access to grants and scholarships. While grants and scholarships do not need to be repaid, loans require repayment after graduation. Public colleges and universities are less likely to provide a substantial amount of aid to out-of-state students, making them often unaffordable for non-resident low-income students. Before you discount staying in-state for college, in-state scholarships and grants should be placed into consideration, as they can often reduce the cost of attendance to a very affordable rate. In-state tuition is considerably less expensive than out-of-state; however, if you wish to venture beyond your home state, I suggest that you inquire about the financial aid offered at each school that you apply to.
- Fee Waivers
Fee waivers proved to be a godsend for me when I began applying to colleges. Application Fees, as well as SAT/ACT tutors and prep courses, can add up if you are a low-income student. Oftentimes, if you qualify, you can receive fee waivers for applications and standardized tests through the Common App and Coalition applications. These waivers can save students anywhere from $50-1500, depending on how many schools you choose to apply to. Qualification for application fee waivers can also qualify you for SAT and ACT fee waivers, which can greatly benefit students who take these tests multiple times to improve their scores.
While they are slightly less common, an advantage for low-income students is tuition fee waivers. For low-income students who attend out-of-state universities (public or private), often qualifications can be met to receive a tuition fee waiver. For example, in Texas, if an out-of-state student is admitted to a university with a departmental scholarship of over $1000 a year, they can be considered for an out-of-state tuition waiver. It is important to note that these waivers are not guaranteed and are issued per semester at a very minimal number for undergraduate students. Despite the low amount of waivers available, one should inquire within their college or university before declining to attend.
To conclude
Applying to college as a low-income student can seem impossible. It is heartbreaking to receive an admittance that recognizes your hard work and dedication and have to decline due to financial reasons. However, understanding external opportunities and the caveats of the application process is vital in ensuring that low-income students have covered all the bases before giving up their college dreams. If the price tag of a certain school remains out of your budget even after you have applied for all the mentioned forms of aid, the financial aid department of your college or university can be contacted directly to inquire about the possibility of more aid or financial assistance. The college application and admissions process is undoubtedly a difficult task, but nevertheless, not impossible if you are willing to go the distance for your dream.
Below are links to the resources mentioned within this article:
https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/fees/fee-waivers
https://www.act.org/content/dam/act/unsecured/documents/FeeWaiver.pdf