I am curious why you are curious to see if you get into any of the UC schools? It’s a UC, not the holy grail.
Parent loans because they do not really have the money could be trouble in the future. It more likely that they will depend on your future earnings for retirement, since they will be paying down those loans instead of saving for retirement. This can have the effect of forcing you to chase money when making life decisions, such as taking the highest paying job now rather than choosing one that may pay less now but you like better and has more favorable future career development prospects.
I also don’t understand why this information has so much value, and why you would apply to four of them.
What is your FAFSA EFC?
I just wanted to apply to the UC schools because otherwise I would always wonder whether or not I would have been accepted and this way I’ll know. It doesn’t mean I’m planning on going there. It’s just always been a dream of mine I guess to go to a UC school because it would be a way for me to transition to living in California vs. just moving there and not knowing anyone or being established at all. It looks like I don’t have that option though lol.
And my FAFSA EFC is ~$50000
How much are you willing to sacrifice to go to a UC school? You might be approaching the deadline, but there’s always ROTC. You might come across as a tool if you go around bragging about what schools you got admitted to, but didn’t attend. If you know there’s no chance of you going to a certain school, don’t apply.
Ok, so your FAFSA EFC is about double the COA for your instate flagship. No need to run the NPC.
You already know that the UCs are off of the table because they are unaffordable. You do not have the luxury of wasting money on UC aopplications, just to see if you can get in. You need to learn how to make better money decisions starting now.
That money would be better spent on paying your enrollment deposit at the affordable option school that you will ultimately attend. That money could be used to purchase a text book, school supplies or pay your dorm deposit.
So you are willing to waste $100 per school (application fee plus sending scores) just so you’ll know if you got in?
^ it’s water under the bridge since those apps were due in November. However, you have to shift your thinking quickly - you’re likely have loans until your mid 30’s, which means wasting $400 on something ‘just cause’ is no longer possible. You’ll be scrimping and saving every dime. You won’t be able to buy a new car, to choose where you live. You’ll have to share an apartment, drive a clunker, eschew going out. $400 is a lot of money that you could have used for books next year, for example. They’re $400 you’ll have to ‘earn back’ because you’ll need them.
I’m guessing your parents have a high income and have always spent lavishly, with no savings, so all of this will be new to you, and it can be really tough to adjust.
The UC app was only $280 and it was something I would always wonder about if I hadn’t applied. I know it’s not the best use of money but I didn’t think it was such a deadly sin to apply.
It’s okay. But now on, you have to adjust your thinking. It’s the cold, hard reality.
Earn the $280 back and set them aside.
U Wisconsin Eau Claire has a good Honors College BTW. UMN Morris is great for CS and has a “private college” feel.
UMN Twin Cities is really good, and has reprocity so it’d be the same cost as U Wisconsin.
Those are universities you can invest in applying to.
And if you leave U Wisconsin, look up “my children’s college” for the complete list of full tuition/full ride list.
So to summarize, your parents really want you to go instate (UW-Madison), but won’t give you a dime for instate tuition? Let’s focus on that. UW-Madison costs what…$25K per year? How much do you have in savings? You can take $5500 the first year in loans.
I feel that they are bluffing. I would call their bluff and tell them you are attending CC or focus on Alabama. Did you apply to Alabama? I think between the federal loans of $30K over 4 years and working you may be able to afford room and board at Alabama. You could move off campus as a junior or senior and save money on room and board.
Sorry…but younwasted $280 which could have bought you a texbook…just to “see” if you would get accepted? Oh please.
What other schools beside UW-Madison, and those UCs did you apply to?
Or do you hope to guilt your parents into paying for a UC should you be accepted?
@suzyQ7 call the parents “bluff”? What makes you think this is a bluff?
^ there are many families with EFC 50K who have saved virtually nothing and even use credit cards to purchase whatever strikes their fancy. It’s very, very common, up to being “normal” in some communities. It’s going to be a huge adjustement for OP.
Hopefully OP can apply to UW Eau Claire honors, UWGB, UMN-TC, and UMN- Morris.
@MYOS1634 I totally agree with you. I don’t think this is a bluff…at…all. It is highly possible that these parents have other financial obligations that prevent them from spending over $50,000 a year on college.
It does look like the parents have unreasonable expectations that the OP attend a college that is unaffordable, given the stated parent contribution of $0.