<p>my dad and stepmom have pretty bad credit card debt</p>
<p>then he wouldn’t qualify to co-sign. </p>
<p>Many top schools do not meet need for transfers and many are “need aware” for transfers.</p>
<p>As for top programs at UB…which ones do you mean? What is your major?</p>
<p>I applied for electrical engineering but I’m gonna switch to economics math. I got my fin aid award letter. Say I move off campus. tuition and fees are only 9000 a year. COuld I keep the other 7500 to use for an apartment and groceries and ****?</p>
<p>My advice for you is to go to Buffalo. It has everything you will need to succeed academically. It is truly a full service university. It will prepare you well for any grad school/ professional school. and at that point think about going to CA. </p>
<p>My close friend’s daughter is at Berkeley in a PHD program and though living very lean, she does get a stipend and the tuition is free. She is not a CA resident and went to college on the east coast.</p>
<p>*I applied for electrical engineering but I’m gonna switch to economics math. I got my fin aid award letter. Say I move off campus. tuition and fees are only 9000 a year. COuld I keep the other 7500 to use for an apartment and groceries and ***?</p>
<p>Sometimes you can. It depends on the wording of your awards. Do any specify that there are for only living on campus? Does the school have a different COA for off-campus living? You’d have to contact the school and ask for particulars.</p>
<p>Most schools, and I believe Buffalo does fall into this category, has separate numbers for those who are living on campus and for those living off campus in terms of COA. But usually, if you find a place cheaper than the school COA, you can pocket the difference which many intrepid students do when they are not on the meal plan and being very careful with preparing their own meals and finding inexpensive house. My son lived in a house near South Campus for a lot less than what a double dorm room would have cost, so one can get away for a lot less in Buffalo than California, I guarantee you.</p>
<p>Why are the choices only UB and UCSB? There are plenty of other good SUNY schools, including Binghamton which has a well-regarded program for your interests, if you dislike Buffalo so much. Btw, I also have a kid at UB and agree with cpt that you may find yourself very happy there. I agree with the other posters that the combination of low SUNY instate prices and solid FA makes it a no-brainer for at least a few years…unless you’re willing to postpone a year and find other choices that will be affordable without a ton of debt.</p>
<p>Yes, you can use the excess refund money for rent and living expenses if you’re living off campus. UB’s COA estimates are on the high side for both on and off-campus. However they don’t begin issuing refund checks until 4 weeks or so into the semester so make sure you save enough money to cover books and other necessities.</p>
<p>Billy…where all did you apply? </p>
<p>It sounds like the only SUNY you applied to was B. Is that right? Where else did you apply?</p>
<p>Well, BIlly, congratulations on your acceptances and your great aid package from UB. The title for your thread is not accurate with what you’ve been offered at UB.</p>
<p>I applied to other schools but where I’ve gotten in Dubel and ucsb are my top choices. Still waiting in Stanford USC and Berkeley. Probably all rejections</p>
<p>Sent from my Nexus S 4G using CC</p>
<p>You’d have the same problem at Cal …not enough aid. Stanford would consider all parents’ incomes, so that’s a problem as well.</p>
<p>USC might work since they may not look at noncustodial income.</p>
<p>Of course you can get into top schools from UB. First of all, UB is an excellent school with a great reputation for a public university. Second of all, graduate schools care far more about WHAT you do at a particular place than WHERE you are. If you get some great internships (Buffalo is a large city and NYC is only a few hours away for summer), participate in leadership activities at your school, and do well in your classes, you can land an excellent job as a junior analyst. After a few years of work experience, you should be able to gain admission to top business schools for a finance degree.</p>
<p>I got my financial aid offer from Santa Barbara. 24k a year in grants and scholarships, plus 2k work study. Do you guys think UCSB is worth it now?</p>
<p>Is that based on your mom’s EFC ? If so, you’re going to lose ALL that aid if you use your dad’s income next year…which you’ll have to since he’ll be your residency.</p>
<p>So, the school will be affordable for one year only. Then what?</p>