<p>Yes, of course. I’ll be eating from their meal plan. And my mom and I are sure that I could bring my car up nor continue on my brother’s auto insurance. That would leave room for my family to partially finance me. My question is what is the more realistic COA, I’m asking so that students or parents with experience in this area could give me a real world estimate so that my parents and I can figure out the loans. Thank you.</p>
<p>And my mom and I are sure that I could bring my car up nor continue on my brother’s auto insurance. That would leave room for my family to partially finance me.</p>
<p>??? If your mom earns less than $9k per year, how can she afford to help you at all? </p>
<p>* My question is what is the more realistic COA,*</p>
<p>Books and Supplies $ 1000 (this can be lowered by carefully finding cheaper sources for books.
Fees $6,200</p>
<h2>Room and Board $11,000 (this will depend on housing & meal plan choices)</h2>
<p>About $18,500 in “basic costs”</p>
<p>However, you will probably need to get a summer job and a part-time job during the school year to pay for daily/weekend expenses, gas for your car, clothes, toiletries, etc. </p>
<p>Obviously, the below numbers will depend on how frugal you are.</p>
<p>Personal and Miscellaneous $2,000
Transportation $1000</p>
<p>Do you have a dad who will be helping with costs? You mentioned parents. Your mom may not qualify for loans or to co-sign loans.</p>
<p>You will have to be very organized and assertive to get your book expenses below $1,000.00 per year, but I’m sure with a lot of effort and research it can be done… My son’s professors at Sonoma State often required their “own” books be purchased at an off campus book store (upper division classes mostly), and we found it difficult to actually get the correct book information before classes started, so we rarely were able to find books except at the book store and they were hideously expensive :(</p>
<p>There are strategies for getting books at a reduced cost.</p>
<p>Seeking used books as soon as you know what books are req’d. Don’t wait…the used ones go first.</p>
<p>Asking to borrow books from friends who’ve already taken the class or purchasing them at a reduced price. </p>
<p>Renting books (becoming more popular)</p>
<p>Using some of the online websites for textbooks. (be sure to check ISBN and edition)</p>
<p>I meant to say that I would not be bringing a car and would no longer continue paying for auto insurance, but I missed a word in that sentence. And the only loans I think I would need to take out would be student loans, would a parent need to co sign those? My parents are divorced so I’m not sure how much my dad would or could pay. Thanks for the book tips! You guys have been very helpful, I appreciate it.</p>
<p>I read this other thread about a parent being nervous about signing finaid since it was mostly in grants and that grants don’t get renewed every year like scholarships. Could anyone elaborate on this? Because I would not want to borrow increasing more money each year.</p>