Weston has been officially accepted into West Virginia University. I paid his academic deposit the other day and we’re getting ready to submit his housing application. He will be rooming with one of his high school friends. In West Virginia, we’re lucky to have the Promise Scholarship that pays all the tuition and fees for West Virginia students with a 3.0 or above in high school. Weston has also been offered the WVU Rhododenron Scholarship, which will pay $10,000 toward his other expenses. I’m so proud of him! I’m busy with my part-time job applying for federal grants and other scholarships for him. (We’re still waiting to hear about the results of the National Merit Scholarship. He is a semi-finalist.) He’s planning to study math and engineering. His girlfriend is a year behind him in school, but she’s planning to go to WVU, too. At least I know he will be home from Morgantown often his first year–to see the girlfriend! (And, you know, me, accidentally.)
He’s gonna be a Mountaineer!
texwisgirl says:
Congrats to you and your son!!! Awesome!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:10 am
Becky says:
That is wonderful! Now Suzanne, there is NO reason why we can’t get together for lunch or something on one of your trips up here….and I know you will make a few!! hahaha!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:11 am
Carmen at Old House Kitchen says:
Congrats proud Mamma! :shimmy:
On January 28, 2011 at 10:14 am
SuseM says:
YAY, Weston! Congratulations!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:16 am
Deb says:
The scholarships must really be a relief! My daughter was just accepted to Northwestern in Roseville, MN. Tuition is $35,000 a YEAR! I’m really hoping she gets good financial aid.
On January 28, 2011 at 10:21 am
The Mom says:
Great job! What a fabulous deal for schooling. I wish my state did the same.
On January 28, 2011 at 10:23 am
skippymom says:
Best news Suzanne. I know it is a gift when they get a scholarship – our daughter did and it was such a relief. I don’t know anyone pays for college anymore – eventhough we saved – it accelerates at such a faster pace then you can save.
If everything is paid for what are the grants and federal aid for.
On January 28, 2011 at 10:24 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
skippymom, the Promise Scholarship will pay 100 percent of the tuition and fees, but that isn’t all the cost of college. He has to pay for housing and books. Housing alone is as much, if not more, than the tuition. (And they are required to live in the dorm their freshman year, so it’s a non-negotiable expense. His second year and on, he will be sharing a house with the friend he’s rooming with the first year–his friend’s parents’ have a house in Morgantown where they can live, whew!) He may–or may not–get the National Merit Scholarship, we don’t know, and the WVU Rhododendron Scholarship pays out $2500/year for 4 years to come to the $10,000. So, he will have many expenses the first year that grants and other scholarships could help to cover.
On January 28, 2011 at 10:32 am
Melissa Marsh says:
Congrats!!! What a smart kid! Of course, I think his mom had something to do with that… 😉
On January 28, 2011 at 10:25 am
Beth says:
Oh, how exciting! Congratulations Weston and family!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:31 am
CindyP says:
Congratulations, Weston!!! See, all that hard work has paid off 😉 No student loans–YAY WVU!!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:33 am
pattyb says:
Congratulations Westo and Suzanne!
pattyb
On January 28, 2011 at 10:38 am
Teri says:
My son has been accepted to the South Dakota School of Mines and technology in Rapid City here. Thankfully we live close enough that he’ll commute to school so we don’t have the living expenses. He’s also studying engineering (civil) and he’s finishing an online course for trig since he ran out of math classes at his high school 😀 I’m very proud of him and we’re working on getting scholarships and such. I’m sure you did already but did you fill out his FAFSA online? It helps for sure!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:42 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
Teri, I’m going to do the FAFSA online. I haven’t done it yet. I’m hoping to get my taxes done next week (I have an appt…..if I’m not snowed in!) because it’s easier to do the FAFSA if you’ve already done your taxes. If I can’t get them done next week, I’ll have to go ahead. The FAFSA deadline for WVU is March 1.
On January 28, 2011 at 10:51 am
Carol Langille says:
Weston is smart….Suzanne is resourceful and God is good.
Congratulations on this wondferful accomplishment!
