Out-of-state Transferring Student...In a Dilemma

College Search & Selection
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<p>As the title says, yes I am a transfer student and yes I am in a dilemma. </p>

<p>I am from California (currently going to school in the Northeast but hate it there :( sorry for people that it there), and while I do realize that there are many academic institutions in my state that are phenomenal I feel that I still want to go out of state just to shake things up.</p>

<p>After careful consideration, I have narrowed down my choices to UTD (University of Texas at Dallas), TCU (Texas Christian University), SMU (Southern Methodist University), and TTU (Texas Tech University.) Schools that are all in Texas (and all that I have been accepted into). Why Texas you may ask? Well I never have had negative or doubtful feelings being in the state of Texas. I travel there often for sports or family and for that I feel like it is a second home. I wouldn't be to surprised that I would be moving there after college, since the cost of living is a lot cheaper and there seem to be many opportunities. Anyways, enough about my reasons on choosing Texas as THE state I want to go to school in and more about the schools themselves.</p>

<p>As much as I do like all of these schools, I do feel that financial aid is the biggest deal-breaker (sad but true) when it comes to college choice. Right now UTD is giving me the Direct Sub , UnSub , and Parent Plus Loan which all add up to 36,712. Texas Tech is giving me the Direct Sub and Unsub..which is only 7,500. TCU has given me a 9,500 grant as well as the Direct Sub, UnSub, Parent Plus Loan, and Work Study which has added up to 45,110. Finally, I cannot comment on SMU, since they have yet to give me a financial aid package. </p>

<p>One of my biggest questions is, which one am I getting more bang for my buck? While TCU is looking good, they regret to inform me that they no longer have on campus housing available. I also don't have a car so I will have to rely on public transit to get to and from places. Also, since TCU has included work study in my financial aid, while I be required work to have the work study aid stay in my financial aid package?</p>

<p>Now for UTD I am wondering if the public transportation is any good as well (just out of curiosity)? UTD is able to give me on-campus housing and while I have not received work study as part of my package I am wondering if I can apply to it as well.</p>

<p>Texas Tech will not give me as much money as I have noted, so I am not sure =/</p>

<p>And SMU, well....no comment haha. </p>

<p>I just need to know which choice would be a better financial fit for me, I don't want to be ripped off as I have for the past three years...I don't want to put my parents in some coma from shock right now. (If you haven't picked it up yet, I am a dependent student.) </p>

<p>Anyways, please...for whomever is reading this and has knowledge about the universities or just financial aid in general...I would kindly ask for your help. The days are counting down, and decision day is drawing nearer and nearer. Thanks again.</p>

<p>-PlanetVenus</p>

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<p>I really like SMU, if cost is not an option. Pretty campus and nice people.</p>

3

<p>Can your family afford those OOS school costs? All of the “aid” you’ve been given by UTD is loans. What is the COA for each school once you subtract grants?</p>

4

<p>Yes my parent’s can afford the school costs. I think my question was asking more about the colleges themselves, now that I realize it. Anyways, I will give you more information…these are the total costs (minus the misc )</p>

<p>Texas Tech: 29937
UTD: 34076
TCU: 43860
SMU: (Still being processed.)</p>

5

<p>It all depends on how much your parents can shell out each year. Are they good for $44,000 or so for TCU? Can they pay only $30,000 for Texas Tech?</p>

<p>If they would have to do this with loans, rather than out of a college savings fund, then these places are too expensive for you. Sit down with your parents and find out just exactly how much money they have available before you make your choice.</p>

6

<p>Yes they are willing to pay that much. Actually at TCU I believe I won’t have to pay the full price tag since they are giving me a grant, and because they’re private and not state…and while I do have to have loans…anyone that knows about California’s situation should understand that even the in-state price tag for UC’s (CSU’s are a stretch, however…) are probably going to be the same or maybe even higher than going to a state school as an OOS.</p>

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<p>So that would make TCU about the same cost as UTD, and both are still >10% more expensive than UCLA.</p>

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<p>For now…I guess in the -near- future it could surpass it. Have they even updated the tuition costs for UC’s (as of this week)? Not sure if I am able to find it.</p>

9

<p>[UCLA</a> Financial Aid Office - Financial Aid Cost of Education](<a href=“http://www.fao.ucla.edu/fao_information_costs.htm]UCLA”>http://www.fao.ucla.edu/fao_information_costs.htm)</p>

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<p>Thanks anyways. I made my decision of going to TCU because my parents are alright with paying that much. My dad gets angry at me for being stingy bleh, money isn’t an issue anymore ^^. Anyways my decision was also based on the fact that I will receive my degree within a year so I don’t have to worry anymore and onto my life as a Grad student…</p>

11

<p>Have you checked into the particulars on that? All schools I know of require 2 years to graduate with their degree.</p>