So I understand that the estimated cost for stony brook yearly is 23k which includes estimated cost of attenndence and estimated personal expenses. I didn’t get the financial aid package back yet but assuming from what I got from other schools I’ll prob get around 10k for sbu. Now that isn’t a lot and my family Isn’t in the financial situation where we can spend so much money on college. I plan to take out federal student loans which has a maximum of 5.5k and that still leaves a gap even with a total of 15k for both financial aid and federal student loans. How am I suppose to fill in this gap? Do I take out parent plus loans? If so, the interest rates are incredibly high. My parents aren’t contributing to paying for my college at all. I’m honestly at a lost of what to do.
Most students in your situation would attend whatever is in commute distance from home.
Yea I understand that but not attending stony brook would be very regretful. I’d much rather throw myself Into debt than live a life that I end up regretting
You can’t base your SBU aid estimate on aid you received from another school. You’ll get a better estimate by running the Net Price Calculator on the SBU website. Did you complete the FAFSA? What was your EFC?
If your parents can’t contribute at all to your education, then you have to find a college that you can afford with whichever of the following resources you get:
- the federal student loan ($5500 as a freshman, $6500 as a soph, and $7500 each year as a jr and senior)
- merit awards from the college
- your work earnings from a summer job
- federal Pell grant (IF you qualify)
- NYS Tuition Assistance Program grant (IF you qualify)
BrownParent is right. Many NYS students who don’t qualify for Pell or TAP and have parents who can’t pay $15k out-of-pocket each year end up commuting to a local college.
Efc is 0 and I fully qualify for both pell and tap. I intend to take out full federal student loan as a freshmen. And I’m willing to take out any extra loans If necessary (which of course, it is)