Senior's College Choice

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi there, I am a male NMF, narrowing it down to the nitty-gritty right at the end. A few days ago, I thought I was done with the process- enrolled at Xavier University. However, by random chance something went wrong and I didn't send it in. Since then, my parents and grandparents have freaked me out and made me doubt my decision. I'm definitely going into a PPP/PPEL program, yet now I'm conflicted between Xavier and Arizona.</p>

<p>I was hoping that, based on the statistics presented below, you all could give me an unbiased opinion (so many people are pulling me in different ways).</p>

<p>Xavier University
Tuition and Fees: $42,270/year
Scholarship Award: 18,000/year
NMF Award: $1000-$2000 once
Father's Contribution: $12,000-$15,000/year (Including child support)
In the bank: $2,000 (with the addition of $1-2,000 more through working this summer)
Philosophy, Politics and the Public
Students in Program: 15-20 new a year
Class Size: 10-20 per class (I visited)
Many government internships available
Personalized attention
Amazing director who is also the Philosophy teacher (and your mentor)
Flown to Paris on University's dime Junior year to talk with kids from European Union
Has my intangibles (small private school, bigger city, childhood best friend is going there)</p>

<p>Arizona University
Tuition and Fees: $35,000/year
Scholarship Award: $30,000/year
Father's Contribution: $12,000-$15,000/year (Probably less because he wouldn't need to send as much)
Bank: Same as before
Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law
Larger program (Waiting on e-mail for class sizes)
Doesn't feel as personalized, more rigid, less attention</p>

<p>Basically, I fell in with Xavier the three times I visited. The invigorating feeling I attained from attending a class was just superb. However, I understand that as a teenager I can't comprehend debt all that well. My heart is with Xavier, yet my head is cloudy.
So, how long would that debt at Xavier take to pay off?
I understand that there is no wrong answer, but which school seems the better choice?</p>

<p>Thanks so much.</p>

2

<p>I should also mention, I received only a $5,500 Stafford Unsub Federal Loan. My mother and stepfather will not be contributing anything.</p>

3

<p>I think you should go to Xavier. You love it and there is still scholarship money. However, you really need to calmly talk it over with your family, and make your priorities known.</p>

4

<p>The only loans that you can take out on your own are the Staffords. Everything beyond that will require a credit-worthy co-signer OR that a parent takes out PLUS loans. If your mom and step dad aren’t chipping anything in, and your dad is limited to that $15k, it looks like Xavier can’t work for you.</p>

<p>You need to look up the total Cost of Attendance for Xavier and AZ U, not just the Tuition and Fees. Then run the aid offers here: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Award Letter Requirements - Finaid)</p>

<p>Right now, the entire cost of attendance at U of AZ appears to be covered. What your dad would pay would take care of room and board, the scholarship and a Stafford Loan would cover the tuition and fees, and you yourself can take care of the books, materials, travel, pizza, etc. with your own savings and what you can make with a summer job and school year job. That is a really good deal.</p>

<p>Remember, the total cost of attendance is likely to go up about 5% each year. You need to find out what happens with your scholarships. Do they increase along with increases in tuition and fees? Do you have to keep a certain GPA to keep the scholarship? That information will help your family decide too.</p>

<p>Wishing you all the best.</p>

5

<p>Are you sure you entered in Arizona’s tuition and fees correctly? I also applied there and I’m fairly sure that $35,000 is closer to the total cost of attendance. Last time I checked, the tuition was only around $26,000.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for your guys’ input.</p>

<p>In regards to my family, I’ve talked it over with them and they’re entirely behind me either way. The decision at this point rests squarely on my shoulders, and I’m torn.</p>

<p>As for happymom, I’m sorry, I misspoke. When I titled those figures as “Tuition and Fees,” that includes the room and board and everything else- I had already collected that information. So that knocks off about $10,000/year of what you were thinking, I assume.</p>

<p>My father would not need to take out loans on the 12-15K a year. Also, he is fine with co-signing.</p>

<p>I do not know about the increase of the scholarship, I will check on that. Thank you. As for the GPA, there is one, but I feel I can achieve it. If i don’t, then I slacked off and failed myself.</p>

<p>Judging from the new information, do you feel that the same stance applies as before?</p>

<p>Thanks again.</p>

7

<p>In round figures for Xavier:</p>

<p>18,000 (Scholarship) + 15,000 (Dad) = 33,000</p>

<p>42,270 (COA) - 33,000 = 9,270</p>

<p>9,270 - 5,500 (Stafford) = 3,750</p>

<p>So yes, it looks do-able.</p>

<p>However, if anything at all goes wrong, (for instance if your dad would suffer a severe financial reversal), Xavier will not be affordable. The great advantage for you at AZ U, would be that you can afford it without any help from your dad if you would ever need to.</p>

<p>Talk it over with your dad. Maybe he’s willing to set aside the same amount for you wherever you study. If so, attending AZ U could leave you with a nice small nest-egg to help pay for a graduate program or just get started in your post-college life.</p>