Weston, remember, just because you’re going to be in college
doesn’t mean you are grown and can do all kinds of goofy stuff. Mom will be watching you!!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:44 am
Debbie says:
Congrats! Just an FYI to try and save money—check out the textbook rental website, and the online used textbook sites. There is a huge difference in cost.(I have a son in undergrad, and a daughter in med school–it has helped us a lot!)
On January 28, 2011 at 10:51 am
Lynne says:
Congratulations Weston! You are on the right track.
On January 28, 2011 at 11:00 am
Michele says:
Thats really great he’s smart just like his mom! I am glad everything is going well. Now if you could just get some warm weather… :pinkbunny:
On January 28, 2011 at 11:36 am
Denise says:
Congrats to Weston! WVU is a great school and a great place to be!
On January 28, 2011 at 11:38 am
Diane says:
:dancingmonster: You area such a wonderful mother teaching your children by example hard work and dedication!!! I still laugh at their comment in the early days in the slanted little house ” You brought us here to die.” Wonder what they say now? Keep up the good work Momma!! :heart:
On January 28, 2011 at 11:44 am
Maria says:
Congratulations…..we plan on looking at that school next year for my daughter. Great perks for being in-state, though!
On January 28, 2011 at 11:48 am
Margaret Rusnak says:
Love to hear of new Engineers!
On January 28, 2011 at 11:54 am
northcountrygirl says:
Congratulations to Weston for his great grades and super academic achievement. And, congratulations MOM on a job well done!
On January 28, 2011 at 12:02 pm
4jsMOM says:
Congratulations Weston and Suzanne. You both deserve this and I’m anxious to read the stories about Weston’s college days at WVU. Good luck on filling out all those forms for grants and other scholarships. It’s a hassle, but worth it if you are eligible for those grants. We did this several years ago for our 4 kids.
On January 28, 2011 at 12:09 pm
bonita says:
Let’s have a cheer for Math and Engineering!!! and Scholarships! and the people and businesses in WV that make those scholarships possible. Great work, Weston and Suzanne, great work.
BTW some textbook companies are beginning to experiment with online texts/online text subscriptions.
On January 28, 2011 at 12:13 pm
wildcat says:
Congratulations – Weston’s gonna be a Mountaineer! :shimmy:
On January 28, 2011 at 12:37 pm
GrammieEarth says:
Congratulations WEston! Hope you get every grant and scholarship you apply for!
On January 28, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Mary Kellogg says:
How proud you must be.
Once he graduates, be sure to tell him not to forget the U.S ARMY CORPS of ENGINEERS. They have an on-going need for young engineers. It is an excellent place to learn a lot help your community, etc. Summer/student jobs are also offered at times. Weston should check out the nearest Corps office and meet with the District Engineer, see if he could be hooked up with a mentor.
You could set up a PayPal for Weston. I’ll chip in $20 for every class he passes. He could be the first bloggerkid put thru college by your fan!
Yay Weston!
On January 28, 2011 at 12:43 pm
Joell says:
:woof:
CONGRATULATIONS!! What wonderful news. Your family is very deserving.
Love them eers!!
What a wondenful place to go to school, we have had several family members attend WVU, we proudly fly our blue and gold here in Ohio on game days.
On January 28, 2011 at 12:49 pm
holstein woman says:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! to both of you. Great job…
On January 28, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Angela P says:
Weston, congratulations! Way to go Dude!
WOW! WV offers sooo much. My son got the Mi merit scholarship only to have it taken away and leave us with a bill. He was awarded $5000.00 Our congress voted to revoke it to save the state money.(?). Education is still a gift.
Weston you have done us proud !!!!! Keep setting new goals and achieve them. You are a wonderful and handsome young man on the path to a grand career!
On January 28, 2011 at 1:12 pm
joycee says:
How wonderful! You have amazing kids Suzanne!
On January 28, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Melanie says:
That’s awesome news! Congrats to all!
That Promise Scholarship thing makes me want to move to WV! 😆 I have a daughter who will be in college in 3 years.
