Hi. I’m almost a sophomore in high school, but I’m already really concerned about college. I want to go into computer science, but all the top notch schools are way out of budget. My parents are not going to pay upwards of $60,0000 a year for me to go to college, especially with three siblings. I know I won’t be receiving any financial aid, and I’d take on loans as a last resort. Anyone got any tips on how to figure this out?
You should have no trouble getting a good software job attending your state school. Expect to take standard (non-parent) loans. If you have siblings simultaneously in college you may get FA.
Read the Financial aid 101/FAQ at the top of the forum. You will have to look for schools that are affordable. It isn’t a new problem. Don’t be too sure you won’t get aid until your parents run a calculator on a few schools. Find out how much your parent can and will pay so you know ahead and can plan and not fool yourself. Look for colleges that award generous merit, you may not have heard of many of them but that doesn’t matter much. Fortunately CS is an area where there is a rich deep wealth of good colleges.
If you don’t have ‘Need’ according to the calculators then the chance of getting enough scholarships is slim. Look up the bio for @CourtneyThurston if you want a role model for someone who did get a lot and see what she did.
In addition to the aforementioned advice, make sure you have summer jobs to contribute to your cost of education.
What state do you live in?
YOU will not be able to take loans for large amounts to pay for school.
You’ll be able to borrow:
5500 frosh
6500 soph
7500 jr
7500 sr
To borrow more would require parents to cosign, which most parents won’t do, especially with other children to put thru college.
It sounds like you will have an unaffordable EFC.
You’ll need to get the best grades and best SAT/ACT scores in order to qualify for huge merit scholarships from the SCHOOLS that give them.
Ask your parents how much they CAN pay each year towards college.