<p>I think I would tell him to take the full scholarship at the College of the Atlantic (a wonderful school!) and see how he likes it for a year. If he’s not happy, he could transfer to a less expensive public school, with a year for free under his belt.</p>
<p>Agree that knowing what the $$ debt will be at the other schools is an important piece of the puzzle, but also agree that Clark is a better academic option than Eckerd, though St. Pete is pretty and being so close to the beach has its draw.</p>
<p>Yes, we live 25 miles from Bar Harbor. It’s really not appealing so much when you are in the area and know how it shuts down in the winter. It’s pretty far to snowboarding which keeps one sane in a Maine winter! I went to Smith so I know the 5 college thing and think it is great. He has friends at his school that are really putting down Worcester. He has been accepted to Lewis and Clark in Portland Or and our family is considering a move to that state. It also comes with a 20k price tag after merit scholarships and grants but I feel like it is a better value in a very progressive place. I worry about Eckerd and the beach life, honestly even if we overlook the cost. So…thanks for the input. I certainly wish I’d have known about this site long before two days ago!</p>
<p>You may be able to help somewhat with the debt. I found that I saved a lot on household expenses not having my child at home. I saved lots on groceries, electric bills, gas, money for music lessons…You’d be surprised. At least the first 4K I spent was offset by cost savings and the American Opportunity Tax Credit of $2500. Of course, the AOC is set to expire in 2012.</p>
<p>OP- we found the savings that GT refers to quite illusory. Kid has a lab until 9 pm one night a week- cafeteria is closed- needs to take a bus to a full supermarket so kid ends up buying a sandwich for dinner. Of course you won’t begrudge your kid a sandwich… but by the end of the semester, the little incidentals end up costing more than the savings on our electric bills and the other household expenses. Boys eat a lot- so my grocery bill went down- but the kid is still eating at college, you just don’t get the advantage of buying staples at Costco!</p>
<p>Eckerd just sounds beyond your budget. No ifs ands or buts. It hurts not to be able to buy your kid what he wants, but it will hurt more 8 years from now when he’s still living the student life, can’t afford a car, can’t afford to move out of the cruddy apartment he shares with 4 other guys, because his loan payments have taken over his life.</p>
<p>I think you’ve got a good, affordable option. Why not try it before he decides it can’t work for him?</p>