<p>I'm very interested in attending UO, but I'm from AZ, so the cost of attending would be about $40,000 a year (including dorms, books, etc). I am expecting to receive the Summit Scholarship, which would amount to $8,000 a year. Other than that, are there anything other merit-based scholarships that could help cover the cost? </p>
<p>My GPA is 4.0 unweighted/4.7 weighted
SAT 2060 (1440 M+CR)
Involved in Ecology club for 3 years, one year as an officer
In Orchestra for 4 years, one year as a historian
Most likely over 100 hours of volunteer work (not quite sure how much)
Have taken all honors for math, science, and English
AP Language - 4
AP World History - 4
AP Calculus BC
Currently taking: AP Physics, AP Literature, AP Government, AP Economics</p>
<p>I really want to be able to attend, but I'm not sure if I could afford it. I am expecting to have a job in college to cover some of the cost. I wouldn't want to be in over $100,000 in debt for UO if I could just go to ASU with practically no debt. My stepdad didn't go to college, and my mom went to college in Korea, so I have no experience with this. I don't know if I'm overestimating the debt I'll be in, but hearing all of the stories of after-graduation debt scares me. I don't trust the average debt of public schools because that would include in-state students, who will most likely leave with far less debt than out-of-state students.</p>
<p>I haven’t heard of big merit aid from UO. You are absolutely right that $100,000 is way too much debt. Don’t do it. ASU is a good option.</p>
<p>That said, it doesn’t hurt to apply and see what happens. You never know. Just make sure you get in your in-state applications too.</p>
<p>UO is a wonderful school, manju224, but I also think you are right to be adverse to graduating with debt. Debt looks so different at the point when you’re willing to take it on to go to a college you want to attend, but looks looks very different when you’re stuck with it on graduation and are trying to establish an independent life.</p>
<p>My daughter went to and graduated from UO and she was very happy to have had that opportunity, but we are in-state so it was an entirely different financial picture for her. She is now living on the east coast and working and paying her own way… but she wouldn’t be able to do that if she was also trying to pay off a huge debt. The less debt you have at graduation, the more options you will have. Don’t trade those options off for an out-of-state experience when you have a good in-state option.</p>
<p>Have you talked to your parents about how much they can contribute? Out of state tuition can work for some families, but not for all. I agree that you should go ahead and apply. You are a strong student and you won’t know for sure what aid may be available if you don’t try.</p>
<p>Don’t take on that kind of debt! Colleges now make it sound like taking on debt to attend their “prestigious” universities is simply a part of life; it isn’t! Quite frankly, that is why it now costs so much to attend almost any university, because of the easy access to student loans.</p>
<p>As for ASU, have you looked at applying to the Barrett Honors College? You probably have the grades to get in and I’m guessing that you would get a better education that being in the general population at UofO (only guessing there, since I don’t know much about Barrett other than what I’ve read on here).</p>
<p>Taking on that much debt won’t even be an option unless your parents are crazy and co-sign the loans (if they qualify every year)</p>
<p>YOU can only borrow the following amounts:</p>
<p>frosh 5500
soph 6500
jr 7500
sr 7500</p>
<p>So, you need to find out from your parents how much they’ll pay each year, and then make some decisions about where to apply.</p>
<p>With a 1440 M+CR, there are other schools that will give you MUCH larger scholarships.</p>