I’m a community college student looking to transfer to a 4-year public university in New York State at the end of this year/beginning of next year but am a bit confused on how I’m supposed to fund the last two years of my education. The universities I’m looking at are the big four of the SUNY system (Buffalo, Stony Brook, Albany, Binghamton) and possibly New Paltz. The tuition is reasonable and under 10k/year, but each of these would most likely require me to live on-campus, or at least, close to it, which would bring my costs up to 25k/year (+/- 3k).
I generally qualify for a substantial amount of financial aid due to my parent’s income, and I know about direct sub/unsub loans, but if all three of those were exhausted, what would be my next step? Do public universities generally offer any aid? I know some offer merit aid, but my college GPA is only 3.9 without any frills - no real extracurriculars due to high course loads, and no real honors courses - in other words, I’m fairly milquetoast.
If anyone could assist me I’d be thankful. Hopefully this is the right forum.
The aid that you will get from SUNY will come in the form of TAP (NYS Tuition Assistance Plan) Pell, a SUNY Tax credit (which will be applied to your fees) and loans.
Even if you have a 0 EFC full TAP, Pell and Loan will not cover the full cost of attendance at a 4 year SUNY if you have to live on campus or rent a room. You will have to work, your parents may have to take out a PLUS loan or they will have to pay out of pocket
Also, keep in mind, unless you are currently in an opportunity program (College discovery or EOP at one of the 2 year SUNY schools), you will only receive TAP for 4 years if you are attending full time.
Are you currently receiving tap and Pell? If your family’s income is relatively stable, then you know how much you will receive. How do you plan on filling the gap?
I see from your other posts, you are looking to do homeland security. The only SUNY that offers a degree in that are is SUNy Canton. you need to toss an application to them (perhaps even Potsdam who will allow you to cross register)
While you were in high school, did you have an IEP?
I do currently receive both TAP and Pell Grants. How can I fill the gap? I understand taking out unsub/subsidized loans will help me partially pay the costs, but after running a few NPCs for my main choices, I still owe ~$2000 - $4000 annually. Would negotiating private student loans be an option? I’ll be taking a few months off (about 6) prior to attending in the Fall of next year since I’ll be finishing only a few days before Spring starts, which will give me time to work 40 hour weeks until I leave. This is what I’ve been doing on-and-off for community college, but I’m not sure if that will be enough or if I’ll find steady work.
The University at Buffalo offers merit scholarships to transfers with GPAs of 3.5 or above, making it particularly appealing. None of the others offer immediate transfer scholarships, merit or otherwise.
Sorry, forgot to add that all of the SUNYs I’m looking at are around $21k (+/- $2k) including room and board. Approximately $8,000 for tuition and $13,000 for room and board, which includes a meal plan and a dorm. Depending on the school, an apartment with utilities and food would be cheaper to pay for off-campus, but are loans allowed to be used for that if they’re Stafford?
I’d certainly rather that happen than have my parent have to take out any loans on my behalf. This is my education. I don’t want them on the hook for anything.
My current degree is liberal arts at the community college to fulfill gen eds. Cyber Security sounds interesting, but I’m not sure if it’s doable; most CSE degrees require up to Calculus II (at least) and I have no background in Calc.