<p>Money is the big factor here...</p>
<p>My Ds dream school is Northwestern. Got accepted to Medill and wants to study journalism. We have a high (50k) EFC and NU offered loans only -- no grants at all. I honestly can't imagine how we could even afford the $56,500 COA (not even including travel from home in MA), without taking large loans through home equity. We live where the cost of living is very high, and believe me, we do not live lavishly (both my husband and I drive 10 yr old cars, we vacation once/yr in a rental house on a lake, eat out only once or twice a month, and are basically fiscally conservative). Although it is far from home, we have close friends and family in Chicago and Evanston so she is comfortable going there.</p>
<p>She was also accepted to William & Mary, which at $43k COA is at least in the realm of reachability for us. They do not have a journalism major, but she is also potentially interested in public policy, or going on to law school after. Biggest drawback is location -- she knows no on in VA, and is very worried about being that far from home.</p>
<p>Finally, University of Delaware (Honors College) gave her a very nice scholarship, which would ultimately result in 4 years there for the cost of one single year at Northwestern. She threw that application in as a response to a letter from them, as a safety school. We really know nothing about it. </p>
<p>We have 2 other kids coming up too (though she has always been the most motivated, academic, high achiever of the 3)</p>
<p>We are trying to decide whether we should go out on a limb financially to achieve her dream. Will we and she regret forever the lost opportunity? Can anyone tell me anything about U.Delaware?</p>