<p>My EFC is ~20k and USC made it so that i would have to pay ~21.5k a year. My parents are really reluctant to pay that amount, and i even agreed to help and take out loans, but they say they don't want me to graduate with a lot of debt.
So should I feel bad for trying to get them to help me pay to go there? I worked really hard in high school, and I would hate for it to feel like a waste (although I realize that it won't ever be a waste, but that's just how it would feel),</p>
<p>i know how u feel, im kinda in the same situation. i think of it this way, after you get a really good job and you are making good money, you will be able to pay them back.</p>
<p>Do you have any other options? Did another school give you a better package?</p>
<p>How much money can you make in the summer and during the school year to put toward your expenses?</p>
<p>How cheap are you willing to live while you are in college (only used textbooks, no car on campus, etc.)?</p>
<p>Think all of these things through carefully.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>I'm in a similar situation. I got into USC too, and my parents have to pay 25K, which is stretching it. I also have to take out $3500 in loans and earn $2500 in work study.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I got into my state university with a full scholarship.</p>
<p>My only other options are: Ohio State for around 15k per year, and New Mexico State U for free... but almost everyone in my high school is going there and I really would rather go to OSU or USC. I am willing to live as cheap as it takes, since USC has always been my dream school, and i feel very fortunate for getting accepted.</p>
<p>i went where the money was. seriously i am sure that you will have just as good as a time at the place where you have to pay a lot.</p>
<p>What are you planning on studying? What school were you accepted to at USC? This could be crucial information.</p>
<p>Look at what you wrote in your first post "My parents are really reluctant to pay that amount".</p>
<p>Then look at what you wrote in a later one about your other options "Ohio State for around 15k per year, and New Mexico State U for free". The difference between 21k and 15k is 6k per year. And you can just about count on tuition/fees/housing increasing by 5% to 6% every single year. This difference is not trivial. Now think about the difference between 21k and 0k. That is (at minimum) 84k in four years. Think what you and your parents could do with that money. A car or two, an expensive Jr year abroad program, a 5th year of college because you change your major or do a time-consuming double major. Heck, you could take them to Australia and back a couple times for that amount of money.</p>
<p>Have a heart-to-heart with your parents about the money. Some really want to do whatever it takes to help their kids achieve a "dream" and will make unbelievable sacrifices. Others want to help their kids achieve a "dream", but when it gets down to it, really, truly, don't have the money. You, and your parents need to find out what the truth is for your own family.</p>
<p>Wishing you well.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice, and I got accepted in to Marshall school of Business, which is somewhat important since NMSU's business program doesn't come close to Marshall</p>