<p>Hello CC Community, </p>
<p>So here's the scoop: I was just accepted to my dream school, and am anxiously awaiting their FAFSA information, and I am concerned that costs and an impending debt load from attending a private, Christian-based institution will be the one thing holding me back from making it a reality. I've recently been bombarded by family members who insist that upwards of about 88k in debt for a 4-year undergrad is a serious and very heavy burden. They suggest going to a tech school for the first two years and transferring, or choosing an in-state school. </p>
<p>However, I have both past experience with another private, christian school where I spent my first year of college, and later, spent time at a two-year local university as well when I was trying to narrow down a major. I noticed immediately, that there was a stark contrast between the two, from their communities, to my peers, and overall the experience as a whole. I was convinced that the tech-school/two-year institutions just weren't cutting it for me, despite the huge savings. </p>
<p>Now, with career goals paved and ready to be taken on, I have decided to double major in both Graphic Design & Business Administration. Fortunately, this is a possible option to select at the 4-year private university I hope to attend, but not without a painful stack of student loan debt to go with it. I'm at a cross-roads now after comment after comment referring roughly to 100k of debt and the question of "is it Really worth it?".</p>
<p>I dreamed of being able to flee the midwestern state I call home for the city of Seattle.
I prayed to God to give me signs and guidance.
I gained a sense of belonging from the close-knit community of my past Christian University, and since leaving, have missed it like nothing else. They were, to me, considered a second Family.<br>
The idea of returning to a tech college, or two-year university...I really don't know about that. All I know is how I felt when I first arrived on campus, and the months spent thereafter were difficult to trudge through and left me feeling quite let down, and I wasn't in the best of places. At 21 years of age, I feel like it is time to really grow on my own, and the idea of living out-of-state, so far away, will force me to do so in ways I may have otherwise never explored being a few hours drive from home while returning every weekend I had the chance. </p>
<p>What do I do? Is there a chance that, full-knowing I'll be staring down the barrel of a pretty hefty gun sooner than later if I were to choose SPU, that what I'm asking for could work out, or am I just asking for a world of hurt that really isn't worth it in the end? (in reference to the private school's future debt load.) </p>
<p>I think it's important to mention that I have some (very basic) ideas of what a debt load like that would mean, (with upwards of about 18 years before it's repaid and I'm able to say "I live debt free".) -I understand the crucial importance of being aware of every loan (rather than leaving college and turning the other cheek towards that 20k/year you borrowed) and to make more than that minimum on your monthly payments whenever possible. Looking at the degrees in which I plan to major in, could this work out without being considered living "just above the poverty line", or is that just wishful thinking? </p>
<p>ps- I am also engaged in courses from Dave Ramsey's FPU (Financial Peace University) Program, and am trying my best to gather as much as I can from it so far. I highly recommend it in addition to the books he's written that are designed to help you and others tackle your debt. (If only I came across his teachings sooner.)</p>