<p>Congratulations!! You had hoped to receive that scholarship. That added to the Tuition Exchange covers your tuition...almost. That is wonderful!! I'm glad it all worked out for you.</p>
<p>Fantastic! You must be very relieved that this all worked out. Have fun!!</p>
<p>Thanks all. I think it is going to work out really well, especially since we are going to save a hefty chunk by not purchasing a car.</p>
<p>Way better to spend that 20K on education than a car. Value of the car does nothing but go down from the time you start paying on it. </p>
<p>Value of education=Priceless</p>
<p>Irish,</p>
<p>That's cool about your scholarship. </p>
<p>Make sure you meet the GPA requirements each year, if there are any. Some colleges require you to have over a certain GPA in each quarter/semester or academic year to maintain a scholarship like that. They will tell you if that is the case with yours.</p>
<p>So glad things are falling into place!</p>
<p>and thanks for explaining!</p>
<p>Could you please, if you do not mind, explain how your COA is covered by aid? How did you go from 22000/yr to 2000? 22000 - 10000 = 12000???</p>
<p>I don't understand how you got Bucknell's COA down to 2K.</p>
<p>I am confused by tuition exchange program, too!</p>
<p>dude get a navy rotc scholarship
they do it at most schools
they pay all of ur tuition, FREE FOR FOUR YEARS!
and you have to work for them for four
but its a win win, you can do anything for the four years, my sister is practicing being a doc, and gettign her necessary trainign at the same time
look into it
u wont be sry</p>
<p>If you got a Dean's Scholarship and Financial aid to boot with no student loans, you are a lucky soul. That is highly unusual. Many times the Dean's Scholarship at many schools supplants the financial aid (its financial aid plus prestige), and any other aid comes in the form of student loans. </p>
<p>Congratulations and good luck in school.</p>
<p>I'm going for 12k. I was saying that we were aiming to pay about $10,000, so I need to come up with about $2000 more, since that would cover full tuition. That $2,000 should be covered by not purchasing a car and summer jobs will cover the rise in tuition. I also am going to apply for an RA position.</p>
<p>jgcoaty,</p>
<p>Payback for ROTC scholarships is usually more than 4 years. My son has a 4 year active/4 year reserve payback (reserve can be done on active duty.)</p>
<p>If your only motivation for an ROTC scholarship is a free education, you better do some more research before signing on the dotted line.</p>
<p>I really enjoyed reading this thread. Congrats on your scholarship, and I am happy you are closer to your dream school. You obviously work hard and will be a great success.</p>
<p>I do have a few questions, though.</p>
<p>What are you going to study at school? What are your career goals? What is the future earnings potential in your field?</p>
<p>The reason I ask these questions is that I think you are a bit "over-afraid" of collecting some college debt. Most people graduate with $50K plus in college loans. The interest rates are low, and you can stretch out payment for a long time. If you have high earnings potential, that $50K in debt, though sizeable, will look smaller and smaller as you get closer to "real life" and your career paychecks. </p>
<p>Furthermore, I think your option of not owning a car at school is a big mistake. YOU WILL WANT A CAR. It will contribute to your efficiency while at school. If you need to make a late-night run to walmart to buy supplies for a class project or presentation, or need to run out and get some clothes drycleaned at a one-hour cleaners for an important meeting at school, there is no substitute for having a car. It doesn't have to be brand new, or fancy, but basic transportation is a necessity for a college student.</p>
<p>Also, you want to "keep your head straight" while you are at school, and lets face it... sometimes you just need to get away! If you can escape from campus for a few hours on the weekends and enjoy some freedom with your wheels, you will be more productive at school.</p>
<p>While I am in lecture mode, I would also refrain from jumping into an RA position right away. Let someone else have those headaches. When you get home from class, your priority should be on your grades, and you don't want 20 different kids knocking on your door everytime they lock themselves out of their rooms. </p>
