<p>I should be studying right now but instead all I can think about is going into debt. I SIRd to UCLA, and I'm happy. But I am also scared they literally only offered my enough to cover tuition through Blue and Gold. While every other UC(other than UCSB) offered me way more. There are two thinks that are making me reconsider my decision to attend UCLA. I am married so I can't get guaranteed housing on campus, and everything close to UCLA and not owned by UCLA is too expensive. Also my major, I love my major but honestly as much as I love it I know its not wise to get into a huge amount of debt over a History degree especially when I want to go to grad school. </p>
<p>So now Im thinking I made a selfish move choosing UCLA. </p>
<p>I am reconsidering UCSD who offered me $20K
and UCI which offered me $19k</p>
<p>UCB offered me the most but idk about moving out there, we won't be able to relocate my job. </p>
<p>With both UCSD and UCI I wouldn't need to take out loans at all. Since Ill have enough saved and have an okay income(enough for rent) </p>
<p>my spouse fully supports my decision to go to UCLA, but I have this guilty feeling and I'm not sure how to feel about it anymore </p>
<p>You can always appeal your Financial Aid for UCLA. They seem to be pretty accommodating when I talked to a financial aid officer at the transfer day. </p>
<p>If your end goal is ultimately going to graduate school, I believe at the undergraduate level, the differences between UCs are minimal. However, I think ucla has the strongest history major program out of the three (just a guess). Gut feeling is to go with a school that you feel most financially secured. Not being financially stable will eat away your gpa and further hinder your chance at graduate school. At the same time I would think cost of living shouldn’t be too different from UCLA and UCSD (not sure on UCI). If you look around UCLA it is possible to spot a studio under $1k and even a better option is to possibly having room mates. I’m assuming your tuition is ~$13k so its around ~$7k hit you would take on financial aid. Divide that up by 12, it means you have roughly ~$583 less per month while attending UCLA. If you can somehow manage cut down your living expense UCLA might be possible. Good luck</p>
<p><strong>Edit</strong> It seems you’re an exceptional students, and certain scholarships would be easy to acquire. Don’t underestimate $500~$1000 scholarships, those things adds up.
This link may help <a href=“http://careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch/ScholarshipCategory.asp?searchtype=category&nodeid=22”>http://careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch/ScholarshipCategory.asp?searchtype=category&nodeid=22</a></p>
<p>People talk about debt like it’s the worse thing in the world. I’m not saying to take it lightly, but the reality is that most of us will live our lives in debt. Car notes, mortgages, loans to start a business etc. It seems overwhelming right now with 2 more years of undergrad and grad school staring us in the face, but debt for school will not be the death of us. </p>
<p>I myself am taking out loans, so that I can find a PT job rather than FT so I can focus more on school. Once I’m finished with grad school, I’ve committed to myself that I will keep my living expenses close to what they are now regardless of my earnings, and use my additional income to pay my loans off as quickly as possible. I’m assuming since ur married you’re a little bit older student like me. If you have gone back to school after years of working, just to follow a dream, don’t stop now! Sit down with your spouse and come up with a realistic payment plan based on how much you will likely earn after grad school. I consider myself an investment and I’m worth the risk. </p>
<p>UCLA is amazing, and you know this. You’ve worked hard for it, and I’m sure your spouse has supported you every step of the way. If you think you’ll be truly happy living, learning, and networking in San Diego, then go. But if UCLA is really where you need to be, do it. We’ll all be in debt for something or another. School, especially UCLA, is worth being in debt for IMO.</p>
<p>My wife and I will be in the same boat for Fall 2015 when I transfer, as an American Lit major. But after long talks, we decided I’m worth the investment. It seems your wife had the same feeling. Don’t get cold feet now. You’ve been accepted to one of the best Universities in the free world. Take advantage of this and focus on your GPA. </p>
<p>My plan is law school with a full ride somewhere after UCLA, so gpa is everything to me (and LSAT of course). But anyway, I just wanted to assure you, you’re not alone. There’s a lot of non-trads out there who are not getting the financial aid so many others are, but we’re diving in to make our lives better and our wives, friends and this community here online all support us. DO IT!</p>
<p>@sonic are you 25 or older? Have you had a five year gap in your education? If so, you probably qualify for the $5,000 osher scholarship. UCLA sent me an email about this last night. </p>
<p>School is an investment towards a greater future. UCLA is worth it</p>
<p>Thanks everyone you guys are right UCLA is worth it! </p>
<p>Glad to hear it @sonic23 </p>