<p>I just got notification today of receiving the Silas H. Rhodes scholarship from SVA for 12,500, the highest amount. SVA is my first choice, the school I want to go to far above all the others, so as you can imagine I'm pretty ecstatic.</p>
<p>But my mom (had to rain on my parade, lol) calculated up the total costs of tuition, board, fees, living expenses and subtracted the scholarship and the amount my parents are willing to pay, and there is still a deficit of around $16,000. My parents refuse to co-sign any loans. I plan on working over the summer and during college (as a student worker hopefully, if not then independently). I am giving up my summer vacation, everything to work all summer while my family is going on vacation. I would work now except I have track, 2 AP classes and 4 AP tests to prepare for.</p>
<p>Anyway, basically, what I am asking from more experienced people is can I do this? I got a much higher scholarship to SCAD but I just fell in love with SVA and New York. I plan on applying to be a RA after my freshman year at SVA, and RA's have free room/board. I will also continue to apply for outside scholarships.</p>
<p>Any advice on what to do and how to raise more money quickly would be greatly appreciated. This is so frustrating :(</p>
<p>I think both schools are awesome! But finacial problem is also deserved to seriously consider before u make a decision. So how much u got fm SCAD? If it's not that much higher, I encourage u to pursue what u really want~~~good luck!</p>
<p>However my parents talked seriously about it and we are both willing to make sacrifices. I think they are going to let me take out a loan now. But I don't feel totally comfortable knowing that they will be strained because of me, when the financial situation would be a lot easier at SCAD. It's not that I didn't like SCAD, I just LOVE SVA and I feel like NYC is where I want to live/work after college. I know this will require a lot further discussion :(</p>
<p>WOW~~~thats a GREAT scholarship! Good for u!
But also a tough decision, right? cuz seems u r more interested in SVA. So how different is the program? And probably u can also list all the advantages & shortages of both colleges, see if u can figure out a solution.</p>
<p>^ My mom talked to them to get a closer measurement of the actual costs, and it turns out I would have to come up with an extra $23,000 in tuition/fees, not $16,000. So it's looking pretty impossible at this point.</p>
<p>She talked to the financial adviser too, but there's nothing else they can do. I don't qualify for financial aid. It turns out that I originally didn't get the scholarship after all, but I had written my admissions adviser a letter saying how much I wanted to go to SVA but couldn't afford it w/o scholarship, and he turned around and made me his pick for the Silas Rhodes. So it's tough because I really appreciate what they've already done for me, but sometimes things just don't work out.</p>
<p>I'm really bummed but I'm realizing more now that its more about my personal drive than where I go to college... so I'm hoping MICA will pull me through. If not then I'm off to SCAD....</p>
<p>*I don't dislike SCAD, I just would prefer to go north :P</p>