Questions about UC’s and other California schools as a prospective student

Well, we have an amount we can afford, and it would be up to our daughter if she felt so compelled to borrow the difference. I believe by that point our out of pocket budget would be about 35-40k as a max. She would have to take on the rest.

She will also apply to other colleges, and so it may end up being relative to the offers. For example, if her best offer is a solid school (let’s say Virginia Tech) on a full tuition scholarship versus full price at UCB, I would presume she would take the VT option. However, if her best merit offer elsewhere is closer in total cost, then borrowing the extra X per year may pay off for the right majors from a school like UCB. In any scenario, it’s a long shot anyway, but just trying to learn about the options.