Guidance Project: Financial Aid
Part One- Opportunity
Task 1: Tell me about yourself...
I am currently a student at High Tech High North County. My school is different in the way it prepares us with real world experiences. High Tech is a school that prepares us not only with the education to pass the tests but the education to succeed in the real world. I have been taught people skills and problem solving through group projects and presentation skills by presenting in front of teachers and students. I have learned how to creatively express myself through projects rather than following the crowd. Aside from school, I have always been pretty active with sports. For a long time I was dedicated to spending twenty plus hours at the gym a week for gymnastics and now I am involved with a diving team. Gymnastics and diving have had a huge impact on how I run my life. I was taught discipline, organization, and time management skills just by always being on the go.
I am currently a student at High Tech High North County. My school is different in the way it prepares us with real world experiences. High Tech is a school that prepares us not only with the education to pass the tests but the education to succeed in the real world. I have been taught people skills and problem solving through group projects and presentation skills by presenting in front of teachers and students. I have learned how to creatively express myself through projects rather than following the crowd. Aside from school, I have always been pretty active with sports. For a long time I was dedicated to spending twenty plus hours at the gym a week for gymnastics and now I am involved with a diving team. Gymnastics and diving have had a huge impact on how I run my life. I was taught discipline, organization, and time management skills just by always being on the go.
Task 2: Colleges of Choice
Dream School: Boston College
I visited this college over the summer and I loved everything about the school. It had a beautiful campus, I loved the location, and had a ton of opportunities to choose from. I attended a tour of this college and found out they have many options for studying abroad which is something I’m very interested in. It’s great how the school is away from the city because it allowed the campus to be spread out with a rural feel, but then within minutes you can be right in the city of Boston, which I love as well. Having the school be so close to the city of Boston also opens up many opportunities for deeper learning experiences. I for sure want to go to a college on the East Coast to try something completely new and different. I also have family right outside of Boston so I won’t be too far away from all family.
Wheelhouse School: University of Washington
Although this college isn’t in the East Coast, it is still in an area that is very different from Southern California. Washington is a beautiful area and I love the weather. I chose this school as my wheelhouse because their acceptance rate is pretty high, at 59%, and my GPA and ACT score meet/exceeds requirements. I have a friend who was accepted to this college and was explaining how it is a great college also with how aesthetically beautiful it is as well. What caught my eye was how they have a neurobiology major, something I am currently very interested in. They also have a number of other majors available just in case I change my mind completely.
Safety School: UMass Amherst
This school is also located in the East Coast which is what I want. I listed it as a safety school because their acceptance rate is 62%, which I believe is pretty high. Basing my academics as of now, my grades, ACT scores, and extracurricular activities will make getting accepted into this college very likely. This college offers a wide range of different majors so I will be able to change my major around if I want to try something new. Coming from a very small high school with minimal sports teams, I want to go to a school where there are many sports to go watch or even participate in. UMass has a ton of Division 1 athletic teams, making this college seem like a great choice.
Dream School: Boston College
I visited this college over the summer and I loved everything about the school. It had a beautiful campus, I loved the location, and had a ton of opportunities to choose from. I attended a tour of this college and found out they have many options for studying abroad which is something I’m very interested in. It’s great how the school is away from the city because it allowed the campus to be spread out with a rural feel, but then within minutes you can be right in the city of Boston, which I love as well. Having the school be so close to the city of Boston also opens up many opportunities for deeper learning experiences. I for sure want to go to a college on the East Coast to try something completely new and different. I also have family right outside of Boston so I won’t be too far away from all family.
Wheelhouse School: University of Washington
Although this college isn’t in the East Coast, it is still in an area that is very different from Southern California. Washington is a beautiful area and I love the weather. I chose this school as my wheelhouse because their acceptance rate is pretty high, at 59%, and my GPA and ACT score meet/exceeds requirements. I have a friend who was accepted to this college and was explaining how it is a great college also with how aesthetically beautiful it is as well. What caught my eye was how they have a neurobiology major, something I am currently very interested in. They also have a number of other majors available just in case I change my mind completely.
Safety School: UMass Amherst
This school is also located in the East Coast which is what I want. I listed it as a safety school because their acceptance rate is 62%, which I believe is pretty high. Basing my academics as of now, my grades, ACT scores, and extracurricular activities will make getting accepted into this college very likely. This college offers a wide range of different majors so I will be able to change my major around if I want to try something new. Coming from a very small high school with minimal sports teams, I want to go to a school where there are many sports to go watch or even participate in. UMass has a ton of Division 1 athletic teams, making this college seem like a great choice.
Task 3: 3 Different Majors
Economics at Boston College:
The Economics major provides a critical examination of how the economic system works throughout the world with major focus on the United States. The required courses will give a deeper analytical foundation and develop analytical and empirical research skills. The Economics major provides a general background that is useful to students who plan on finding careers in law, government service, and business as well as those planning careers as professional economists.
