What are Stafford loans? Also, if it helps, I may want to major in political science, or something else related to policy/social studies. Are there any SUNYs with good programs in those areas? I visited Binghamton. Didn’t love it, but they have a good poli sci program from what I’ve heard.
Stafford loans are federal loans. As a freshman, you can get a maximum of $5,500 in loans, guaranteed by the federal government. (Anything else your parents would have to borrow themselves). They’re capped at 27k for all 4 years, which means 31k with interest, the amount a college graduate can reasonably expect to pay back over 10 years.
Beside Bing, SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Albany honors would be good.
Look at private universities such as St Lawrence, Hobart-and-WilliamSmith, Goucher, perhaps Connecticut College, that would likely offer you some scholarships, perhaps Dickinson or Denison which are really strong in political science - run the NPC .
$25K will get you through SUNY with cash to spare.