<p>I am a current high school senior in Maine. I am currently enrolled at the University of Maine (at Orono). However, I have been accepted to all my schools, including Northeastern and BU. I am beginning to regret my enrollment, and am reconsidering. Northeastern was my top choice over all the others by far. I was offered $12k/year in scholarships, and my parents will offer another additional $12k/year. I am not yet aware of my financial aid offerings, but can update you guys when I receive it (I only qualify for loans though, no federal grants).</p>
<p>The only reason I chose UMO at all was to avoid a lot of debt. Besides that it was my last choice. Using estimates right now, it looks like I would owe about $20,000 after obtaining a 4-year degree from UMO. If I attended Northeastern for four years, I would owe over $100,000. Is it possible? Is it worth it?</p>
<p>I absolutely loved everything about Northeastern, and the only thing stopping me is the debt. I am planning on majoring in Computer Science. Give me your input, please!</p>
<p>I have the same dilemna, but what is keeping me inclined towards Northeastern is their co-op program. I think they are paid internships, so that way you could help pay college with your salaries. Again, I’m not completely sure they are all paid and I don’t know how much; I still have to research that, but if so, that should help our financial situations out quite a bit.</p>
<p>Yeah, except I see myself using most of that money just for living expenses. But it would depend on how well it pays, I suppose.</p>
<p>The main reason I don’t want to go to my state school is because I would feel like I’ve wasted my four years of high school trying so hard, being in the same classes with people who got C’s and D’s. I get academic scholarships to schools like BU and NEU, but I might still end up at a state school? Doesn’t seem too awesome to me. </p>
<p>There’s many many ongoing threads discussing debt. 100K vs 20K is a HUGE difference. Go explore some other forums here on this site and read those threads.</p>
<p>$100,000 is way, way too much to borrow. Your monthly payments will be more than $1,000.</p>
<p>I will likely be joining you at UMaine in the fall (albeit as a graduate student). Is it the “dream school” I started out with? No, and I got accepted to places like Mizzou, Indiana and SUNY-ESF - but Maine offered me a full-ride teaching assistantship, which means I can get my master’s degree without borrowing a dime. That makes Orono a no-brainer.</p>
<p>Financial freedom trumps a “dream” any day.</p>
<p>Yeah, you’re probably right if I can’t get any more money out of NEU. I e-mailed a financial advisor in hopes of some sort of additional help, so we’ll see. Just waiting on a response, this is probably my last effort</p>