How re you going to pay for Montreal?
Well, I may not be able to, that’s the problem. But if I am, it would have to be out of pocket, or I’d have to win the one $20,000 scholarship I’m eligible for, but I wouldn’t depend on that happening.
SUNYs cost ~$30k for nonresidents. CUNYs are ~$25k. I don’t see any scholarships for OOS students to speak of, so I wouldn’t depend on those to close a $13-18k/year gap.
What are your stats? Did you qualify for merit anywhere? If not, your most affordable option is likely to be a NJ state school. Can you afford to dorm at one? If not, are there any within commuting distance of your home? That’s a good option if you have it.
You did not really read my statement: unfortunately you will not be attending a 4 year CUNY this fall. The deadline for applying to the 4-year schools was Feb 1. The reason I mentioned the CUNY community colleges is because they do on the spot admissions if you miss the deadline
The CUNY Scholarships are the STEM incentive ( you have to be graduating from a NYS high school this June) the Macaulay Honors college which had a December application deadline.
I already applied to four of the 4-year schools in addition to the Montreal schools and French schools, not sure if I said that already. That’s why I mentioned CUNY in the first place. Sorry for the misunderstanding. Whether I will be able to afford it is another subject, of course.
In any case, there may still be hope for Montreal. The course I have to do as an American student (preparatory year) is actually only 24 credits, putting my tuition down to like $9.5k-10k. After that year I can transfer to McGill or Concordia. I have to see about McGill, but I know transferring from UdeM to Concordia is easy after completing a year with good grades. While both schools offer ample financial support, as was said already, McGill would be ideal since it is also about $3k less expensive than Concordia.
Thoughts on that?
According to post #10, Montreal doesn’t participate in the student loan program. Your costs are $10k for tuition, plus ~$12-15k for travel, room, board, and health insurance. That’s ~$25k. You can’t use your $4200 Pell grant in Canada, so how are you planning to pay for it?
I have my personal savings at $6k but I work so it may be more by the time I start. We have a laughable $2k in my college savings account. My dad has a total amount in his savings just about sufficient for all 4 years (say $60-80k since the last time I knew the balance), though obviously not all of it is available for this purpose since there are bills to pay and his own expenses to take care of. He and I will have to go over how much he actually has available.
What do you think of other loans? Like from Sallie Mae?
I don’t think students, especially Pell students, should borrow more than the $5500/year federal student loan. I was a Pell student and our family is borderline Pell eligible now. PLUS and Sallie Mae loans are disasters waiting to happen. If your family can’t raise $2500/month now to pay for college, how will they be able to make payments on $100k+ of debt 4 years from now?
I wouldn’t raid your dad’s savings to pay for a dream college. How much can your parents contribute every year without borrowing?
I think I’m only Pell eligible because my parents are divorced and I listed my mom, whom I technically live with, but who doesn’t make a lot or have a lot in assets. 2/3 of my EFC is from my own assets.
You have a point about the Sallie Mae and PLUS loans.
This is what I have to ask tomorrow. My mom is unsure on her part, since most of what she makes and saves is tied up in expenses.
What does this mean?
For FAFSA, you put the parent you stayed with more during the previous year. There is nothing “technical” about it.
That IS the technical answer.
@HRSmom I’ve seen students say they “technically” live with x parent because that parent has custody of them when they really live with y parent.
So, again, I ask what the OP means by “technically live with.”
Too much suspicion here
Why do you have to go to college in Canada?
You can’t use Pell in Montreal. If you wouldn’t qualify for it by listing your dad, I’m guessing his adjusted gross income is ~$80k or more. I wouldn’t expect him to be able to pay $25k out of current income. If he can, great. If not, take whatever budget he gives you and find a school you can afford to attend.
Good grief, HRSmom. I’m not being suspicious. I was just trying to make sure the OP didn’t incorrectly fill out the FAFSA.
Why not go to a school in NJ? Doesn’t seem like you have the money to go to NY, Canada or France without financial aid. You would need housing, food, utilities, health insurance for France, it is not free. Your $6k savings would not last for 4 years.
You could go to a good school in NJ, and study abroad a semester in Canada, or France possibly. With your EFC you would most likely qualify for NJ state grant program too, in addition to Pell and student loan, and your savings and work earnings.
You already waited a year, you can go get an affordable education and then move wherever you want to.