Neurobiology at University of Washington:
The neurobiology major offers students a very intense intro to the study of the nervous system. Students determine animal behavior and human disease through the study of the cellular and molecular properties of single nerve cells and the connections among them. Through the core sequence of neurobiology, students gain a deeper understanding of the basic concepts of the nervous system’s functions. Along with basic study skills. Students also learn how to analyze neurophysiological data, and compose and present results. A minimum of 86 credits is required to obtain this major. With this major there are many careers you can continue on to such as careers in medicine, public health, education, pharmaceutical sales, computing, and graduate study.
Architecture and Design at UMass Amherst:
Throughout this major students get an intellectually rigorous design education. The courses are interdisciplinary, collaborative, embrace spirited, socially progressive, and environmentally responsive design.Architecture and Design is one of three programs in the Department of Art, Architecture, and Art History. The Architecture Studies concentration is intended for students who plan to pursue a professional graduate degree in architecture. It requires more courses in architecture studios, architectural history, and technology, and more directed electives related to design.
Economics at Boston College:
The Economics major provides a critical examination of how the economic system works throughout the world with major focus on the United States. The required courses will give a deeper analytical foundation and develop analytical and empirical research skills. The Economics major provides a general background that is useful to students who plan on finding careers in law, government service, and business as well as those planning careers as professional economists.
Neurobiology at University of Washington:
The neurobiology major offers students a very intense intro to the study of the nervous system. Students determine animal behavior and human disease through the study of the cellular and molecular properties of single nerve cells and the connections among them. Through the core sequence of neurobiology, students gain a deeper understanding of the basic concepts of the nervous system’s functions. Along with basic study skills. Students also learn how to analyze neurophysiological data, and compose and present results. A minimum of 86 credits is required to obtain this major. With this major there are many careers you can continue on to such as careers in medicine, public health, education, pharmaceutical sales, computing, and graduate study.
Architecture and Design at UMass Amherst:
Throughout this major students get an intellectually rigorous design education. The courses are interdisciplinary, collaborative, embrace spirited, socially progressive, and environmentally responsive design.Architecture and Design is one of three programs in the Department of Art, Architecture, and Art History. The Architecture Studies concentration is intended for students who plan to pursue a professional graduate degree in architecture. It requires more courses in architecture studios, architectural history, and technology, and more directed electives related to design.
Task 4: Careers
Environmental Economics: Economics Major
Environmental Economics: Economics Major
- Conduct economic analysis related to environmental protection and use of the natural environment, such as water, air, land, and renewable energy resources. Evaluate and quantify benefits, costs, incentives, and impacts of alternative options using economic principles and statistical techniques.
- Salary is $93,070 per year on average.
- California, Massachusetts, Alaska, Vermont, Maryland, and Delaware are all areas that have above average job opportunities and places I would be interested in working in.
- Physicians who treat diseases, injuries, and deformities. Use instruments, appliances, or by manual manipulation to help cure patients.
- Salary: $187,200 per year on average.
- Average opportunities for jobs in California, Washington, Georgia, and Massachusetts. All States I would be interested in working in.
- Plan and design structures, such as private residences, office buildings, theaters, factories, and other structural property.
- On the job they would consult with clients, prepare scale drawings, and plan layouts.
- Salary is $74,110 per year on average.
- Oregon, Washington, New York, and Massachusetts are all states with above average architect job opportunities and places I would be interested in working at.
Part Two- Expenses
Task 1: Forecast of Freshman Expenses
BC Freshman Expenses
UofW Freshman Expenses
UMass Amherst Freshmen Expenses
Task 2: College Scorecards
BC Scorecard
UofW Scorecard
UofMass Amherst
BC is costly but has a very high rate of people who graduate. A red flag for me was seeing how low of a percent BC has for their students being able to pay off their loans. Also the average amount of money that students borrow is really high which would take a long time to pay off. University of Washington is much cheaper to attend but it also has a lower rate for graduation. The rate of which students can pay off their loans is not that much higher than BC’s. For UMass Amherst, the price to attend is in between BC and UW. It also has the lowest rate for graduations but has the highest rate for students paying their loans back. After going over the three school’s scorecards, my first choice would still be BC just because it is still my favorite location and money isn’t a huge concern for my family when choosing colleges.
Task 3: Personal Net Cost
BC Net Price
UofW Net Price
UMass Amheart Net Price
Part Three: Paying for It
Task 1: Fasfa
Task 2: Need-Base Aid
I do not qualify for any of the need based aids.
I do not qualify for Cal Grant.
I do not qualify for Cal Grant.
Task 3: Loans
Federal Student Loans:
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan:
Which loans might be best for you? Why?
I think the best option for loans, in my case, would be the direct unsubsidized loan. It would be hard to apply and receive any loans from the other options because they require the students to have extreme financial need. Unsubsidized loans are for anyone and the amount of money given is very reasonable. Also when choosing federal loans, when it’s time to repay them, the interest costs and much lower than a bank would ask for.
William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan:
- U.S. Department of Education is the lender.
