<p>I've been accepted to all the schools that I've applied to but narrowed my schools down to University of California, Irvine and University of California, Los Angeles. I come from a low income family with my EFC being 0. UCI is currently giving me enough money to only take out $2,900 in loans per year, whereas UCLA needs me to take out $8,600 per year. My dad is urging me to attend UCI because it is cheaper in the long run. I plan to attend medical/pharmacy/dentistry school after my undergraduates so there will be debt. My dad is telling me to take as little debt as possible before graduate school, because he is fearful of all the horror stories of students not being able to pay back student loans. However in my case, I really really want to attend UCLA but not being able to afford (or even allowed) to pay for the loans is putting me back from attending my dream school. </p>
<p>What should I do that's reasonable for me and my dad?</p>
<p>Your dad is a wise man. You can get into those expensive, debt inducing professional schools from any undergrad and UCI isn’t just any undergrad. It’s all up to your performance no matter which school you do undergrad.</p>
<p>I’ve called UCLA’s financial aid office and they said their offer won’t change unless my FASFA information has changed. So they aren’t offering any further financial aid I believe.</p>
<p>And for those who are wondering about my financial packages here they are :</p>
<p>UCI :</p>
<p>Gift Aid
Cal Grant A $12,192.00 Unconfirmed
Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship $4,000.00 Accepted
Federal Pell Grant $5,645.00 Confirmed
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant $300.00 Accepted
UC Irvine Grant $3,303.00 Accepted
Total Gift Aid $25,440.00<br>
Student Work-Study
President’s Work-Study $2,000.00<br>
Total Work Study $2,000.00<br>
Loans
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan to meet need $2,900.00<br>
Request Lesser Loan Amount
Total Loans $2,900.00<br>
Total Aid in My Aid Award $30,340.00 </p>
<p>UCLA :
Total Grants and Scholarships :
SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNITION AWARD $
4,596
FEDERAL PELL GRANT<br>
5,645
CAL GRANT A<br>
12,192
UC GRANT TO PURCHASE USHIP<br>
1,323
Work-Study (Federal, state, or institutional)<br>
1,500
Loans
Federal Perkins Loans $
1,800
Federal Direct Subsidized Loan<br>
3,500
Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan<br>
1,800</p>
<p>Correction: ALL medical school want to see volunteer service in applicants. </p>
<p>Medical, dental and pharmacy schoosl will all expect substantial shadowing and volunteer experiences in the respective disciplines, plus clinical or bench research. All of which takes lots of time.</p>
<p>Plus there is very little or no financial assistance (except for HUGE loans) to attend any of these professional schools.</p>
<p>Since the name of your undergrad will not affect your ability to gain admission to professional school, save your borrowing for professional school.</p>
<p>It looks like UCLA is giving you about $23k in gift aid. </p>
<p>UCI is giving you $25,440 in gift aid.</p>
<p>The difference isn’t that much…about $2500. You could earn that over the summer if you really want UCLA.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that much of the loans is going towards things like personal expenses, books, and travel costs. You can control those costs. Be thrifty.</p>
<p>I don’t understand the title of this thread. You were given enough aid to attend UCLA. </p>
<p>You were given $23k in gift money. That more than covers tuition, and a good chunk of room and board. Some loan money would cover the rest of R&B. Your WS provides pocket money. If you don’t want to take the rest of the loans, you can work over the summer. If you can’t work over the summer, then you can take the rest of the student loans. But, you were given enough aid to attend. </p>
<p>Students really should expect to come up with some money towards their educations. Even the top schools expect 0 EFC kids to earn a couple thousand over the summer. A school shouldn’t have to pay for your shampoo, deodorant, and pizza out with friends.</p>