<p>Hi, my name is Rafal. I am planning on going to UIUC next fall and pursue in Computer Science. However, I would have to take $13500 in loans for year 2010-2011. Is it too much already? I mean, I have been a really good student so far and I have no doubt that I would keep studying hard in fallowing years. Assuming that I would need that much in loans for next years, 60k is a thread for me even though I would finish UIUC in Computer Science, a very fast growing field. Any thoughts about that, please?</p>
<p>If you have a reasonable alternative to UIUC without incurring debt, you should consider it. If you have to incur debt, getting a CS degree from UIUC will allow you to pay it off in a reasonable amount of time. UIUC is a great school. Whether it’s worth it is your decision.</p>
<p>I do have an alternative option which is the University of Wisconsin at Madison. I would go as an out-of-state student but this year they proposed reducing my tuition to in-state tuition. I do not have a warranty, though, that it will be available for me next year. If I had to find additional $15,000 next year, I’d be stuck…</p>
<p>UIUCs tuition is fixed for 4 years. Wisconsin’s will rise over those same 4 years. Wisconsin and Illinois are both highly ranked. Computer Science at Urbana is more highly ranked than Wisconsin, but the schools are very comparable, and you can’t go wrong attending either. My son was only offered $5,500 in federal loans as an OOS at Wisconsin, so that nixed the deal for us, but it seems like you got a reasonable offer from them this year. You’re right to consider that it isn’t guarenteed from year to year.</p>
<p>I called both of the schools and there are no additional funds available. My very close friend is going to Champaign and we would actually roommate together so this is another reason I am for UIUC. Both of us like studying and this would make a nice beginning.</p>
<p>My reasoning of choosing uiuc ofer uw-madison is that I count on getting more money next year. As for now, the school doesn’t know me but if I push myself next year, maybe I’ll receive more grants? I will also look through various private scholarships. What do you think? Does it make sense or am I being super abstract right now?</p>