<p>Hi everyone. I am hoping that I will be able to get some helpful advice here. Fortunately, I have been accepted to all 3 schools. The down side is that both Mac and Grinnell will cost a very high amount (around $37k each). I received one of the top scholarships at Coe College (in Cedar Rapids) and would only have to pay around $16k. Here is where my dilemma begins. I have been going part time at a community college while in high school and have close to a year’s worth of credits completed, as well as a few CIS classes and AP credits. These credits would most likely transfer to Coe, but probably not at Grinnell or Mac. I am wondering which would be a better option: Going to a less prestigious school while paying less and graduating in 3 years, or taking out a large amount of student loans and graduating with a degree from a great school. I have been recruited to play a sport at all the schools, and I have begun to talk to the coaches at Mac and Grinnell about seeing if they are able to pull any strings to get some more money in aid. Grinnell is where I would like to go the most, so I am hoping something will be able to work out. Thanks for any help!</p>
<p>If you’re receiving that little from Grinnell, your family can probably afford it (I was accepted and I was offered close to $50,000 in aid). There’s such a large difference between Grinnell and Coe that I’d say go for it if you can swing it. I don’t, however, know how much debt you’re saying you’d graduate with. If you’re talking $50,000+ in debt, that might not be an option.</p>
<p>Basically, I’m telling you to be cautiously optimistic. If you can attend Grinnell while accumulating a manageable amount of debt, do it, but if you’d have to bury yourself in debt to do it, then it’s not worth it.</p>
<p>Grinnell may do a good job of covering amounts needed over the EFC, but many middle class families cannot easily part with a large EFC.</p>
<p>Grinnell does award a significant amount of merit aid. Maybe a coach can help with that (assuming it would not cause them to reduce any need-based award by a corresponding amount). You could trying faxing them your Coe offer.</p>
<p>You need to find out very specifically whether or not your CC, CIS, and AP credits can count toward your degree if you go to Macalester or Grinnell. Pick up the phone and call them and ask. Have them send you an email that details which credits will count, and which won’t. That way you will have it in writing.</p>
<p>Let each of the coaches (and the financial aid offices) know that you have a better offer on the table, and that even though you truly prefer their institution, in the end money will probably talk. Ask if they could possibly “reconsider” your aid package.</p>
<p>Then, go sit down with your parents. Look at the numbers. Is that scholarship at Coe renewable, and under what terms? Do you have to maintain a certain GPA? How much can your family pay for out of pocket each year, and how much will you have to pay for in federal student loans, private loans, parent loans, money earned from your summer and/or school year jobs?</p>
<p>If you choose Coe, what can the difference in cost mean for you? A semester abroad? An unpaid summer internship? Graduating a semester or a year sooner may not be the biggest advantage of choosing a less expensive college.</p>
<p>Lastly, what about your sport? Would you still like these three colleges if an injury sidelines you permanently? Is part of your scholarship dependent on playing that sport?</p>
<p>You do have a lot to think about! These all are great colleges. You can be very happy at any of them.</p>
<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>
<p>Thank you for the responses. My parents have said they will be able to contribute some money, but a large amount. I have been doing some research about starting level salaries (for an econ major) which makes me a little more comfortable taking out student loans. At Coe the scholarship is renewable while maintaining a 3.0 GPA which I am confident I will be able to do. I will be playing tennis, but athletics are not the first priority. I used recruitment from tennis to try and get into the best schools I could, so I look at playing as a plus. I will try to meet with the coaches and see what they are able to do. Thanks again for all the help!</p>