On January 28, 2011 at 1:27 pm
DonnaTN says:
How wonderful! I’m proud of Weston and I don’t actually know you, I only read your blog. Congratulations,you are raising exceptional kids.
On January 28, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Barbee' says:
All those applications and paperwork are(!) like another job, you’re right about that, but it’s time and effort well spent. Congratulations to both of you! To be honest, I don’t know when you found the time to do it.
On January 28, 2011 at 1:40 pm
Joy says:
Darn! I was hoping that was $10,000 per year, not $2500 per year for Weston. That does leave a gap for books and dorm and, oh a little thing called, food and laundry money, etc. I hate to see the kids these days starting out with a huge student loan debt. Many of the kids, even the ones going to state colleges, wind up owing as much as our first mortgage. So hard to get started in life if you’re saddled with a debt to pay off. Let’s hope that the slogging hard work of filling out those awful financial aid forms and applications pays off with low interest loans and maybe a bit more scholarship money. Good luck!
On January 28, 2011 at 2:06 pm
Suzanne McMinn says:
Joy, I wish it was $10,000 per year, too, because then we’d be done! WVU is not an expensive school and the tuition/fees will be free because of the Promise. But, we’re still lucky. That is one of the bigger scholarships that they offer.
On January 28, 2011 at 2:44 pm
Michelle says:
What wonderful news all around! Congratulations, Mom, on raising a stellar son (and choosing a good state to live in!).
On January 28, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Ramona says:
Congratulations Weston. Very good that he’s worked hard to earn those scholorships.
Sounds like my husbands youngest daughter who did the same to get thru Ole Miss.
On January 28, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Eunice Moore says:
Congratulations Weston. You have worked hard, played hard for your school and now will be receiving the benefits of those hours spent studying. Suzanne, you are one heck of a Mom and have done an outstanding job with all three of them. Also, congratulations to all you other Chickens whose children are getting ready for college.
On January 28, 2011 at 3:03 pm
Jane says:
That’s great news – I am happy for you both!
On January 28, 2011 at 3:14 pm
stacy says:
I know quite a few kids that stated there this year-they love it-except the food, oh well more reason to come visit mom for some home cooking!!!
On January 28, 2011 at 3:22 pm
Cousin Sheryl says:
WVU usually makes the US News & World Report list of America’s “most affordable” colleges. Many out-of-state students attend WVU because it is cheaper to go there than to in-state colleges where they live.
That said, Weston has done an outstanding job in high school to obtain the scholarship money that he has received. I certainly hope that he wins more (National Merit – let’s go!)
Meanwhile, I will be “dragging” Suzanne with me to Mountaineer football games to visit Weston and my son, Madison (who is already there this year as a freshman). Suzanne and I plan for Weston and Madison to car pool home to visit the girlfriends who will both still be here for another year.
“Come on you old grads, join with us young lads, It’s West Virginia now we cheer!…”
Cousin Sheryl
WVU – Class of 1984
Cousin Mark
WVU – Classes of 1982 & 1985
Georgia
WVU – Master’s Degree, early 1970’s
On January 28, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Glenda says:
Weston is to be congratulated!
I am so happy for both of you. Both of ours went to MU in Columbia, Mo. and had scholarships that paid tuition. They kept their grades up and kept them all 4 years..
What a proud Mom (and Dad) you all must be.
On January 28, 2011 at 3:47 pm
Estella says:
Wtg, Weston!
On January 28, 2011 at 3:49 pm
Normie says:
This is wonderful news! WVU is a great place to get an engineering degree – my younger brother got his there 20+ years ago. Best of luck to Weston!
On January 28, 2011 at 4:31 pm
judyh says:
Cousin Sheryl,
You forgot Grandpa Dye, WVU grad in (can’t remember the date). Right?
Weston and Suzanne – Congratulations! You both did/do/done GOOD!
Go ‘eers!
On January 28, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Paulette says:
I know you are so proud of him Suzanne, congratulations.
On January 28, 2011 at 4:36 pm
Sheila Z says:
Congratulations Weston and proud Momma!
