<p>Hey everyone! So I've narrowed the top two school and it's either going to be University of Alabama or West Virginia University. I've really been thinking but I can't decide. Alabama is going to cost $35,000 a year and West Virginia is going to cost $22,000. Also I plan on studying psychology. So right now I'm favoring West Virginia because of the price but I also like Alabama as well and it seems Alabama is higher ranked. But what do you guys think would be the better option? Is it worth the price difference and which one would be better for studying psychology? Thanks everyone!</p>
<p>For psych you’ll probably need an advanced degree. Keep costs low. Go to WVU</p>
<p>Yes, go to WVU to keep costs down. Then you can choose a higher ranked school for your advanced degree.</p>
<p>You goto West Virginia to party not to study. What other colleges were you accepted to ?</p>
<p>^ Hmm, I wonder if some of these graduates would agree with you xtreme? [Academy</a> of Distinguished Alumni | Alumni | West Virginia University](<a href=“Home | Alumni Association | West Virginia University”>Home | Alumni Association | West Virginia University)</p>
<p>Neither school is affordable if you have to take out extra loans to pay for these schools. However, if your parents are happily paying the uncovered costs, then fine.</p>
<p>What are your parents saying? How much will they pay?</p>
<p>How would you pay the $22k for UWV or the other cost for Bama?</p>
<p>Are you instate for UWV? If not, where else did you apply and get accepted? How much do those schools cost?</p>
<p>The other colleges I have been accepted to are Coastal Carolina and K-State. I thought about going to tech and then transferring to USC which is local (I live in SC). But my family situation is not good and Im so ready to get out of SC. That’s why I applied to so many out of state. I also applied to WVU to party so thats part of the reason. Right now for cost it’s pretty much all on me. My parents have no idea about paying for college. So it’s been really stressful. Or I thought about going to WVU for a year or so then transfer to USC or somewhere in state or moving and establishing residency in a state. But what do you guys think? Thanks for all the help!</p>
<p>
Let’s start with the last part first. You won’t be able to move and establish residency. Residency comes from your parents until you are independent which requires being 24, in the military, or having a dependent (married or child). You should look in-state or to an OOS school that your parents can afford. You need to talk to them about the costs.</p>
<p>You can’t establish residency for tuition purposes unless your parents move too. Your residency for tuition purposes is based on where your parents are paying taxes</p>
<p>Since paying for college is “all on you,” those choices aren’t affordable since you can’t borrow that much. You were poorly advised. You were focused on going OOS, but no one told you that you wouldn’t have the means to pay. You should have applied to more instate schools…especially ones that might have given you merit for your stats.</p>
<p>What is your EFC?</p>
<p>You can only borrow the following amounts by yourself (to borrow more would require willing and qualified cosigners every year.)</p>
<p>5500 frosh
6500 soph
7500 jr and sr years</p>
<p>So, now you’re going to have to figure out what schools (likely a local public or CC) you can afford with those loans and earnings from a summer job.</p>
<p>^^^ or you can consider taking a year off, and applying fir fall 2014. If you don’t take any classes at all, you would still be able to apply as a freshman, and your financial aid might be better.</p>
<p>wvu is fantastic with undergraduate scholarships i have almost my full tuition covered, and anyone who says its just a party school is an idiot. as far as switching residence im 19 and im doing it next year from PA to WV, so dont listen to those people who say you cant</p>
<p>OP are you thinking of studying psychology due to family situation and wanting to figure out personalities and life? </p>
<p>You need to look for a path to get to your goals.</p>
<p>The post about UWV wanting to go and party…the feasibility of $22K with your circumstances seems like a financial hurdle.</p>
<p>Physically moving away or psychologically distancing yourself. Maybe you need to see how you can better cope.</p>
<p>Look at low cost options, because with psychology you would need an advanced degree. You have some local options which would keep costs down by commuting. Also once you start taking classes you may gain more direction.</p>
<p>@nlward - How are you establishing residency? Sounds like you have much covered by scholarships, does that mean you aren’t filing FAFSA? I thought FAFSA and Parent info all tied to state residency.</p>
<p>Not trying to hijack thread, but I am helping an 11th grade student explore options. Bad home life, no parent support, if establishing residency somewhere is an option, it may be the lifeline the student I am helping needs.</p>
<p>FAFSA doesn’t have anything to do with state residency.</p>
<p>this thread is a year old.</p>
<p>longhaul, each state has its own rules about establishing residency. Some (like California) make it nearly impossible to establish. Others, especially smaller states that want to attract young people, do make it possible to become a resident after a year or more. Also, individual public universities sometimes have more generous rules, and some will offer in-state pricing to certain out-of-state students even though they do not become residents. For example, Eastern Illinois University offers instate rates to residents of any state that borders Illinois. The University of Illinois does not. You usually have to research this one school at a time – start with states that border yours.</p>
<p>@Longhaul</p>
<p>Utah is pretty generous with rules on establishing residency.</p>
<p><a href=“http://admissions.utah.edu/apply/residency/”>http://admissions.utah.edu/apply/residency/</a></p>
<p>Another possibility might be one of the exchange agreements e.g. WUE or similar.</p>
<p><a href=“Save On College Tuition | Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)”>http://www.wiche.edu/wue</a></p>
<p>Thank You All. </p>