<p>Poker, PSU main is about $13k for the year for tuition for in state kids. For out of state kids, BG charges about $16500. Not a huge difference but, BG does charge more. Also you will get more money from the state financial aid fund if you stay in state. </p>
<p>I think BG is a lovely college. I have friends who went there and loved it who are doing very well. I think I can honestly say that everyone I know who went there is a happy, well adjusted, joyful person. You can really have a great experience there. The only concerns are that you many not know too many people at the beginning because it does tend to have mainly Ohio residents there. There will be many kids coming from the same highschools and you may be odd man out. Getting there and back can be problematic for the same reason. My friend’s son went to OU and he loved it there, but the traveling home was not always easy since there weren’t that many kids from out of state that went there.</p>
<p>“Poker, PSU main is about $13k for the year for tuition for in state kids. For out of state kids, BG charges about $16500. Not a huge difference but, BG does charge more. Also you will get more money from the state financial aid fund if you stay in state.”</p>
<p>I was factoring in the $3600 scholarship I got and figured that it would come close to evening it out.</p>
<p>“The only concerns are that you many not know too many people at the beginning because it does tend to have mainly Ohio residents there.”</p>
<p>Let me clarify since I failed to do so, I’m more concerned with how much I’m going to have to take out on private loans, not just grant money, because AFAIK, the only loans you need a co-signer for are private loans, and the co-signer is the main obstacle. I’ve learned that after 2 years I can apply for Ohio residency which should qualify me for state aid, so it’s the first 2 years that I’m concerned about.</p>
<p>Might want to double check the residency thing, I do not know about Ohio, but the states I do know about and most of the ones posted here usually have a caveat stating that the time spent in the state to become a resident cannot be time spent for schooling</p>
<p>In most cases (in OHIO) you cannot establish residency for instate tuition purposes WHILE you are attending college there. If the school was clear that you could establish residency WHILE you are attending school as a full time student, you should get that in writing.</p>
<p>According to the BGSU website (search "residency requirement), you will need to have a LOT of information documenting this. You will need to show that your parent(s) did not declare you as a dependent on your income tax. You cannot have any financial support from outside of Ohio. You must have a signed affidavit stating that you have sufficient earnings to support yourself independently in OHIO. Go read what you need. It is “possible” but not an easy thing to do. It’s not supposed to be easy. Your family is NOT a resident of Ohio…and neither are you.</p>
<p>That would be a blessing for you…but it still doesn’t cover those costs for the first two years. Getting a private loan without a co-signer will be virtually impossible.</p>
<p>I agree with Thumper1, get the information in writing from the BGSU admissions office (not the financial aid office – they are not the ones who determine residency). It is virtually impossible to establish residency while attending school – the rules are specifically set up to prevent people from establishing residency in order to take advantage of the in-state tuition.</p>
<p>If they do give you confirmation in writing that you can establish residency WHILE ATTENDING SCHOOL and AS A DEPENDENT ACCORDING TO FAFSA, then I would make sure and document every piece of info they will be requiring. You won’t be able to accept any money or support from your mother – so you will need to show earnings/loans that pay for 100% of your support each year. Mother’s tax forms that show that you aren’t claimed (starting with 2008 forms), Driver’s license, voter registration, lease (or housing contract) in your name, etc. It isn’t easy – been there done that.</p>
<p>As far as the private loans – have you determined what you will need? Any info back from BGSU on what FA you will be recieving? Will you get any work-study? how much do you plan to earn and save this summer?</p>
<p>You are still missing too many pieces of the puzzle for us to give you good advice. At this point my biggest concerns are the amount of money you are planning on borrowing – general advice is that students should not borrow more than $20,000 over the four years of undergraduate course work. That includes the stafford loans. I am also concerned about your readiness for college – the last thing you want to do is attend for a year, borrow tons of money to go and flunk out – it happens all the time! Then those loans are due 6 months later – and you are trying to pay them on a minimum wage salary. It is a recipe for disaster.</p>
<p>All good schools provide support services for students – make sure you take advantage of them. Go to the writing center, math center, etc. Take a light load the first semester while you are acclimating to college – and work ~10-15 hours a week in a work-study job if you can get it.</p>
<p>To be honest, that’s a decent financial aid package for an out of state student. You GOT a scholarship in addition to your Pell Grant, work study and loans. I have to say…I don’t think it’s likely that you will get any additional money from BGSU. They have given you the max that the federal guidelines will allow with your EFC…plus they have given you a scholarship in addition. BGSU does not guarantee to meet full need. </p>
<p>But good luck to your in your appeal. There are some schools in PA that still have openings and still have financial aid according to the website that posts schools with openings after May 1. You might want to take a look at it, just in case the finances don’t work out for you. I’m sorry that I don’t have the link.</p>
<p>You have to have a basis for asking for reconsideration of financial aid (like parent losing a job, high medical costs, etc). Unless you have an extenuating circumstance you really don’t have a basis for this.</p>
<p>I’m confused…did you just get your financial package? If so, I’m glad you are happy with it. As I recall, your mom was able to contribute $10,000 so that really makes your costs very close. Seems like with a summer job, you’re all set. Great!!!</p>
<p>What is ACGE? Did you get some money from the PA college fund? If you are eligible for Pell, you can get funds from there as well; do check. You are eligible even if you go to school in Ohio.</p>
<p>“What is ACGE? Did you get some money from the PA college fund? If you are eligible for Pell, you can get funds from there as well; do check. You are eligible even if you go to school in Ohio.”</p>
<p>I think the ACGE is the Academic Competitiveness Grant…no idea what the E is for. </p>
<p>Would I have to file different forms through PHEAA to get the state aid?</p>
<p>Poker, I don’t know. My close friend had two kids in Ohio schools. They qualified for that grant. Look on the web site. You are late, but I think they encourage you to go for it even if you are late.</p>