- Up to $5,500 to $12,500 per year
- Direct Subsidized Loans: loans for students who show financial need
- Direct Unsubsidized Loans: loans that student does not have to show financial need to be eligible
- Direct Consolidation Loans allows you to combine all your federal student loans into a single loan
- School bases. School is lender for those with extreme financial aid.
- Up to $5,500 per year
Which loans might be best for you? Why?
I think the best option for loans, in my case, would be the direct unsubsidized loan. It would be hard to apply and receive any loans from the other options because they require the students to have extreme financial need. Unsubsidized loans are for anyone and the amount of money given is very reasonable. Also when choosing federal loans, when it’s time to repay them, the interest costs and much lower than a bank would ask for.
Task 4: Merit-Based Aid
Courage to Grow Scholarship:
This scholarship seems like a good one. The max it gives out is $6,000 which may not seem like a lot but it is more than some of the others offer. The requirements for an application seem pretty simple and doable. An essay is required along with a GPA higher than 2.5.
Do Something Awards:
This aid isn’t given out to a lot of people but only a few students who “win”. It is still something I’m interested in because the reward is very high, $10,000-$100,000. It is also an aid that would inspire me to do something for the community such as a youth driven community project.
Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Program:
This scholarship is something that interests me because it deals with a school in Massachusetts which is my first choice in location for colleges. The max is $6,000 but there is also a minimum of $2,000 which is still helpful.
This scholarship seems like a good one. The max it gives out is $6,000 which may not seem like a lot but it is more than some of the others offer. The requirements for an application seem pretty simple and doable. An essay is required along with a GPA higher than 2.5.
Do Something Awards:
This aid isn’t given out to a lot of people but only a few students who “win”. It is still something I’m interested in because the reward is very high, $10,000-$100,000. It is also an aid that would inspire me to do something for the community such as a youth driven community project.
Massachusetts High Demand Scholarship Program:
This scholarship is something that interests me because it deals with a school in Massachusetts which is my first choice in location for colleges. The max is $6,000 but there is also a minimum of $2,000 which is still helpful.
Task 5: No-Loan Policy
With Elaine Klaiklung story and experience of no-loan policy it is amazing to see what colleges can do to help students financially. Even after reading Elaine’s amazing story, I don’t think her and I will receive the same benefits. She was a student who did very very well academically wise with also many other factors on her side such as having a very low income and also having a single mom. I feel like it would be very unlikely for me to get any sort of no-loan aid because I don’t really have a financial need and also I am not as highly ranked academically wise. My take on the policy itself is that I think it is awesome colleges offer this kind of aid to allow students to attend their college without paying or paying back.
Part Four: Paying it Back
Task 1: Plans
Standard Repayment Plan:
Eligible for the loan that I would want, unsubsidized. It charge you $50 a month for ten years. It may seem like a long time but $50 a month doesn’t seem too bad and it also claims that you will end up paying less interest.
Income Sensitive Repayment Plan:
This repayment plan works for the loan I would consider applying for. It also seems very personalized. It is all based off of your income for that year. If all goes well and I become successful, I will be able to pay off student loans very quickly and not have to worry about them anymore.
Eligible for the loan that I would want, unsubsidized. It charge you $50 a month for ten years. It may seem like a long time but $50 a month doesn’t seem too bad and it also claims that you will end up paying less interest.
Income Sensitive Repayment Plan:
This repayment plan works for the loan I would consider applying for. It also seems very personalized. It is all based off of your income for that year. If all goes well and I become successful, I will be able to pay off student loans very quickly and not have to worry about them anymore.
Task 2: Total Costs
I don’t plan on using any loans because I don’t believe I will be offered any. The only debt I would have to pay would be to my parents but according to them, as long as I stay in school and am doing well, they will support me completely. If I were to need the loans though, I would need a lot for BC and hopefully I would come out of that school very successful so I will be able to pay to loans off very quickly, or at most in ten years time.
Task 3: Reflect
What was most striking to me about the finances of going to college would first be the vast range of costs that it is to attend different colleges. Some are much, much cheaper than others. Also it was somewhat shocking to see how many options there are for financial aid for students with financial struggles. Before this project I never really thought about how I would afford college I just assumed it would be very expensive but after figuring out how much my parents would be able to support me and how many options for financial aid that there are, I am not concerned for payment for college. I still am not certain of which colleges I want to apply for because I rushed through when I picked my other two schools and know there are so many other colleges that have the potential to be the perfect fit for me. But what I have learned through this project is that cost should not be a deciding factor when choosing what colleges you want to apply for. There are many options for overcoming financial challenges you just have to go out and apply for them. If I were to get the job/career that I currently want, it would be easy to repay any loans that I needed. That is of course after I had been in school for many many years so it might add up to a very high cost if I use loans.
Honors Option
For my honors option I decided to make a brochure with info on Boston College. It is a three fold pamphlet with info on the expenses, major, career, net price, scorecard, and how to pay it back. There is also a section on why I would like to attend the school.
Because it has to be folder, the pages are out of order.
Because it has to be folder, the pages are out of order.