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[quote]
he OP has done a terrific job of assembling a great finaid package (I'm assuming this has already been awarded, not an estimate...). Still...that being said, we did not contribute to any costs for college beyond tuition, room, board and college fees. Our kids were responsible for all other expenses including books.
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Thumper, the OP is paying her own tuition, room, board and fees already with loans, her summer earnings, and scholarship money. She is paying for everything right now. The expectation that her parents should help with the cost of other expenses is completely reasonable seeing how this girl is essentially paying for Dartmouth on her own already. This is an entirely different situation than your kids paying for their own expenses because your kids weren't also paying for tuition, room, board, and all the rest.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I disagree with the suggestion not to get a job. My kids were much happier, in high school and in college, when they had jobs, and I don't think it affected their schoolwork negatively at all. (My older child's GPA went up considerably after she got a job, but the job wasn't responsible for that, either.) They liked the unaccountable spending money, the social interaction (with people who weren't 17-22 or teachers) and connection to a broader community, the different skill sets required, and the feeling of competence they got from it. Based on her experience, my daughter is recommending that her brother get a job immediately when he starts college rather than waiting until his second year as she did. Of course, your mileage may vary on this.</p></li>
<li><p>People raise a good point, camelia: Costs will go up by several thousands of dollars a year over the course of four years. You could probably get by without parental contribution this year, but you should absolutely get a clear agreement with your parents about their financial responsibility, because you are almost certain to need it in the future unless your financial aid expands to cover all the increase, which I suspect won't happen.</p></li>
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<p>I didn't get a job until my sophomore year, my grades went up a lot. Counterintutive but there you go. I worked 10 hours a week. My parents paid for books I paid for my fun. My inclination would be to see how things go the first semester then think about a job. </p>
<p>I do think your parents should pay for as much of your education as they can afford - or at least what they think they can afford.</p>
<p>I think it's fair to say that books for the year will come to roughly 2/3 of your $1500 put aside, Camellia. That doesn't leave a lot for other things -- and the "unaccountability" of your own funds is attractive. Avoids those parental tugs-of-war!</p>
<p>Personally, I'd get a job for 5-10 hours a week. It will get you out of the books and into the real world for at least a little while, and probably broaden your social life in the process. If your parents decide to give you a small allotment, then try to put some money away against next year's expenses.</p>
<p>My S worked in HS. He also ran track and cross-country.</p>
<p>We have discussed his up-coming freshman year at college. He told me that he felt that he had an easier time in HS with his grades when he was working and actively engaged in his sports. He said it made him better budget his time.</p>
<p>He told me that he is going to get a job after the first two blocks (his college is on a block system) which means sometime in late October. This is in line with what mathmon suggested.</p>
<p>I think you will need more than the $2K from the summer. Another $200 per month would give you a cushion. A job that required limited hours would be what I suggest.</p>
<p>Your desire to have as much independence as you can is admirable and advisable. Parents can have a change of circumstances or just renege on what they have promised. Also, try as a parent may, it is at least a temptation to want to put conditions on the money you give.</p>
<p>Are you saying a $60K loan will be paid for in $300 monthly payments. That doesn't sound right.</p>
<p>It seems to me that no matter what European parents are prone to do (and there are lots at US colleges whos parents are paying) if your parents can afford to lower that loan they should. I don't know about the lost of living in your Country but what if you decide to try to stay in the US? Will your gov't loan you more for grad school?</p>
<p>Would you people give it a rest on the loan? It's heavily subsidized by the Swedish government, and is economically equivalent to borrowing about $5,000/year at market rates and getting a $9,000 grant. It would be moronic to reduce it.</p>
<p>I hear you and wish the US govt would follow suit. However, isn't $60K a lot at any interest for undergrad? I totally understand if it's the parent's plan to contribute later, but she hasn't said that to my knowledge.</p>