On January 28, 2011 at 4:45 pm
lavenderblue says:
Great Job, Weston!
On January 28, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Johanna says:
Fantastic! Congratulations to you all!
On January 28, 2011 at 5:25 pm
Window On The Prairie says:
Wonderful news! Congrats. :snoopy:
On January 28, 2011 at 5:45 pm
Eggy says:
Way to go Weston!
BEAT THE H… OUT OF PITT!!
BSCE WVU (a long time ago)
On January 28, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Mike J says:
Congratulations to Weston & you! University will be a great experience, especially since he has friends at WVU to share with & mom, girlfriend & sister to come home to.
On January 28, 2011 at 8:29 pm
windspiritwhimsies says:
Fantastic Weston! WTG! :shimmy:
On January 28, 2011 at 9:43 pm
farmershae says:
Fingers crossed for the National Merit! What a great deal on tuition. Way to go Weston!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:06 pm
CATRAY44 says:
I am so happy for you both!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:09 pm
kitler says:
As a Huntington native, I wish he would have come to Marshall! LOL! But as a West Virginian, I’m glad he’s staying in-state! Congrats to you both!!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:29 pm
princessvanessa says:
Do not give up applying for grants. Each year (I believe some of the larger ones are in January/February) there is grant money to apply for. My niece received a $9,000 tuition grant for her 2009/10 junior year at the University of Washington and again received a $9,000 tuition grant and a $4,000 expenses grant for her 2010/11 senior year. There are grants based on income (Pell Grant) as well as academic achievement grants where the student has proven themselves by their high GPA (like my niece’s junior/senior year grants).
Have Weston keep his ears and eyes open for when grant applications open up. Often the application period is a very small window of time and one needs to dot all their “i’s” and cross all the “t’s” at their first application or the window will close before you can return a corrected application.
Best of luck to Weston!!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:30 pm
West Virginia Janis says:
Be careful if he comes home telling you he’s going to live on Grant Avenue next year!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:35 pm
Journey11 says:
Congratulations, that’s great!
On January 28, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Debbie in PA says:
That’s really awesome! Congratulations to your son!
And wow, what a nice deal with the Promise Scholarship! maybe i should relocate-LOL!-I don’t think PA has any such fabulous deal. I will need to start looking into thee things I guess……sigh…..
On January 28, 2011 at 11:10 pm
Heidi says:
Congratulations, Weston! :woof:
Good luck with the other grants and scholarships.
On January 29, 2011 at 12:22 am
Nic, SD says:
Yay! Contratulations to both of you!
On January 29, 2011 at 12:33 am
Myrna Mackenzie says:
Suzanne, I second the suggestion regarding used textbook sites. The books for one course alone can easily cost over one hundred, sometimes more than one hundred fifty dollars. It all adds up quickly, but there are good used books out there that cost a lot less. Just make sure to match up the ISBN’s and edition numbers as textbooks get updated frequently.
And Congratulations to you and Weston!
On January 29, 2011 at 7:16 am
Barbie says:
Congratulations! To Weston and to you Suzanne. Watch for local scholarships (check with the high school guidance office and the county education office). They may not be large, but every little bit helps. Here in Eastern Ohio, we cheer for the Mountaineers–after the Buckeyes!
On January 29, 2011 at 12:35 pm
Susan says:
Congrats to you both!!! My daughter is a junior at the University of Louisville (The Mountaineers and the Cardinals know each other well). The state of Kentucky does not have a Promise Grant, so FAFSA is our best friend, and my daughter did receive other academic scholarships or we would not have been able to afford college. Renting books or purchasing them on line will save a ton of money as opposed to buying them on campus. Quick tip, Save your FAFSA info, because you will have to fill it out each year, if you save it, it will already will already be done each year, with the exception of some info that might change, year to year.
On January 31, 2011 at 9:31 am
Marianne says:
CONGRATULATIONS WESTON AND SUZANNE! It was 16 years ago now, but I still remember that excitement and anxiety checking the mail every day, waiting for word, then crunching the numbers on the costs. :sun:
On January 31, 2011 at 9:00 pm