I’d like to clarify my earlier post. When I say the OP should put her family first…what I mean is that college maybe should not be the focus.
We have had both friends and relatives who lost a parent either in HS, or college. In all cases we know. The students requested, and received a leave of absence. One student had been accepted to a very competitive school…also ED…when the parent became very ill and subsequently died. This student requested a deferral for the year so that the student could be with siblings and the other parent. In other words, college was secondary…and they knew it could happen at any time. They also knew that it might not be easy to be far from home given the family health circumstances.
It is very possible that MHC will allow this student to defer enrollment for a year. It is also possible that the first choice for the twin will allow the same. It’s an option that is worth at least keeping in the back of one’s head. It might not be needed…but then again…it might be.
@mom2collegekids From the past posts, I think they will choose a financially challenging option. Very hard to take a practical route if you are from a high income area. There is so much expectation.
<<<< @mom2collegekids From the past posts, I think they will choose a financially challenging option. Very hard to take a practical route if you are from a high income area. There i
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While I totally understand the pressures that can come from living in a high income area, I would think (hope!!!) that the social circle would not be so insensitive as to place pressure on a family that is facing such a huge loss…the loss of husband and parent.
If anything, the knowledge of that should cause instant back-pedal and support for the family to make conservative choices because there are too many variables present.
Shame on any “high income area” that would be so “head in the clouds” that it can’t be practical when needed.
You know, I usually worry about these things but I think MHC will come through for this family and the final package will be do-able. I’m not sure where the other daughter wants to go, but hope she has a few good options too. Those first numbers off the EFC are painful to see, and mine (also with 2 in at the same time) were totally undo-able, but working with the schools and other sources of scholarships worked out for us. I think professional judgment may help.
I, too, have one who will be able to pay off any loans just fine (an engineering major) and another who has no hope of making a dime off her theater major (directly; we’re hoping she learns lots of negotiating skills, sales poise, witty banter…and marries well) so I really don’t want her to take any loans. Of course, the engineer has more scholarships and the actress has more expensive tastes and activities.
@twoanddone I think it will completely depend on what is actually affordable for them in their situation. How much can they take out of salary? I can’t imagine sending two students to college for less than 30k.
I pay much less than that for one private and one OOS, but we chose our colleges very carefully and squeezed and pinched and really worked the numbers. I’m normally very cautious, but I just have a good feeling about this family.
I, too, wish you and the daughters luck. Many kids start out as one major and end up another. I wouldn’t count on an engineer given the rates of changes in major that field of study gets.