<p>That adds up to $45,695. So I'm going to need $2,325 to cover that.</p>
<p>Then I also have "books and personal" which is estimated at $3,495 (but I think that's a little modest), and "travel" which is estimated at $900. Since I live on the west coast, I think the travel will be closer to about $1500 (3 roundtrip flights?). So with those added, I have $7,320 I need in student loans.</p>
<p>But also I'm going to need money for medical insurance and other fees right?</p>
<p>How much should I be requesting for in student loans? And how do they give you student loans? Like is it a check or do you have an account that is billed or... I have no idea actually haha.</p>
<p>Does "grants" include summer and term time employment? You can count on making at least $2,000 from each of those (probably more for the summer job). $3,495 for books and personal is really generous. Even if you buy books from Labyrinth (the campus bookstore), you probably won't spend more than $600 per semester. That leaves you with upwards of two grand for personal expenses. I guess you could spend it on clothes and late night snacks and weekends in New York, but that's still a lot of money to blow through in nine months. Also you don't have to go home three times. If you stay on campus for fall and spring break (plenty of Internationals and West Coasters do this), you can save around $1000 and only spend two weeks less at home. I thought medical insurance was covered for those on FA, but I could be wrong. </p>
<p>You got a pretty generous aid package. Are your parents still unable to cover the difference without taking out loans? Have you talked to the FA Office about your situation? If it's at all possible for you to avoid loans, you should. Especially if you don't plan on going into a lucrative field after you graduate, loans can be a big stone around your neck.</p>
<p>Thanks for that information, Weasel: I'm very glad to know personal expenses/books is overestimated and that health insurance is potentially covered.</p>
<p>No, grants do not include employment. I got a pretty mediocre package in my opinion, since my parents are not able to pay at all (trust me, not a penny). </p>
<p>Thanks a lot for the information Weasel, but I am definitely taking out student loans. =/</p>
<p>I plan on coming home for the summer, fall, winter, and spring breaks so yeah.. Have a girlfriend here that I have to visit haha.</p>
<p>My daughter during her first two semesters got almost all of her books from the library. She didn't meet others who did this. I don't think she spent more than $200 in books and supplies for the year. Personal expenses couldn't have added up to $1000. The travel budget, on the other hand, could use some updating.
The bottom line is that your summer savings and campus work should suffice if you have the discipline.
If you don't, borrow away. It's your choice.</p>