D is currently at Catholic High School although religion not a huge part of her life. Not sure what she wants to be in life, but can see herself in the business side of tv/film. But has never picked up a camera in her life…likes Netflix. 
She received a 60% scholarhip to Providence Biz school and $15K to Syracue…dual major Whitman School of Buisiness and Newhouse School of Communications. No finaicial aid to either. I feel like we are poor as we live in the NYC metor area. 
Is Syracuse worth the $60K more it would cost over the four years? I told her we would spilt the $60K difference and both take $30k loans for Syracuse, if she is 100% passionate about that program… I have Providence covered 100% in a 529, but have two more kids behind her. My gut says Providence, but she wants Syracue…
Why do you feel “poor” because you live in the NYC metro area? It ranges from very poor (my area) to some of the top zip codes in the country (Saddle River, Tuxedo Park).
Anyway, I would choose Providence. It’s best to avoid loans, especially with other children!
Providence 100%.
My daughter is a junior in the Whitman Newhouse dual program at Cuse. She loves it and will be working in NYC this summer. She believes the dual gives her a big advantage in interviews and all her dual friends have internships or are starting good jobs. The big caveat is that 151 credits are needed for the dual. My daughter had a semester of AP and CLEP credits and SU is terrific allowing community college and other college transfer credits. These can be pretty inexpensive ways to gain credits at Cuse.
On the other hand, Providence is a great school. My son graduated from an honors program at a Jesuit peer school two years ago and has a great job. He received a wonderful education. Cuse is very job and career oriented. My son’s school was all about the education so he really had to put a lot of effort into finding that first job. He is a business major and now working with a great second company.
Fortunately both my kids picked the right school. My son’s classes averaged 18 or fewer students and his largest lecture was 35, except for his semester in Auckland. My daughter had some larger lectures, but would sit in the front of the class and thrived. She will be studying in Florence later this year.
May be a good idea to miss some school and work and revisit each campus. My son did this as he was all set for the state flagship but realized in April that the smaller Jesuit school is where he belonged. It was the right choice for him and we are so glad he made those additional final visits to his top two choices.
Your daughter has two great choices and cannot go wrong with either one. Both schools will offer a great but a bit different education. I do hate debt and both my kids had merit aid and were fortunate in avoiding it. Good luck to you and your daughter in your college decision.
Rather than amount of scholarship, can you list, for each university,
- cost of tuition+fees+room+ board =
- amount set aside in savings for that child (not all children, so that all have a fair share)
- amount you can contribute from current income.
-If several kids are in college at the same time does that change anything on fafsa. If not, can you handle costs for two kids or will child 1 have to leave the more expensive school ?
Providence
Cost of attendance year one would be Syracuse $45K and Providence $33k. The Providence scholarship is a percentage, so the amount will increase as tuition increases. I feel “poor” living in metro area because the efc, in my opinion, isn’t what FAFSA says it is…cost of living of where you live is not factored in.
Do you have to go in debt for syracuse?
Oh, okay. I understand! The EFCs can be unreasonably high sometimes.
I’d choose Providence.
She will graduate $27K in in loans with Syracuse
The difference is $60k. No way Syracuse is worth it.
I would not take out $60k in loans to go to Syracuse over Providence.
@funfatdaddy …when you say your daughter is working in NYC this summer, is this a paid internship or free? Did she get it thought the school? Do you mind if I ask if it is a business or communications internship?
@paparent106…Yes. This is a paid internship through the business school. There are a lot of communications opportunities as well. My daughter is leaning more towards the business opportunities as the starting salaries are normally much higher. She chose Syracuse because of Newhouse but has made a number of terrific contacts through Whitman, i.e. a small luncheon with faculty members and a well known CEO (she sat next to), a business mentor, numerous interviews with inhouse corporate recruiters and hiring managers. SU is very much about career opportunities.
Your daughter has two great choices and really can’t go wrong. Good luck to you and your daughter with your decision.
@paparwnt106…I just read the prior posts and agree that 60k in loans is too much. My older son chose a school very much like Providence, graduated debt free, and is doing great! My daughter is an extrovert and SU fits her well. My son was a bit more reserved and blossomed at a smaller school. I am a big believer in academic fit. Hoping all works out for the best for you and your daughter.
Again, both are great schools.
Would your daughter consider starting at Providence and transferring later to Syracuse if she still wants to? Walking away from a school that is completely paid for to go to one where you have to go into debt is a tough sell for me. I was a transfer student myself in college and faced no difficulties in doing that or delays to getting my degree on time. This can be a good learning experience for your daughter, using the pragmatic choice first to prepare for the dream choice later! With two more educations to pay for as well, can you face equal responsibilities for them? As in, $180k of total debt if they each received the same amount as Syracuse for your daughter.