Cutting down total cost

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

<p>So right now I'm trying to decrease the amount of money I'll ultimately have to pay for Cornell. Currently my award is 8k efc and the standard 2k contribution and workstudy. The rest is a 43k grant. While this may seem like a good deal, it's still too expensive for my family. I intend to appeal with some info about medical bills and relative care, but I don't have much confidence in that making much of a difference. </p>

<p>Supposing I switch down to the triple room, my family efc will drop down to 7k.</p>

<p>My parents really can't afford this. should I do CO-OP residence instead?</p>

2

<p>do you have any loans? </p>

<p>you might be able to turn the summer savings contribution (if you dont work) + your work study into loans…</p>

3

<p>You can take out a loan for the amount of the EFC and your student contribution.</p>

4

<p>I have no loans…which normally would be a good thing. I think I want to do CO-OP now though, as it will essentially remove all of my student contribution and have a efc of a couple thousand. Is this a good idea for a first year though? I still will have work study. Will I be too overwhelmed?</p>

<p>Actually, can a freshmen even do this? The deadline for the lottery was in february, much before I even knew I was accepted. I tried calling them all just now, but alas no one answered. What’s the best co-op house for a freshmen?</p>

<p>The phone numbers are all listed on the website without the area code, I’m assuming that it’s 607?
Update:It seems like all the co-op are full, figures.</p>

5

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<p>You can ask Cornell to certify you for a loan to cover the EFC if that is a route you wish to pursue.</p>

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<p>Yes</p>

<p>The co-ops go through what they call a “mosey.” It’s a chance for students interested in co-op living to visit the co-ops and learn about them. Then there is a separate lottery for them. So, essentially, entering freshman can’t live in a co-op. (I don’t know too much about co-ops…but I believe the information I presented is correct).</p>

6

<p>After your freshman year, you should be able to decrease the burden on your family by a) taking on more on-campus work and b) finding living/eating arrangements that save a significant amount of money. It’s not too difficult to find an off-campus sublet (either in a co-op or otherwise) for 2-3k less a year than on-campus housing. Loans can bridge the gap in the interim. Some debt is not necessarily a bad thing.</p>