I am having a hard time deciding between which school to go to so I can complete my undergrad. I will be graduating with my AA alongside my high school diploma, so I should be able get my bachelors in less than 4 years. I am a psychology major that plans on being a physician assistant. Overall, I prefer UF. Better academics, more opportunities, better social life, and also I love that it’s located in a college town. However, UCF is offering me a scholarship that’s $3,500 a year. The only thing that appeals to me about UCF is the campus is relatively new and nice and that it’s located close to theme parks lol. I wouldn’t mind going to UCF but I would much rather prefer UF. I hear due to the large population of students at UCF it is very difficult to graduate in 4 years because classes full up fast. I feel like this would cause me to end up doing 3 years instead of 2 years at UCF. Whereas at UF it would be easier for me to graduate in 2 years. Money is a big issue for me though because I have no money saved up for college and my parents have a pretty low-income and won’t be able to fund much (if any) of my education. So in sum, is UF worth the extra $7000 in debt?
Forgot to add… I don’t really plan on using my bachelor’s degree. It’s just needed to get into physician assistant school
@enriched98 did you qualify for Bright Futures? That would help bring down the cost at UF.
yes I do, I have the highest level
@enriched98 so you’ve obviously then factored in the Bright Futures to the cost difference between UF and UCF. What about FRAG,FGMG, FSAG? Can any of those scholarships and grants help bring the cost down for you?
I’ve never heard of those grants but UF posted my financial aid and I get $10,228 in grants and the rest of my COA is in loans, which is $11,032. I got the pell grant, Florida assistance grant, Douglas turner grant, and bright futures. UCF hasn’t posted my financial aid yet.
The FGMG is First Generation Matching Grant and FSAG is Florida Student Assistance Grant. Information for both of them can be found on the Florida Student Scholarships and Grant Programs website.
I’m all for attending a “dream school” but student loan debt is nothing to be taken lightly. Speaking from experience it is so difficult to get out from underneath and can take decades to pay off. In the end you are the best judge as to whether the extra cost balances out the perks and advantages you perceive UF providing.
If you are transferring in with an AA then you might be given credit for the basic classes that fill up so quickly due to everyone be required to take them. If that is the case you won’t encounter difficulty and will be able to graduate in your desired timeframe.
If you’re an honors student at UCF (which is automatic if you have certain scholarships), you get first pick of classes. I graduated with my bachelor’s there in three and a half years. I know that UCF also offers Bright Futures. The psychology program at UCF isn’t bad either. I can’t speak for UF but I liked UCF.
Did you get honors at UCF?
You can reduce COA by not going out, choosing the cheapest dorm and lower meal plan, renting books or buying them used.
If you have your AA when you graduate and credits match, will you get advanced standing (for priority registration) and would you be able to finish your UF degree in 5-6 semesters? In that case, I’d pick UF.