<p>Okay. I'm looking for a realistic number as to the cost for an instate student to attend LSU.</p>
<p>I don't know anyone who lives on campus and has TOPS. Most kids I know live in a parent owned condo and have TOPS and say they pay nothing to go there.</p>
<p>Based on wonderful posts from kids on this forum, I'm getting a more realistic picture here.</p>
<p>We are a regular middle class family who will probably get denied need-based aid.</p>
<p>My son is a good student, so he will probably get the largest TOPS award. But he's not going to be valedictorian, and he's not in the top 10 percent of his school. </p>
<p>If TOPS just pays tuition at the highest level, and he lives in a dorm, what kind of cost are we looking at? I know there's books, which we pay for now, about 300 a year, so that won't be a shock. Are you required to purchase a meal plan if you live in a dorm, or do you just have to purchase one as long as you're classified as a freshman?</p>
<p>Son will not have a car, so don't worry about factoring in gas, parking permits and that kind of thing.</p>
<p>Also, are there jobs available on campus if you don't get work study?</p>
<p>And see if your son will qualify for any of these scholarships. If your kid has a 3.0 and has a 30 ACT then he'll at the least get the Centennial award, which is $500 a semester and the Chancellor's Aide which gives him the opportunity to earn up to a set amount of money per year. (but if you get Work-study, take the work-study it pays more)</p>
<p>If he doesn't get that or work study then depending on what he wants to do, certain professor's or departments are always looking for help doing different things. So, it's not too difficult to get some type of on-campus job. </p>
<p>If he does get the chancellor's student aide or work-study, then if I can remember correctly they ask you what type of job do you want (i.e. office work, library, research, etc.) and if research or office work, they sometimes try to put you in one that's related to your major. Such as, I'm a biology major and I do research in biology lab (though my first year I worked in an Environmental Engineering lab and transferred to a different lab). My girlfriend wanted a office job and she worked in Office of Public Affairs. </p>
<p>You are required to get a meal plan only during your freshman year. I always liked Tiger lite meal plan, but if your son plans on making extensive use of the dining halls then something bigger may be appropriate. I would almost recommend a meal plan if he continues to live in the dorm. If he moves to the on-campus apartments, then he'll have better opportunities to cook his own food if he chooses.</p>
<p>I can respond later with more information, but it's Friday night and have non-school related things to do. :)</p>
<p>If your kid is smart, he/she will receive the an instate tuition waver (pay the same amt as instates). And merit scholarships will cover some too. The biggest part that you must pay would be the housing/meals (about $5000 I think).</p>