<p>Obviously not all the synapses are firing at UF and I got another national merit letter encouraging to apply to UF (already accepted). But it did have some financial info I didn't know about...</p>
<p>It said the total cost of UF was around 12k a year.</p>
<p>Now bright futures will give me around 3.5 k and national merit is 1k, and our prepaid will be worth about 1k a year. But wow, I didn't think it would cost that much. I was under the impression that UF would be a free ride. I guess it's still cheap but far from a free ride.</p>
<p>What is the break down of the total cost (tuition, room/board, books)?</p>
<p>Man it sucks that UF lowered NM money by 4 grand a year. One year cost me nearly 16 grand in scholarship money :(.</p>
<p>you seem to be a littel confused, heres the break down.</p>
<p>bright futures pays for all tuition and fees, so just plain out ignore that. the AVERAGE cost of living/dorms/etc is abouy $6k a year. Thats what you gotta pay for. Fin aid will prob cover 3-4 of that depeneding on your EFC and the rest is up to you. So its like $2-3k a year for me for tuition, fees, food, room and board. pretty sick deal</p>
<p>From what I could gather on the UF website, when all is said and done, and I mean ALL (room/board, tuition, books, loan fees, etc.) UF is about 14k for in state students. Subtract Tuition and books with Bright Futures, and I think it is about 10-11k per year, including room/board and other expenses. </p>
<p>Of course, this was all estimated using averages for each student's expenses. You might want to check UF's website to see it for yourself.</p>
<p>As Ruo said, Visirale, 100% Bright Futures will pay for all your tuition and fees, so you don't have to worry about that. In Fall Semester, the $300 BF book money was not enough to cover my son's books. We paid another $130 for the rest of his books, I think. In Spring Semester, the $300 was more than enough, and UF took the $160 that was left over and applied it to other expenses. You can use your Prepaid Tuition and your $1,000 NMS to help pay for your dorm, a meal plan, or extra books. </p>
<p>I think you already have the information on the cost of next year's dorms and meal plans, so you can figure out your out-of-pocket expenses. If you don't -- Broward Hall was $1858 each semester this year. Meal Plans ranged from $1,315 a semester for 10 meals-a-week and $200 in Flex Bucks, ...... to $1,647 a semester for unlimited meals+snacks and $150 in Flex Bucks. </p>
<p>And don't forget that there are a gazillion small scholarships available in your own neighborhood. Burger King has $1,000 scholarships, and anyone can apply. Publix gives out $1,200 scholarships to kids who work there. Most Federal Credit Unions have $1,000 scholarships for members' kids. The American Legion has them, and you don't have to be a member. There are so many more, and it's easy to apply for them. Your GC should have a list of scholarships and grants you can apply for.</p>
<p>When your parents bought your 2+2 Prepaid Tuition plan, they expected that you'd be an average kid. You've gone way above and beyond their expectations, and they must be so proud of you. Congratulations, and best of luck to you!!
g8rmom</p>