Michigan State or Central Michigan

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So here's the deal. I live in Michigan, and have had my heart set on Michigan State for awhile now. I applied to Central Michigan around the same time as State just because, and they came back with a little bit of scholarship money, nothing that made me want to go to Central over State however. </p>

<p>I recieved a letter in the mail the other day and the scholarship for Central has been increased. At the same time I recieved no aid from State. This is making me wonder if State is worth the extra money.</p>

<p>Here's the break down:</p>

<p>After 4 years at State personal student loan : approx: 50k.
After 4 years at Central personal student loan: approx: 20k.</p>

<p>I mean 30k is a lot of money. It's a downpayment on a car and apartment when I graduate. Personally I want to go to State. I know you'll make friends everywhere, but almost all of my friends are going to State, and I know people already up there, etc. The only reason I want to go to Central is because obviously it's cheaper. </p>

<p>Am I wrong to go to State? I was talking with my dad, and he asked a question that I've been considering a lot, "are you comfortable graduating with 50k in debt?" My parents do not have the means to cover all my college costs, I'll be getting about 10k a year from them and the rest is loans. </p>

<p>Now that Central offered more money I'm just so lost, and only have till May 1st to get one of my deposits back so I have to decide soon.</p>

<p>Responses are much appreciated!</p>

2

<p>I live in Michigan, and am familiar with both schools. I say follow your gut to MSU. You can always do things to lessen the debt burden, like work part-time in East Lansing, take community college classes during the summer so you can graduate a semester early, or find an inexpensive living arrangement off campus for a year or 2.</p>

3

<p>I agree. I think state is the way to go. Both are good schools, but your gut is pushing you towards state for a reason.</p>

4

<p>50K is a ridiculous amount of money to be in debted after undergrad. Go to Central.</p>

5

<p>Without a co-signer you can’t borrow 50k. You are limited to the maximum federal loans (stafford). Central is your only affordable option.</p>

6

<p>My dad would co-sign for the loan, but it would be my responsibilty to pay it back. </p>

<p>Also I plan to go into business, but a part of me wants to go into law, but I don’t know if that thought will last past freshman year.</p>

7

<p>There are some handy loan repayment calculators at [FinAid</a>! Financial Aid, College Scholarships and Student Loans](<a href=“http://www.finaid.org%5DFinAid”>http://www.finaid.org) run them and see how much you’d have to pay each month to get rid of that debt. There is a reason for the Stafford loan limits. Few recent college grads can pay down loans bigger than that. If you are considering law school, you need to consider how that would be paid for and how much your total debt load could be.</p>

<p>How about starting at Central and than transferring after two years to State? That would leave you with debt in the 30-40k range which is not optimal but certainly better than 50k.</p>

<p>For fun reading on just how bad dealing with student debt can turn out to be, visit [Project</a> on Student Debt: Home](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org%5DProject”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org)</p>