<p>*I just want to add that I don’t want to be seen as denigrating the value of a public education *</p>
<p>I don’t think you were denigrating public U’s. I think you rightfully were questioning the logic of borrowing that much money for any school…and especially an OOS public, which aren’t usually better than what a person has in his own state for a lesser amount. It’s always doubtful that the person can’t get a good education at his own public U. People forget how hard it is to pay these big loans back. </p>
<p>A newish grad with big debt is very likely going to look back at his choice of attending a “too expensive” school with big regret knowing that the same education could have been had for little or no debt. </p>
<p>I think a lot of us really like public universities, but rarely do any of us think that taking out large loans is worth it (for the OOS public or any private).</p>
<p>But, you’re right…no school is worth that much debt. Not even an ivy.</p>
<p>I was multiplying that by 2 semesters – but it occurs to me that maybe Oregon is on a quarter system and it has to be multiplied by 3? Even so, that would be something of a savings off of the full cost for most private colleges – (I think my d’s alma mater is at least $35K tuition for the coming year, thankfully its something I don’t need to know any more). I don’t think an OOS public at that cost as compared to a top-20 university would necessary be such a good option, but for a full-pay student who doesn’t have the stats to get into a very top private, it might be a very good deal. I mean, tuition at Willamette is $35K+ annually – so UO would be a $10K+ savings for the hypothetical full pay family. </p>
<p>But again – no college is worth borrowing the amounts that OP is talking about.</p>
That’s definitely true comparing California to Oregon – it may not be true in every state, but it doesn’t make much sense for a California resident to cross state lines to pay significantly higher costs for the equivalent in a neighboring state, even with the current state budget problems.</p>
<p>“We aren’t needy enough to get a lot financial aid, she’s not a minority, and no one will lend to her without a cosigner”</p>
<p>Being a “minority” doesn’t get you any more financial aid. That’s a myth. If you have money trouble an out of state public is not the right choice. Many families across the country are in the same predicament. Unfortunately, you’ll have to explain the facts of financial life to your daughter, perhaps the local Community College will work until you straighten things out. Sounds like you lack information and needed to be here on CC a year or two ago</p>
Call up the in-state schools (CSUs and UCs) to which she was accepted and ASK. </p>
<p>If they say “no,” she can attend a California community college for a year and apply to CSUs and UCs as a transer (California Community College transfers have priority admission at all CSUs and UCs) or take a gap year and re-apply as a freshman next year.</p>
<p>@alememom - actually, community college and transfer to CSU/UC would have to be a <em>2</em> year plan.</p>
<p>CSUs and UCs are not taking lower-division transfer students. (Also most campuses are closed to mid-year/spring transfers as well.) Transfer students MUST have 60 semester credits to transfer and that generally takes two full years to complete.</p>
<p>I think two years at community college followed by transfer is the smartest choice these days for students who can not afford or find it a stretch to afford college.</p>
<p>If the student is very much against the idea of gong to a CC for 2 years and then transferring to a UC, then the student needs to take a gap year. </p>
<p>If the student takes a gap year and reapplies to some carefully picked schools, then the student could get a merit scholarship at the schools that give them. (I’m guessing that the D has high stats, since the dad made a point of mentioning how hard she worked, etc). </p>
<p>However, if she takes any CC classes, then she’ll ruin her chances for any good merit scholarships…if that’s a goal.</p>
<p>@annikasorrenson: Students absolutely may apply for UC/CSU admission with fewer that 60 semester credits. *Admissions priority *is given to those who have completed IGETC, but every year thousands of lower-division transfer students enter UCs and CSUs. (You do need to check each CSU campus for their specifications, though, because a few of them are not currently considering lower-division transfers, but the majority of the 23 campuses do.)</p>
<p>This information is especially important for students who have significant AP credit. Most community colleges do not grant credit for AP classes, but the UCs and CSUs do. Students with AP credits should plan carefully to take the courses they NEED at a community college by finding out how their existing AP credit will be applied at the various UCs and CSUs to which they plan to apply. A student who has passed 7 or 8 APs with scores of 3, 4 or 5 SHOULD be planning to transfer after one year, or they will be duplicating credit.</p>
<p>Actually, I think both you and your daughter will someday breathe a sigh of relief and lift grateful praises to the diety of your chosing for her having ended up not taking those loans.</p>
<p>I second, third, fourth and fifth the opinions here that 29,000 of debt for JUST THE FIRST YEAR is pretty much a fiscal tragedy that she will regret for eternity or until the loan is paid off, and there’s no guarantee which of those would happen first. </p>
<p>Analyze how good her scholarships would be for in state if she took a gap year, compare that to savings of going to CC first, and go from there. I think she dodged a bullet, personally.</p>
<p>We will qualify for no federal need aid, and d is going to apply to a couple of private and out of school public schools simply because they have the program she really wants - so it’s going to be all about merit scholarships and all of us working our butts off and economizing - but - if it ends up that the only way for her to attend is big loans - she knows, no. Those would close the doors of opportunity for her that she went to school to open. Thank heavens there are at least a few financial safeties in state that have acceptable programs for her.</p>
<p>I might very reluctantly if all resources have been exhausted, permit a few small loans here and there, but I would even rather have her take a semester off and stay home to work and earn money and get a second job myself than have her graduate with a loan any bigger than one would need to buy a gently used car. Under five digits, I am talking here, or not over by much.</p>