Stevens or Binghamton? Help me decide please!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have narrowed my college decision down to Binghamton and Stevens Institute of Technology and am having trouble deciding which one to go to.
I live in southern NY, which puts me about 2 1/2 hours away from Bing and 1 1/2 away from Stevens. I plan on majoring in computer science and also playing the saxophone in music ensembles at either college.
I really like both schools, but liked Stevens a little better. It is my financial situation that is preventing me from deciding. With all of the scholarships I got from Stevens, the total cost is down to $33,000. I didn't get any scholarships from Bing, so that cost is about $23,000. I qualified for the $5500 federal direct unsubsidized loan at each school. Next year my brother will also be in college, so my EFC will be cut in half and I will qualify for more aid. I only have $3000 in my 529 savings plan and will probably get a few thousand dollars in scholarships from my school. I will definitely have to take out thousands of dollars in private student loans over the course of my college years.
I know Bing is cheaper, but Stevens has the co-op program and is regarded as a "better" university. Which one do you think I should choose? </p>

<p>Also, does anyone have any information to offer about private student loans?</p>

<p>I would really appreciate any help, advice, or info I could get about these schools or loans, as I'm really in a bind. Thank you!</p>

2

<p>

Since neither of those schools meet need that is probably irrelevant. I doubt you’ll see any difference in what you receive.

This is HIGHLY inadvisable. Are your parents going to pay for any of this? What about a CUNY?</p>

3

<p>Erin’s Dad,
Both colleges have told me that I would qualify for work study with the new EFC next year and that I might qualify for the Perkins Loan. Also, I visited a few CUNY’s and didn’t like them. I have no choice but to take out loans, that’s why I’m asking for info about them.</p>

4

<p>Your parents would need to take out the loans themselves or cosign for you.</p>

5

<p>My parents are going to cosign for me but they will expect me to pay them off.</p>

6

<p>I wouldn’t do it.</p>