<p>If you’ll just need the loans for this semester, my two cents would be to go ahead with the transfer. The loans from a single semester wouldn’t be that difficult to pay back over time. (You can also run calculators to see what your loan payments will be based on the amount you take out and your interest rate). However make sure you have a plan for future semesters because if you take the loans this semester and then discover that you don’t get the aid you are hoping for next year, then you’ll wind up stuck in a situation where you’ll have to keep borrowing. Absolutely DO NOT borrow the money if there’s any chance you won’t complete the degree. </p>
<p>Others have suggested internships/co-ops which IMO should be part of any college education. Not only will that help offset costs, but will also make you more employable when you finish your degree (you’ll have experience and hopefully some good references). Any large school should have a program for internship/co-op opportunities, so if MN doesn’t emphasize it much, then seek out there career placement center and ask about opportunities.</p>
<p>As for grad school, especially with an econ degree, expect your employer to reimburse at least a portion of it. Some employers are far more generous than others and you can make sure you consider that when you’re looking for job opportunities in a few years. If you pursue an MBA route there are countless numbers of part-time, remote, and executive MBA programs that many businesses will reimburse for. If you’re looking for a full-time MS program then do your best to find one where you can get some type of grant or stipend, but that would be a bit more difficult than getting reimbursed for an MBA.</p>
<p>As for employers, there at least used to be a few employers that provided educational reimbursement to part-time employees. Starbucks used to give $1000? to any of their, even part-time, employees to use toward college and I believe Best Buy did the same. They’ve both been impacted with the economic situation, so I’m not certain if they still have those policies, but you can look into those or other employers that might provide some money toward tuition and even a little is better than none.</p>
<p>Also your aid package didn’t seem to include work study, it would seem that you should be able to get some of the loan money replaced with work study money, but perhaps the school has a limit they’ve met for this year? Perhaps someone with some financial aid knowledge has an answer for why there was no work study included?</p>
<p>Transferring schools THAT many times will not help you. Each time you transfer, you have to send your transcripts from the previous school and HOPE that the credits and courses will transfer. Sometimes they do…and sometimes they simply do NOT. The more you transfer, the more likelihood you will end up with some courses that won’t transfer.</p>
<p>There is also the social aspect of going to different places. You are not giving yourself any chance to familiarize yourself with the school, activities there, the professors, the towns…things that might interest you…and friends. While your goal is to complete your college education, these things are important to. Hopping around does not give you any stability. </p>
<p>My opinion…try to figure out where you will likely stay and go there. Don’t go anywhere with the idea of transferring. It’s one thing to get someplace and decide to transfer…it’s quite another thing to go someplace with transferring in mind from the get go…in my opinion.</p>
<p>Since you’re a transfer student and possibly a bit older, have you thought about applying to be an RA? Usually you get free room and at least partial board. My D is in her second year of RA’ing and I highly recommend it. She has not had to take out any loans so far and we have not had to spend as much on her u/g so we can save it towards the masters’ she will need in order to teach.</p>
<p>@Thumpr- I completely understand where you’re coming from…but wouldn’t it be the same in terms of social aspect when it comes to transferring because I’d transfer my JR year to a university and start fresh so same as if I were transferring from a Community College? or no?</p>
<p>I will be attending. My father is able to cover it. If I don’t like it, I can always transfer to back to FL (USF- University of South Florida), right?</p>
<p>I’m thinking that I’d transfer if I don’t like it if worse comes to worse. The whole “I don’t recommend it because of social life would be messed up” doesn’t fade me…because entering USF from a CC as a Junior regardless.</p>
<p>since you qualify for in-state tuition, I am not sure why you did not qualify for Minnesota Pell Grant. It is need based (smaller than Federal).</p>
<p>Find out if after moving to MN you can list your dad as a custodial parent and if that will qualify you for MN Pell Grant. </p>
<p>Also, did your financial aid include work study? The hourly rates are higher for work study jobs and you can offset some costs using money you earn from working.</p>