<p>I'm FOR SURE going to a college in a big city, I'm not willing to compromise on that and I live in Indiana. Yeah, right, not too many big cities here except Indianapolis. SO, my only in-state choice is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. This college is A LOT cheaper than my number 1, 2, and 3 choices which are all out of state (loyola chicago, nyu, and boston u). My other choices are a lot more prestigious and have better academics, but they are A LOT more expensive. My parents make probably 100 to 130 thousand dollars but they haven't saved up money for me to go to college. They do support my decision wherever I plan on going and I'm sure they are willing to help me out with paying the tuition. </p>
<p>My friends always say "Why would you pay more to go out of state when you have perfectly fine colleges here in Indiana? All that matters is that you have a degree anyway" and I just don't want to limit myself to JUST Indiana when I'm more drawn to BIG cities.</p>
<p>I'm worried that I'm going to be in debt for a while which won't let me see the world like I have been wanting to all my life. </p>
<p>For the people who are going to out-of-state colleges and are facing big tuitions, how is it going for you money-wise? How long do you expect to be in debt till you pay all of it off? Are you glad you made that decision to go to your number 1 choice out of state or do you wish you would have gone the money-saver way and stayed in-state?</p>
<p>The first thing you need to do is ask your family how much they can afford to contribute. The schools you're aiming for are not the best for financial aid, and with your family's income, you would be unlikely to get much need based aid anyway. </p>
<p>If your stats are good enough for merit aid, that would help, but if you're family can't contribute significantly the debt could be crippling and limit job and life choices.</p>
<p>I am amazed at the amounts some families are borrowing. 4 years at a dream college and then 20 years not being able to afford to buy a home, travel or give their kids things? And in all honesty, NYU may be worth the big bucks for Stern or Tisch, but the others aren't IMO.</p>
<p>So how will I know how much financial aid I will receive and how much merit aid i will receive from a certain college? Will I have to wait until I apply and get letters back how much it will cost total?</p>
<p>That is usually how it goes. Apply to some safeties, in state and reaches and you just have to see what the FA package will be. There really isnt any way of knowing what you might receive. For sure, the IVY's meet 100% of need, no merit. As another has suggested, make a list of the big city schools and see who will meet more of your needs.</p>