<p>If I were you, I would do everything possible to focus on your studies. This means taking out a loan so you can have a car and have some extra money for unforeseen expenenses as well as a bit of entertainment money in your budget. You don't want to feel overwhelmed and if you get low grades your first couple semesters due to not having a car and being an RA, you could jeopardize your chances at further scholarships or grant money. Sure, in the short term you pat yourself on the back for "going the extra mile," but "RA" won't even be on your transcripts, whereas a solid GPA will get you to that next step after you graduate in four years. Right now, you need to serve your new master called GPA, and anything that doesn't contribute to a higher GPA should be avoided like the plague. In my opinion, student loans usually equals HIGHER GPA. Trust me. I got both and sleep very comfortably at night!</p>
<p>Just my two cents. Good luck and now is not the time for trying to show how thin you can spread yourself. You worked hard in HS, and I know you are used to doing what has to be done to survive. Now is the time to work smarter, not harder. Take out some loans so you have enough money that you don't worry about making ends meet.</p>
<p>But of course, I am assuming you are majoring in something with earning potential, like business or science or engineering. </p>
<p>If you are majoring in Art History, Theatre, Psychology, English Lit, etc... you might as well do whatever because you will never make good money until you get a PHD in those fields. And most PHDs in those fields have substantial student loans that are in forebearance perpetually because they don't earn real money.</p>
<p>I am currently accepted into the chemical engineering program, but I am pretty ambivalent about it. I love writing and history, so I was thinking about doing an undergrad in political science or economics (or a combination) and then going on to law school. I guess my all time dream job would be a combination of law and science/engineering as a lobbyist for renewable energy. I'm not great at math and science, but I would consider myself a good writer and very personable. It seems like it would be a good fit.</p>
<p>Bucknell doesn't allow cars on campus anyway Freshman year, so that is already one thing down. And my sister was an RA and said it really wasn't that bad. </p>
<p>I can always take out loans later, as need arises, but I would rather avoid any loans I can so that I can have a free choice over what my major is and not have to worry about paying them back.</p>
<p>Unless you are living off-campus beyond walking distance, or must get a job off-campus beyond walking distance, YOU DO NOT NEED A CAR. Basic transportation for college students is a bike. For the few situations in which a car would be handy, it is far cheaper to call a cab, or pay a friend who has a car, than to incur the expense and hassle of a car.</p>
<br>
<blockquote> <p>I think your option of not owning a car at school is a big mistake. YOU WILL WANT A CAR.>></p> </blockquote>
<br>
<p>A car is not a necessity. Believe me..if you need to get somewhere off campus, there will be friends with cars. If you own a car, others will constantly be asking YOU to take them on errands etc. The expense (insurance, maintenance, gas, etc) will all be yours...and they do add up. Yes...some kids have cars on campus, but they are not necessities. If the choice is money for tuition, or a car...take the tuition. You can buy a car later when you really have the resources to do so. Good decision Irish...despite what Bookgrub says. Of course, I am a parent...and Bookgrub is a student.</p>
<p>Bucknell and Lewisburg are very walkable areas. A bike would literally get me to the CVS downtown in about 3 minutes. There is just no need for a car in a such a small and compact town. The wal-mart, about 5 minutes away by car, my require transportation, but shuttle rides and carpools to wal-mart are very common from what I've heard.</p>
<p>I went to school in Philadelphia, loved it. The few weekends I borrowed my sisters car it was a pain in the neck. If you need to clear your head, go for a run. Hit the treadmill if bad weather. Develope healthy habits while in college.</p>
<p>In case it matters - First Year students at Bucknell are NOT permitted to have a car on campus. No exceptions.</p>
<p>Now I just need to think about a job...</p>
<p>Anyone have a suggestion for great places to work to save for college? Besides the military? I have really long hair and don't feel like cutting it all off. </p>
<p>If you could see me in person, you'd understand. It is gorgeous.</p>
<p>I love happy endings! You'll do fine; sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Less debt= more freedom.</p>