<p>My parents had always told me to strive for what I wanted; I've wanted USC ever since I could remember. Now that I got in, my mom is doing everything she can for me to NOT go. Well, ever since she found out its a good 60k a year, according to their website. What do I do?</p>
<p>I understand her problems since I already have a sibling at a UC school ($31k a year) and were only making $40k a year. Add on the $60k a year, and we'd pretty much be drowning in debt. But I'm already skipping out on prom, sober grad, senior trip, yearbook...etc. to try to save them as much money as possible!</p>
<p>Instead of USC, she is trying to persuade me to go to a cheaper UC school, preferably the same one my sibling is going to in order to save travel expenses and housing...I really want USC. I'm clueless and a bit angry. Please help!!</p>
<p>Also, I don’t think I’ll qualify for their scholarships since Questbridge wouldn’t forward applications until December 15th. Although that’s ironic because wouldn’t Questbridge applicants be seen as “low income,” and therefore shouldn’t they forward their applications before the deadline for scholarships instead of after? :/</p>
<p>USC financial aid is very generous. Have you checked your financial aid status on USC connect? I am a low income student as well, and received over $42,000 in grants from the university. Other CC members have posted with incomes similar to your family’s saying that they have received more than $40,000 in grants as well.</p>
<p>Remember, grants do not have to be repaid. USC also offers other smaller grants, and work study. In my package, I was offered four loans per year, only two of which will gather interest while I am still in school. The other two total to only $2,000 a year. For me, with both parents unemployed, living in a middle class neighborhood with typical assets, even without merit aid, USC is more affordable than state school. For you, USC should also be more affordable than a UC, and is probably a better investment anyway, as UC’s are publicly funded and do not offer generous financial aid. </p>
<p>USC is a privately funded university which works hard to make education affordable for the students it so carefully selects. You’re at even more of an advantage because you have a sibling who will also be an undergraduate (as do I) and USC more than takes this into an account. Check your financial aid status, and don’t fret if it isn’t complete. Not everyone’s will be just yet. Wait for the confirmation email.</p>
<p>If USC is your dream, find a way to make it happen. Again, your financial aid should be more than sufficient, and look for local and national scholarships to supplement your and your parents expected contributions. Best of luck, and fight on! :)</p>
<p>Check out the financial aid options available to you. USC is known for being pretty generous. If you don’t get enough aid to make it affordable/the same cost as a UC, then it wouldn’t be fair to your family to make them go into debt so you can choose USC over another fine school.</p>
<p>I’ve been applying to a lot of local scholarships, but I won’t hear back from 95% of them until May/June. So far, I’ve only won $1250 in local scholarships. I did apply for financial aid but I can’t view my package until I send in my tax return verification (which I will fax on Monday at school).</p>
<p>I don’t want to put my family in debt. But I also don’t want to give up my dream.</p>
<p>Wait…you’re actually ANGRY that your parents are against you attending a school that will eventually put them $240,000 in debt? </p>
<p>USC is known for being very generous with financial aid. It’s a private school, and if your parents are collectively making just $40,000 a year, you will probably be getting a lot.</p>
<p>KaiLun, you should be okay since you submitted CSS and FAFSA (by their deadlines?). Just make sure they aren’t asking for any more FinAid documents on USConnect and, based on what you are telling us about your family’s income, you should receive a pretty nice chunk of money (hopefully) making USC affordable for you. Good luck!</p>
<p>P.S. I have yet to receive my financial aid package from USC but I do hope it makes it affordable for me, too!</p>
<p>Thanks Prodigyy11!! I’ve seen you around on the other USC threads and congrats on your admittance! Do you know how soon after we submit all the requested financial aid documents can we see our fin aid package?</p>