Need help please! This is important!

<p>Hello everyone, so I qualify for the HEOP at NYU. I sent in all my documents today and I was reviewing all my other options. My parents want me to go to Stony Brook, which I agree with 100%. I like the program Stony Brook offers and it seems like a great school. Let's cut to the chase, I have no idea how much debt will I end up with after going to NYU (if admitted HEOP) or Stony Brook if admitted EOP. Dorming is very expensive and I am not sure if I will have to pay a little or a lot, well my parent's income is low, which leads to me to think that I might get a lot of financial aid. However, I am not sure if the debt is worth the price of going away to Stony Brook or just going to CUNY or something like that. Please help and explain to me how the financial aid system works in SUNY and NYU HEOP. Thank You!!!</p>

<p>Did you file your FAFSA and TAP applications? That is going to determine the bulk of your federal and state awards, which will be Pell, TAP, and Stafford loans. Assuming your EFC is 0, you would receive a full Pell grant (this year it’s $5550, not sure if it’s going up next year), a full TAP award (which cover the $4970 SUNY/CUNY tuition), and a $5500 Stafford student loan of which $3500 can be subsidized (no interest charges while you’re in school). It’s likely you would also get other aid such as a small Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), a Perkins loan (subsidized), and federal work study award. That applies to any of the 3 schools. SBU may give you additional grants such as SUSTA. You’ll likely be able to afford the cost of attendance there as long as you’re willing to take the Stafford/Perkins loans and it’s possible that you won’t need the unsubsidized loans at all. I think the public schools try very hard to meet 100% of need for low income students.</p>

<p>HEOP is not really a financial aid program, although additional aid is often given to support students. It may or may not be increased by need-based grants at NYU…you might post a question on the NYU forum and see if any HEOP students respond (or just ask the HEOP office there). You should probably just keep this option open until you get their FA award, but be prepared for the worst. It sounds like you’ve got a great financial safety in Stony Brook and would be happy to attend…so congrats!</p>

<p>Thank you for your response, I greatly appreciate. I understand what you explained and it made me feel a little better that there so much financial assistance. Hopefully, I will be able to attend Stony Brook.</p>

<p>BUMP!! Anyone else can help me?</p>

<p>Congrats on NYU HEOP. Did u apply to NYU RD or ED2? I’m pretty sure the HEOP program covers majority of the tuition cost at NYU, so you should be fine. BTW what is your ethnicity if you do not mind.</p>

<p>Hey thanks and I applied Regular Decision and I’m Latino.</p>

<p>Please read “How to pay for college without going broke” by Chany (Khany) or another book that covers the same ground (ie, financial aid for college). </p>

<p>You need a lot more information and background than an internet forum can provide. You and your parents will be making decisions that will save or cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Far too many kids/parents blithely sign forms and run to Walmart to pick out dorm gear – never really understanding all that they have signed or all that they will owe in a few years time. </p>

<p>This is tough and complicated – but a college kid can figure out a lot of it. Please – you really need a broad, deep understanding of how financial aid works. “Financial Aid” is an umbrella term that includes loans and grants. A school can give you “aid” in the form of loans that will break your life. And they can look you in the eye and speak with confidence so you are too nervous to challenge or negotiate anything. Get smart and start with a comphrehensive book on the process. Good luck!</p>

<p>I have my heop eligibility interview this thursday. Does anyone have any tips for me? Also how much does heop cover?</p>

<p>Depending on your grades Stony Brook does give out merit money for high stats… I think it was something like $3500.</p>

<p>Good luck and congrats!!!</p>