AID AND LOANS

Hello, I’m an international student applying to schools in the U.S. I have applied and admission decisions have started coming in along with aid offers.
Drake Uni- Aid:16,920 EFC- 35,000
Lake forest college- aid-20,000 EFC-34,000
MHC- AID 21,359(The aid includes a 2,500 school loan)- efc-7,925, I was admitted for spring term does this mean I have to pay for fall term which will be like 20,000+
Northeastern-no aid or scholarships.
What do I do? I am really confused and my parents can’t afford more than 5,000 which means I will need loans.
MHC was my sure banker so I’m really disappointed with the aid. I still have some other schools but I’m not even sure I’ll be admitted in those.
pls advice needed!!

So you really expected to go to college in the US and only pay $5000, including the flight to get here?

Students who live in the US can’t afford to attend a 4-year college if all they have is $5k/year. Even commuting to our local 4-year university costs double that for just tuition, fees, and books. US students can take loans to make up the $5k difference because they live here. And even then, their parents are covering housing, food, and transportation costs, so the total cost is much more than $10k/year for an in state resident. Internationals would pay even more than that and they can’t take out loans in the US without a cosigner. Unless you know someone in the US who will cosign a loan for you, you’ll have to take out loans at home.

MHC…do you mean Mt. Holyoke? That’s a private school that costs $29k/semester ($58k/year). If you got grants of $21k/year, then your net cost is $16k/year (not including transportation, books, or personal expenses). None of those schools are affordable for you. Is there a college in your country that’s affordable for your family? You should apply there if you haven’t already.

I’ve clarified from their office,its actually for the two semesters. I’m really impressed that’s over their average aid for international students.

I’ve clarified from their office,its actually for the two semesters. I’m really impressed that’s over their average aid for international students.

My loans will be really small then and yes I have a US co-signer,the aid covers almost all my tuition

It doesn’t matter if it is over their “average” aid. What matters is whether or not MHC is now affordable for you.

Please remember this: Whatever your co-signer helps you borrow, you will need to be able to pay back with earnings in your own country after you graduate from college and return there. Do not set yourself up for long-range financial disaster.

You would not pay for semesters when you are not enrolled. You may know that now that you spoke to them. If they are giving your 21,359 per semester then you should be in good shape.