So, USD is sounding really good right about now......

<p>I was surprised that USD gave me the best financial aid package! I'll be honest, USD wasn't my number one choice, but it's starting to climb the ranks thanks to the financial aid they gave me! San Diego is a great city and USD is a great school. Does anybody else want to give me a couple of more reasons why I should choose USD? I need a good "pick me up" after getting a slap in the face by the financial aid packages from my top choice schools. lol!</p>

<p>Really? That's weird because the financial aid package from SDSU was the worst one I received. I even got a better package from a UC...</p>

<p>That's probably because you're talking about SDSU. This is USD. COMPLETELY different schools.</p>

<p>dubblyu91--I'm in exactly the same boat! </p>

<p>I applied on whim, figured the more privates I applied to, the better my chances of being able to afford it. They gave me an amazing package too. My EFC recently lowered--the lady in the finance office said they will probably up my grant to meet the changes! If I get into the Honors Program, which will be kind of a stretch because of my SAT scores, it will kinda seal the deal..</p>

<p>My biggest concern: It's not so much the WEALTH of the students there--it's a private school, and the reason I can afford to go their is because they paid their full way, lol--but that the students ACT wealthy. I don't want to attend a school where I have to dig and search for good hearted, kind, fun people. I've been in high school long enough...</p>

<p>My biggest attraction is how much they want me, lol. I've heard such amazing things about how much the professors care about the students. I'm from California, and though I've never spent much time in San Diego, I've yet to heard someone who doesn't love it. I'm your typical laid back, chill Cali person--and from what I've heard, that attitude is reflected there.</p>

<p>I'd LOVE to hear other input on why we should OR shouldn't attend USD!</p>

<p>My sophomore child has had supportive encounters with faculty since day 1 last year. Oh sure, there have been a couple of dud classes but overall the academic experience is positive.</p>

<p>I thought USD gave so-so aid? I'm thinking of applying here, but I'm not sure if I could pay for it.</p>

<p>Coollege--I thought so too, so I never got my hopes up. But they really surprised me! It might be because I'm a Trustee's scholar.. maybe they were a little bias?</p>

<p>My son is a sophomore there. It is an amazing city, the campus is gorgeous and well-kept, the class sizes are small...what's the drawback?</p>

<p>:)</p>

<p>I love the school.
But they don't have the science program D wants. {sigh}</p>

<p>Very high cost of attend. once you add in all the fees, books,... --pushing $52K a year, and that doesn't include costs of the January term if you choose to do it -- even a Trustee's scholarship at $17.5 still leaves almost $34K a year to cover. They met 100% of need, but the difference between our EFC and the scholarship was 100% loans, including PLUS loans. It is a beautiful campus with very nice people; I wish it had been more affordable. (They may slant their grant aid toward Catholic students, which is perfectly reasonable. I'm curious to know if Catholic families feel like they got a better financial aid package?)</p>

<p>I applied here, even though it doesn't have my major, got in. Didn't get a scholarship.
My aid package included 34,000 worth of grants. I'm not Catholic. So i think your theory is probably wrong.</p>

<p>Was your grant $34,000 a year? Or total for four years?</p>

<p>I too got the Trustee Scholarship of $17,500 a year but still have $30,000+ to cover on my own since all my financial aid was loans, which isn't actually financial aid at all...</p>

<p>the 34000 was in grants for only next year...positive..</p>

<p>Yeah but what was you EFC? You may get 34k, but I may only get 12k in grants. </p>

<p>College</a> Search - University of San Diego - USD - Cost & Financial Aid</p>

<p>College Board says USD meets about 72% of need, so not great.</p>

<p>be careful when looking at the costs. every school calculates different amounts for transportation, personal expenses and books. I think it is easier to compare schools by just looking at Tuition, Room and Meal plans. </p>

<p>D is a Freshman, ACTUAL COSTS for 2008-2009:
Tuition for full load is $34 per year
double dorm room was 8.5 per year
meal plan $2.1 per year,
misc fees .3
= $44.9</p>

<p>minus any financial aid or loans you may get</p>

<p>From D's award package for next year: $53,574 in total cost of attendance -- easily the highest priced college she looked at.</p>

<p>AS Fees $180.00<br>
Books and Supplies $1,638.00
Health Services Fee $94.00
Personal Necessities $2,250.00
Room and Board $12,602.00
Student Life Pavilion Fee $140.00
Transportation $792.00
Tuition $35,870.00
VISTA Fee $8.00
Total:<br>
$53,574.00</p>

<p>Note that this does NOT include the costs of the January term.</p>

<p>We found that even with the generous scholarship that USD would still require our family to take out very significant loans ($13K) each year above and beyond our 26K EFC-- other than the scholarship, they provided no grant aid and no workstudy.</p>

<p>I'm in the same boat as you dubblyu91!
I'm going to be visiting this week and then we'll see but yeah their financial aid was amazing!
I have an EFC of 0 and they met 100 percent need
trustee's 17500 and a USD scholarship of 16800 for a total of 34500!
on top of that I got offered work study too.</p>

<p>Ive been accepted and i really want to go to USD, but the only drawback i see is the immense cost. They gave me a loan, but that doesnt help much. im hoping i can get into NROTC or they will give a merit scholarship after i appeal it</p>

<p>What is the January term? Is it optional? How much is it?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<p>January term is called “Intercession” and goes from the first Monday in January until the end of January, and you take 1 class. Often recommended that you take a hard class, as while it is very concentrated and intense because of the short timeframe, you only have one class to concentrate on. I don’t think a lot of Freshman take Intercession, but I would guess they could if they wanted to. The regular Spring semester starts the last week of January.</p>

<p>Intercession is not included in tuition, you have to pay extra for this term. I think it costs about $4000 for one 3 credit class. My guess would be a 4 credit class would cost more, as I think the tuition is based on $/credit. You do have to pay EXTRA for housing too (think it is $800+?), even if you have a dorm room, you have to pay to live in your dorm room.</p>

<p>There is also several summer sessions, same thing, you have to pay for classes and housing.</p>