@apandia thank you SO much!!! That means a lot to me, I appreciate the kind words!! 
BIG UPDATE #21: I FINALLY received my UNCW FA offer…$7k in grants, the other $29k is in loans. It covers everything.
Don’t take loans if you have a college fund… But the 7k merit scholarship was surely a nice surprise!
$29k in loans…ouch.
^that’s where the college fund comes in . And 29k is lower to take out of that account than Quinipiac would have been.
Yeah, I guess so.
@MYOS1634 that’s a good point about the college fund, and I totally agree with you. QU gave me more scholarship aid, but I’d still have to pay $30k…absolutely ridiculous. Trust me, I personally am loan-averse. I don’t want to take out that much in loans, but I’ll talk to my parents and see what happens.
^ unless tour parents have been lying to you this whole time, you have enough in your college fund. It’s there for that purpose - use it. Don’t take a loan if you don’t have to.
BIG UPDATE #22: Well, it looks like I will have to take out those loans, at least at the moment. My dad told me yesterday that while I DO have a college fund, it would only have covered the full costs at an in-state school. So that means that while Stetson, Rider, and Pitt-Johnstown would have been just fine, Quinnipiac and Hofstra would literally have been unaffordable.
And by the way, my family and I are actually still living with friends. It’s been close to two and a half years since we lost our home, and it’s been a long wait to return to where we once were. However, I have been told that if everything works out in due time, we WOULD be able to pay the full COA at UNCW.
Well mate, I hope everything works out for you.
Uncw is your cheapest option right? With your scholarship it should be about 22k if I’m not mistaken, so, very close to instate costs actually.
Is it a 529 or???
How much debt are we talking about? The federal loans and nothing more right…or. …?
Why were your parents pushing for unaffordable options like Quinipiac?
@DarkEclipse thanks man. I know it will work out for the better.
@MYOS1634 I did get a local scholarship of $5,000 which was not factored into the costs. UNCW gave me two grants which totaled $7,000, but no scholarships (you had to apply for those). However, it is indeed my cheapest option. I believe my college plan is a 529 plan.
Yes, I only received federal loans. My parents told me not to worry about paying them back, though. As for QU, I think they just wanted me closer to home, which only served to push me farther away.
Random update: Wow, I can’t believe it. It’s August 1st, 2015. Exactly one year ago today, I began the college application process by applying to three schools on the first day of the Common App. Now, I’m exactly TWO WEEKS AWAY from move-in day at Dubville. I’m very eager with anticipation and optimism for the future. I can’t believe that it’s all come so quickly.
To anyone from the HS Class of 2016: happy opening day. I wish you all the very best of luck in this long, grueling, tormenting season. Just remember that God has a plan for all of us, and He will lead you down the right path. Be patient, let things run its course, and you’ll end up where you’re meant to be.
Wishing you great success as you embark on this exciting journey!
Thanks LBad! I’ve loved reading your story and you have been a big help to me.
I wish you the best of luck at W! Have a great time!
PS: if you want any restaurant or off campus info about Wilmington/Wrightsville, please please please DM me!! I know the area pretty well and would love to give you some ideas.
Interesting story. I don’t get the difference between UNC W at $29K loans and the looked-down-at $30K to go to Quinnipiac? Anyways. good luck. Aside from $1K that is.
@Karencat there is a huge difference between $29k in loans and $30k out of pocket…
Were there loans on top of thé 30k out of pocket? If yoyr parents could pays 30kout of pocket for Qyiniac are they refusing to pat for UNCW or was the money never there?
@MYOS1634 the money was never there. They couldn’t pay 30k out of pocket.
That’s what I thought you’d explained earlier but I was trying to make sure case any of ny readers wondered …