<p>^^^</p>
<p>Ahhh…so you mean…$24k PLUS room and board. </p>
<p>Have you found out what your likely EFC is?</p>
<p>mom2, am I wrong in saying that $24k+ shouldn’t be the cheapest school on a list if you need lots of financial aid?</p>
<p>^^ I calculated it last year and it was around 5k?</p>
<p>^ Yes, I know that 24k isn’t cheap in any meaning of the word, but I would feel like a school that has cheaper tuition wouldn’t be at par with what I am searching for. If you have any suggestions, feel free to let me know.</p>
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<p>PLEASE make sure you look at the total cost of attendance INCLUDING room/board/expenses…AND tuition. It does you no good to look only at the tuition costs unless you miraculously have free housing, food, books, travel, clothes, school supplies etc. EACH school will give you a total cost of attendance. MANY require freshman students to live ON campus and be part of a meal plan. Room and board can easily add $10,000 per year onto your costs.</p>
<p>I know you want to “get out of CA” but don’t cut your nose to spite your face. If you are a low income student, you would also be eligible for the CalGrant which is (in my opinion) generous. CA is a HUGE state and no matter where you are in that state, there are other parts of it that are as far away as going out of state…and have different characters than where you are now. The Cal States would be affordable to you with a Cal Grant and you Stafford loans…and if your EFC is low enough perhaps even some Pell money.</p>