So my top choice is almost financially unfeasible at 39k (ticket price tuition is 60k/a year), but I’m currently making appeals on that and working on scholarships. My second choice though is 29k a year, and I’m not sure if I should push for more financial aid since the original tuition (room and board included) is 60k/a year. My mom agreed to pay 10k over parent plus loans, and my dad is doing 20k (for complicated family reasons) however I’m not sure if he’ll do this past my freshman year. Is this too much for college? Should I try and appeal, or am I asking for too much?
(Top choice is Savannah College of Art and Design, second choice is Moore College of Art and Design)
It was way too much for my kids. In fact, they didn’t pay/borrow more than $30k for all 4 years. SCAD is a nice school but way way way too expensive for most students to earn/borrow their way through. Not only will you have tuition but will have to buy a lot of supplies over your time there.
There are a lot of state schools with very nice art and design departments. Look at those in your state or states where you have reciprocity. If you post your stats and your state, many people will have suggestions.
Your parents don’t have that money for you. Borrowing $10k is a lot. Not being able to rely on support from your father for years 2-4 is difficult on you financially and emotionally.
Don’t do this. Look for a cheaper, public option. Do a grad year at SCAD
At the top choice, assuming the best, would only be around 40k in student loan debt (over four years, but I’m probably only going for three due to APs and the current college classes I take), while the second choice would look like none to a few thousand.
I have never seen a SCAD student able to graduate in three years. Have they told you that you will, or are you just counting up your credits on your own? Check your math with an academic advisor at the college before you proceed…
Students your age don’t understand or picture the amount of money that $30K. When you start working in the summer for 40 hr work weeks and you save your money over 16 weeks, you’ll be lucky if you make $3000 over the time frame. You need ten times that.
So this is how I explained it to my kids:
If we were to buy an average new American car, stripped down, no extras-once a year, for 4 years, that’s what you would have to pay-$30K minimum.
Each car payment comes due every month and I’m not even including interest. Neither you, nor your parents can afford that kind of payment a month.
It just connected with me that you are a design major. Do your absolute best to graduate debt free. Later if you want to continue for an MFA, look around for one where you will have full support. My kid is a theatrical lighting designer. Local CC to affordable in-state U to MFA that is fully funded for all three years. She can afford to be an artist when she finishes. Students with a boat-load of debt can’t.
You state you aren’t sure if one parent will continue a significant amount of support after the first year. That is a huge concern, because if he doesn’t…where will that money come from to cover the difference.
I agree with @blossom. You need to really talk about SCAD early graduation potential. You may find…it’s not possible.