Jennifer

Biology/Pre-Med Major
SAT: 1460 (without writing)
Initially looked at 1 college, then considered 24, then applied to 9
Family income approximately $110,000

Results:

Attending University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Cost of
attendance: $27,398 per year
Received: - $15,000 Carolina Scholarship
- $ 2,625 Stafford Loan

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= $ 9,773 Out-of-pocket costs per year (to go to an out-of-state, tier 1 college)

Dad is going to retire 2.5 years early

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $70,500

Catherine

Theater Major
SAT: 1310 (without writing)
Family income approximately $263,000

Results:

Attending Florida State University
Cost of
attendance: $17,212 per year
Received: - $2,400 University Freshman Scholarship
- $ 4,020 Bright Futures Scholarship

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= $ 10,792 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $25,680

Matt

English Literature Major
SAT: 1150 (without writing)
Looked at 8 colleges, in and out of state
Family income approximately $225,000/ year

Results:

Attending St. Edwards University (TX)
Cost of
attendance: $33,868 per year
Received: - $ 8,000 St. Edwards Grantp
- $ 4,500 President’s Award
- $ 2,625 Stafford Loan
- $ 8,059 PLUS Loan

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= $10,684 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $50,000

Sara

Psychology Major
SAT: 1940 (with writing)
Considered 15 colleges nationwide, then applied to 7
Family income approximately $106,000
Older student at Cornell – parents are paying $42,779 per year

Results:

Attending Ursinus University (PA)
Cost of
attendance: $40,650 per year
Received: - $20,400 Ursinus Grant
- $ 2,625 Subsidized Loan
- $ 7,500 Ursinus Loan

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= $10,125 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Filed forms with Cornell again and received over $20,000 of aid for the older student

Total savings (free money) over 4 years (for both students): $161,600

Morgan

Psychology Major
SAT: 1260 (without writing)
Initial college pick 1, Considering 15 colleges nationwide, then applied to 7.
Family income approximately $123,000

Results:

Attending Hollins University (VA)
Cost of
attendance: $27,500 per year
Received: - $10,000 Hollins Scholar
- $ 3,500 Stafford Loan

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= $14,000 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $40,000

Alex

Pre-med Major
SAT: 2100 (with writing)
Looked at 22 colleges nationwide, then applied to 10
Family income approximately $128,000

Results:

Attending Syracuse University
Cost of
attendance: $45,500 per year
Received: - $16,000 Syracuse Grant
- $ 3,500 Stafford Loan

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= $26,000 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $64,000

Vince

Health Sciences Major
SAT: 1710 (with writing)
Considering 15 colleges nationwide, then applied to 5
Family income approximately $207,000

Results:

Attending Schreiner University (TX)
Cost of
attendance: $27,564 per year
Received: - $ 6,500 Schreiner Grant
- $ 3,000 Equalization Grant
- $ 1,500 Work study
- $ 3,500 Stafford Loan

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= $12,564 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $38,000

Madison

Biology Major
SAT: 1390 (without writing)
Initially considered 5 Ivy/Tier I colleges, broadened to 12 colleges nationwide,
applied to 7 colleges
Family income approximately $108,000

Results:

Attending Vanderbilt University (TN)
Cost of
attendance: $52,303 per year
Received: - $21,800 A/S Grant
- $ 1,479 Subsidized Loan
- $ 2,021 Unsubsidized Loan

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= $27,003 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $87,200

Chris

Aerospace Engineering Major
ACT: 27
Initially considered 3 colleges, applied to 6.
Family income approximately $50,000

Results:

Attending Kent State University (OH)
Cost of
attendance: $22,272 per year
Received: - $ 1,000 Kent Access Grant
- $ 300 Kent Book Award
- $ 4,410 Minority Room Grant
- $ 4,000 Memorial Scholarship
- $ 4,000 Memorial Scholarship
- $ 4,000 Memorial Scholarship

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= $ 5,130 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $68,568

Erica

Mass Communications Major
SAT: 1860 (with writing)
Family income approximately $160,000

Results:

Attending Catholic University of America
Cost of
attendance: $45,872 per year
Received: - $ 3,000 Parish Scholarship
- $11,000 CUAS Scholarship
- $ 3,500 Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loan

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= $28,372 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $56,000

Tyler

Chemistry Major
SAT: 1300 (without writing)
Family income approximately $28,000

Results:

Attending University of Florida
Cost of
attendance: $15,740 per year
Received: - $ 4,731 Pell Grant
- $ 1,808 Florida Assistant Grant
- $ 200 Federal Supplemental Grant
- $ 4,240 Florida Academic Scholarship
- $ 4,011 Florida Opportunity Scholarship
- $ 750 National Academy Comp Grant

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= $ 0 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $62,960

Ryan

Chemical Engineering Major
SAT: 1960 (with writing)
Considered 15 colleges nationwide, then applied to 9
Family income approx $91,000

Results:

Attending Southern Methodist University (TX)
Cost of
attendance: $44,309 per year
Received: - $22,888 Hunt Scholarship
- $ 5,000 Honors award
- $ 3,500 Stafford Loan

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= $12,921 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $111,552

Danielle

Graphic Design Major
SAT: 2000 (with writing)
Family income approximately $86,000

Results:

Attending Furman University
Cost of
attendance: $42,439 per year
Received: - $12,000 Achiever Scholarship
- $ 5,000 Honor Scholar Award
- $ 3,500 Stafford Loan

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= $21,939 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $68,000

Christina

Pre-law/Criminal Justice Major
SAT: 1440 (without writing)
Family income approximately $116,000

Results:

Attending Stetson University
Cost of
attendance: $42,982 per year
Received: - $ 3,000 Florida Resident Access Grant
- $ 4,026 Florida Academic Scholars
- $16,000 Presidential Scholarship
- $ 3,500 Stafford Loan
- $4,000 Florida Parent Plus Loan

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= $10,746 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $92,104

Josh

Business Major
SAT: 1710 (with writing)
Family income approximately $62,000

Results:

Attending Guilford College
Cost of
attendance: $17,238 per year
Received: - $12,000 Presidential Scholarship
- $ 3,500 Stafford Loan

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= $ 1,738 Out-of-pocket costs per year

Total savings (free money) over 4 years: $48,000