<p>I've been accepted as a transfer student to UNC Chapel Hill. Based on their website, the total cost of attendance will be roughly $41,140 per year. I have been offered the following aid package per year.</p>
<p>$16,000 grants
$2,800 - Federal Perkings Loan
$3,500 - Federal Direct Subsidized Loan</p>
<p>Tuition & Fees - $26,834
Room - $5,520
Board - $3,950
Books & Supplies - $1,150
Travel - $1,404
Health Insurance - $926
Loan Fees - $28
Personal - $1,328</p>
<p>Source: Tuition</a> and fees</p>
<p>Since I am a transfer student, I should be finished at UNC in roughly 2.5 years. That means my parents will pay roughly $45,000 over that course of time. I will also have roughly $16,000 in loans to pay back.</p>
<p>Are the numbers on the UNC website a high estimate? Any tips on how I could lower these numbers?</p>
<p>You need to find out if the UNC grants are only for 4 semesters. Some schools limit their grants to 4 semesters for transfer students.</p>
<p>If you have your own insurance, see if you can waive that req’t.</p>
<p>Personal estimate is low. Travel may be high if you don’t live far away.</p>
<p>Books is highish if you’re careful and buy used.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids - Thank you! I’ll definitely look into that (about the grants).</p>
<p>Also, I know generally when a student starts as an OOS student, they finish as an OOS student. I have heard though that at UNC, OOS students can appeal to be consider in state. I do have family in North Carolina and it is very likely that I will be staying there after college. Would this be a possibility, if I can prove my intent to remain there?</p>
<p>Unless your PARENTS live in North Carolina it won’t be possible for you to be considered in-state during your time at UNC. Intent to remain in the state isn’t a consideration for undergrads. </p>
<p>Here’s the residency classification manual for UNC:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.northcarolina.edu/legal/residence/committee/manual/Residence_Manual_Aug_2010.pdf[/url]”>http://www.northcarolina.edu/legal/residence/committee/manual/Residence_Manual_Aug_2010.pdf</a></p>
<p>As far as keeping your costs down, I see three line items that you can control: books, travel, personal expenses. Buy used books, keep travel costs down by timing any flight purchases, keep personal expenses down by not hitting starbucks every day. You might also see if there is a less expensive meal option (the Board number).</p>
<p>@WayOutWestMom - Thanks! :)</p>
<p>@Erin’s Dad - Thank you. I also figure I could cut out the health insurance aspect, since I am still under my parents health insurance.</p>
<p>Did some research and it does not appear that there is a 4 semester limit on grants for transfer students.</p>
<p>Have you contacted the FA dept and asked? They are always your best source of information. Website info can be out of date or confusing.</p>
<p>@WayOutWestMom - I will do that first thing tomorrow :)</p>