<p>So the school I want to go to is about 40,000 a year. (Private) but I know the. Economy is bad and I'm not a money tree. Should I just go to a school more in my price range?</p>
<p>Without any other context like how much you and your family can really afford (including what kind of debt levels would be involved), your major and academic/professional goals, and the alternative schools and their net costs, no one can really answer your question.</p>
<p>You give so little information, nobody will be able to give you an informed answer. Can your parents afford the private university and you are asking more from a cost-saving point of view, or are your parents not able to cover the cost, and you must take out large loans to afford attending the costly private university? The former opens things up a little, but the latter is seldom worth mulling over. </p>
<p>Of course, part of the answer depends on the universities you are considering. If the private university is “very special” while the public university is completely unremarkable, the cost differential may be worth considering, but in most instances, it is not.</p>
<p>What are your parents saying?</p>
<p>How much will they pay?</p>
<p>What kind of aid will this school give you?</p>
<p>If you are expected to pay more than your parents will pay, how will you pay the difference?</p>
<p>What school is the private one and what is the other one?</p>
<p>What is your major? </p>
<p>what is your intended career?</p>
<p>is this what you’re talking about?</p>
<p>*What if Financial Aid Isn’t enough?
The University I want to go to is about 36,157 dollars a year. An average financial aid is about 18,000 it leaves at the most 18,000 dollars left? I calculated our EFC and its barely anything. </p>
<p>I know I could get a couple scholarships but what are some other choices?
*</p>
<p>Sounds like you’re low income and you think this school is going to expect you to pay about $20k per year after aid. If so, then it doesn’t sound like it will work because, as you said, you’re not a money tree and so where would that money come from???</p>
<p>BTW…average aid pkgs aren’t an indication of what you’d get. At schools like this, often those with low EFCs (like yours) get larger gaps. Average is just that, average. Some don’t need much, and some need a lot.</p>
<p>Are you a junior or senior? </p>
<p>What is your GPA and what are your test scores, including SAT breakdown.</p>
<p>If you haven’t taken the SAT or ACT yet, what was your PSAT score?</p>
<p>I should probably make my own thread, but this is a fairly vague question so it might have some relevance.
What if my parents say different things at different times, or they’re not very knowledgeable about their financial situation, or they believe schools give out far more financial aid than they actually do (as in, “full rides to anyone who gets As” delusions)?</p>
<p>halcyonheather, you really should start your own thread, out of fairness to the OP. But to briefly answer your question, have a serious conversation with your parents, not about how much college will cost, but about how much they can/are willing to afford. Once you have a concrete number, you can start a thread on CC and many knowledgeable parents who have gone through the process will give you great advice.</p>
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Yes (10 char)</p>