So there are two colleges (Vassar and Wesleyan) that I am conflicted between. Although I do slightly prefer one over the other, Vassar requires me to take out federal loans (around $3500/yr) while Wesleyan is essentially a full-ride. Both technically meet my need, but I’m a little more reluctant to take out loans, especially if I intend on going to grad school. Should I bother trying to ask Vassar for more in grants and less (or no) loans.
You can ask…but Vassar includes the loans in their package. Yours is $3500 which is really a low amount.
If you can meet your net costs at both schools…this loan amount is not onerous.
Congrats on having two great schools to pick from. It would definitely be worth having a conversation with the FA office at both schools. Don’t make your decision based solely on the first year’s net cost, especially if you have siblings. Ask both schools what happens to your aid next year if an older sibling graduates, or if a younger sibling attends at the same time, etc. If the tuition increases but your family income stays constant, do they give more aid? Does the school provide a different aid amount if you are on campus in a dorm vs. an off campus apartment for your upperclassman years?
If, when you’re done after 4 years, you only have $14K in loans, that’s not really a huge amount. You are wise to consider the impact that loans will have on your potential grad school years, but how much of the other questions are really known?
You don’t have to take the loans. You can earn that $3500 difference.