<p>I really need adult input in this so I thought I'd try you lovely people out.
As it stands now, I will have massive debt after college; the minimum I'm looking at is over $75,000 and that is for the school I'd rather not attend. If I go to my first choice and gardaute in three years I'd have about $13,000 more in debt but possibly much greater oppertunities for impressive internships during college. I have looked at perhaps joining AFROTC but that would make it harder to graduate early and would possibly take away any time I might have used for an internship or job. I was wondering what is the maximum debt that is okay to graduate from college with and if anyone had experience with dealing with this much personal debt at such a young age. Alos if anyone has any experience with AFROTC, I'd be very interested in hearing from you. Thank you so much!</p>
<p>Maybe other parents will chime in. I think that much debt is far too much for a young person.</p>
<p>bronzedgoddess, that is too much debt for a young person to handle and will limit your future options.</p>
<p>If you join AFROTC, will this cut your cost of college to zero? What is your time commitment if you join AFROTC. </p>
<p>Why isn't there another alternative? Where are your parents or counselors to guide you?</p>
<p>Your minimum monthly payment on those type of student loans would be 500 bucks! Look for other options, ROTC is not a bad idea. Have you looked into the Air National Guard?</p>
<p>That is an awful lot of loans. Whether it is worth it or not is a difficult question and something I hope you discuss with an adult who knows you well. You should also investigate other alternatives. Have you talked to your GC and your parents about all of this? In general, the max amount the fed govt permits for student loans is really a good ceiling for students. Obviously there are exceptions, but you need some personal discussion about this. It is so hard to pay those things off--it really strained us, I can tell you. What schools and alternatives do you have? What kind of internships are you considering? </p>
<p>I know a young lady who was insistant on going to a private business college and is going to be $60K in debt for that decision. I can tell you that it is not worth it as she is highly unlikely to be able to pay that off without much distress and the benefit she get from going there over a state school is non existant. She just has it in her head that she HAS to go there. On the other hand a shot at Harvard for some people may well be worth the debt. Sometimes not. But a cost/benefit analysis needs to be done and you need to look at what kids graduating from these schools you are considering are making. I know some adults whose lives were really made so stressful, their credit ruined by taking out mega loans to go to NYU. They just did not get back the investment. Do talk to your counselor and to a trusted adult about all of this.</p>