<p>I applied and was accepted at UIC for Computer Science, and received almost all of tuition in need based grants(pell grant, map grant, and a UIC based one), with 5000 dollars of sub. loans yearly. My parents are divorced and I live with my mom, we are very poor and I have a reasonably high GPA (>3.9) I hold this GPA at a community college with 50+ credit hours.</p>
<p>I am thinking of staying at this community college for one more year, completing three or so more courses that will apply regardless where I go, and applying to a more "CS" centered school: UIUC, MIT, or UoC. Out of these, I am most interested in UIUC. </p>
<p>Am I likely to get a similar aid package at a more "prestigious" school like UIUC? Or should I accept the offer at UiC while I have it? Am I wasting the hard-work I've put in to get my GPA by applying to a less "engineering centered" school like UIC?</p>
<p>Any opinions appreciated.</p>
<p>The loans you have been offered are pretty standard everywhere. It looks like you have been offered just subsidized Perkins and Staffords. That is a very good deal.</p>
<p>Did you apply to UIUC this year? If you didn’t get in this year, or your package there wasn’t as good as at UIC, there isn’t much reason to expect that you could get admission and a better package next year. But do talk with the transfer counselor at your community college, and ask what usually happens for students who finish a full Associates degree with the kind of GPA that you have.</p>
<p>I didn’t apply this year. I figured I’d be at community college another year, working to gather up more college funds, and finishing off two more math classes and a science so almost all of my general ed would be done. But, I regret not applying now, even though a year of working and taking just a few classes will help my money situation.</p>
<p>Talk to your guidance counselor about the type of financial aid award UIUC has been giving this year. I haven’t heard good news about this. Like many states, IL is having problems and the schools are taking a big hit. You would do well to get another year of college done as inexpensively as possible. Would you be able to commute to UIC? Is there as state school to which you can commute when you finish up with CC? </p>
<p>When you apply next year, certainly go on ahead with UIUC, but look at some privates with some good aid too since, state schools do not usually meet 100% of need. Maybe U Rochester, RPI, and some other tech schools. Is IIT a local option? Try to find some safety options( safeties in terms of finances as well as acceptance) for yourself and then layer on some schools, hoping they come up with funds.</p>