So after many hours of thinking and talking to my friends and family, I am still undecided about where I want to go. I initially wanted to go to a UC but all of them rejected me (except Irvine, which I am also expecting a rejection from. Didn’t apply to Merced or Riverside), so I’m down to these 4 colleges.
So a little bit about me, I’m a CA resident and plan to major in Electrical Engineering and minor in either Economics or Biology. Not sure. My parents make a little less than $30k per year, so cost is a major factor in this. I also plan to dorm on campus.
Here’s my college list and the total cost of attendance. (Formatted as College: Total Cost of Attendance - Total Grants, Loans, and Work Study = Leftover)
CSU Long Beach: $24,568 - $20,462 = $4106
CSU Fullerton: Doesn’t show up on my portal but I would guess it’s the same as CSULB
San Diego State: $29,162 - $17014 = $12148 (-$12058 = $90 if we include Parent PLUS Loan)
Mt. Sac CC: Doesn’t say anything yet, but the NPC says $6271 - $5775 - $496
*Note: These are all ESTIMATES
I guess the things I want in a college is a good location, nice dorms, nice campus, and good education. Right now, I’m leaning towards CSU LB but the dorms are kind of making me not want to go there lol.
So yeah, if anyone could give some advice about where I should go and some other stuff about the schools (pros and cons), that would be great. Thanks!
Mistake. The UCs give much better aid.
Not sure where you are getting $29,162 for SDSU. This is what the website states for COA for SDSU:
UNDERGRADUATE:
Basic Tuition and Fees: $7,488
On-Campus Food and Housing: $16,735
Total : $24,223
Books/Transportation and Miscellaneous expenses are not included but you can reduce costs by renting books, not bringing a car to campus (save on parking fees) and use the SD Trolley to get around. You can also reduce the cost of Food and Housing by getting a triple with a lower cost meal plan.
The same can be done for CSULB. There are ways to save money and if you are able to commute to CSULB, then it well within your budget.
If you are ELC, you may get an offer from UCM.
The way UC and CSU FA works for California residents from low income families, the net prices (subtracting grants only from list price) are usually CSU commuter < UC < CSU living at school.
@mom2collegekids Yeah, I’m aware. Blue and gold program plus pell plus cal grants = free for me. My overconfident self didn’t let me apply to UCR. I really regret that.
@Gumbymom I got $29k from the sdsu aidlink website when I logged in.
@vrooomvroom24: Estimates are always on the high end and as I stated there are ways to reduce costs. I am a full pay parent for my younger son whom attends SDSU and his costs are no way near $29K/year.
CSULB sounds like the best option even if you have to live on campus.
@Gumbymom Yeah you’re probably right. How about the community college route though? I’d consider it but I hear that it is EXTREMELY hard to get the classes I want
Mt Sac is a good option, but all CA CC’s are overcrowded and it can be difficult to get your classes. You have to be flexible on class times and professors if you want to transfer in 2 years but definitely a great cost savings which can be applied to your last 2 years of your Undergrad.
do everything you can to avoid the Plus loans.
Huge mistake not applying to Merced or UC Riverside…both growing faster than ANY OTHER UC’s with a huge upside!!