<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>So I have been accepted to IIT (Illinois Institute of Technology, Chemical Engineering) and NIU (Northern Illinois University, Electrilcal Engineering with an emphasis in Biomedical Engineering) for Spring 15'. I have also applied to UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago, Chemical Engineering) but have not yet heard back.</p>
<p>I am a non traditional student (26), who had a rough go at college my first time around but will finish at my local CC with a 3.3 GPA (if everything stays the same). </p>
<p>My question is, I really want to go to school for Chemical Engineering but IIT has about a $10k difference between my financial aid and the cost of attendance and I am assuming NIU will be much cheaper although I have not yet received a financial aid package as of yet from them. My employer will pay about $6k of my tuition per year, leaving me with $4k out of pocket which is definitely manageable (although I have been working 30 hours a week and am not sure if this will be doable once I transfer). I really have no interest in Electrical Engineering but the Biomedical emphasis peaks my interest. </p>
<p>So, is it worth going to IIT to pursue the Chemical Engineering knowing I will be depending on work to pay $6k of my tuition and continue to work 30 hours per week or just bite the bullet and go to NIU which will most likely be much cheaper leaving me with less worry about having to change jobs if need be.</p>
<p>I live on my own and pay my own rent, utilities, etc so I need to work to at least pay for that stuff and I refuse to take out private loans after reading the horror stories associated with them. I personally think 30 hours a week is manageable but that is from my limited experience while working and going to a community college. Scheduling classes around my work schedule will be a whole different story since I can only take 3 weekdays off per week but we will leave that for a different discussion haha.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for your help and input!</p>