<p>I’m confused about how much money actually needs to be borrowed. </p>
<p>OP states that there is a remaining cost of approximately $7900 and she gets a $2000 work study job and a $3500 student Stafford loan. </p>
<p>So can the $5500 be used to offset the $7900 of remaining costs or is the remaining cost what is left over after you include in the loan and work study?</p>
<p>If the latter, then OP will graduate with at least $14K of loans in her own name–if you add in 4 years of $8000 of loans to cover the EFC, we’re getting close to $50K in loans.</p>
<p>If the latter, then OP will graduate with at least $14K in Stafford loans and $10K in other loans to cover EFC…which seems doable.</p>
<p>One thing that you should factor in–annual increases in the costs of tuition,room and board, etc. One would hope that the financial aid would make up the difference, but will it make up all the difference?</p>
<p>I always assume a 5% raise in costs every year.</p>
<p>Do you have any other alternatives at this point?</p>