<p>I think it's important for the OP to get from her parents specific information about how much they are willing to commit to paying each year for her college education. It is always important for students to find out that info before making their college plans. </p>
<p>While there are certainly plusses to going far from home to college can have some legitimate concerns about students going far from home. For instance, parents may not feel comfortable sending far from home a student who has had academic or maturity problems.</p>
<p>There also are parents who want to keep their students close to home because the parents don't want their kids to move far from home after graduation. Some parents think it's important for family members to stay in close proximity with each other. One may disagree with the parents' values, but if they are funding their student's education, the parent can put whatever restrictions on that funding that they wish. Of course, students who wish to have a different kind of experience than their parents will fund always can seek alternate ways of funding their education.</p>