<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I wasn't quite sure where to post this originally. My dilemma has to do with financial aid and transferring, but I was really hoping some of the parents posting could share their opinions. If this is the wrong spot, please let me know. I apologize if this is a bit confusing. </p>
<p>Currently I am a Junior (in standing) at a SUNY school upstate. I transferred to this school from another SUNY after my freshmen year. I am on a leave of absence from SUNY New Paltz while I have been attending SUNY Fredonia. While I am a junior in standing, I'm technically in my 4th semester of university. My estimated graduation date is for Fall 2012. </p>
<p>I have three semesters left and I'm not sure if I'd like to stay at my current school or return to my original school.</p>
<p>Part of the reason I transferred from my original school was to save money. My freshmen year I had an EFC of 0. My financial aid package was actually fairly decent. I only had about 6,000 in loans for my first year of university. When I recieved my award package for the 2010-2011 at New Paltz, I was concerned I'd be taking too many loans. My package for that year required more student loans and parent loans as well. In an attempt to save some money I decided to try another SUNY school closer to home with hopefully a better financial aid package. I did end up saving a bit more money attending another SUNY, but I'm not sure if I'm as satisfied (and the savings were not as extreme as I was led to believe).</p>
<p>Fast forwarding a year, I ended up attending SUNY Fredonia. While I like Fredonia, I'm not sure it's as good as a fit for me. Also, while Fredonia looks like it will be a bit cheaper than going back to New Paltz, I'm not sure it's worth the minimal savings I will have. </p>
<p>Here's a breakdown of the two financial aid packages:</p>
<p>New Paltz is offering me mostly loans, and it looks like it may be tough to make the finances work. Estimated:
Perkins - $4000
Direct Sub - $5,500
Direct Unsub - $2,000
Pell - $2000
TAP - around $2,000</p>
<p>That adds up to around the direct costs of attending. My parents will most likely have to get a PLUS loan of $1,000 and I will need to cover books and living expenses. I do have a summer job lined up so that money will be helping for costs as well. </p>
<p>Fredonia has offered me some additional institution grants that mat help allieviate the costs:
Perkins - $3000
Direct Sub - $5,500
Direct Unsub - $2,000
Pell - $2,000
TAP - $2,000
Emergency grants - $1,800</p>
<p>My parents will most likely also need to get a parent loan for Fredonia as well, but it may be less.</p>
<p>My dilemma is that while the cost difference isn't extreme, it may be harder to finance New Paltz. However, I found myself much more motivated and interested in my classes at New Paltz. I felt the "spark" at New Paltz and I haven't felt that in my classes in Fredonia. Also, I have some professors I absolutely loved in New Paltz. Fredonia has been fun and I still have academic opportunities, but I feel more confined in what I can study here. I do still have three semesters left. I'd like to enjoy my time left in college but I'm also very concerned with debt. </p>
<p>Currently I have around $14k in debt all together. My parents gave a total debt of $2,100 from the past two semesters. </p>
<p>Sorry this is so incredibly long. Any input would be appreciated! Thank you for reading.</p>