What do I do?

Paying for College
1

<p>Mom makes about $25,000; I don't even know how we live in this city. She said she can't really afford to pay anything. Dad and stepmom live in South Carolina, make about $90,000 each (wow a lot but dad always makes it sounds like they're struggling), but as far as I know, dad won't pay anything. I never knew either that my dad's money was considered just as much as my mom's, or that he wouldn't want to pay, even when applying to schools.</p>

<p>Fortunately, UC uses only FAFSA which requests only my mom's info (if I made a mistake and I'm supposed to give dad's I have no clue what I'll do). UCLA gave me a lot of need-based and merit aid, so I could probably pay for it myself without much debt.</p>

<p>I also got into basically my dream school, Cornell. I'm hoping for the best when I receive finaid very soon, but Rochester gave me no real aid other than a merit scholarship, so this isn't looking good...</p>

<p>I'm trying to stay positive because UCLA is great other than being twice the size, but after losing so much sleep and not spending enough time with my friends, I don't even feel like a better person. Now I'm just more sleep deprived and less socially skilled than my friends who are going to LA or Berkeley after constantly slacking.</p>

<p>If dad really won't pay when he can, I'll try to talk with him about it, but if he still doesn't, would Cornell understand? Could I call, or visit and talk face to face along with my mom?</p>

<p>I guess this is just another depressing story of being unable to afford the private school you worked for...</p>

2

<p>Sorry, but Cornell won't care. Otherwise everyone would say their Dad won't pay. </p>

<p>There is a big difference between "can't" and "won't".</p>

3

<p>In the last century I was a graduate student at Cornell. One of my California friends there spent all of his winter clothing budget on jackets, hat, and gloves that barely got him through October. By the time winter hit in November, he really had to struggle to come up with the cash to pay for REAL winter weather clothing. Do not underestimate the effect of a Cornell winter on your budget. There is a lot, and I do mean A LOT of snow, it gets really cold there, and winter lasts from November through March.</p>

<p>In your situation, my advice would be to do your undergraduate work in California. Cornell will still be there when you go to grad school, and by then maybe you'll have the money for the snow gear.</p>

4

<p>And don't discount the costs (and hassles) of traveling from California to Ithaca.</p>

5

<p>Ya.. I guess if I can't do it then I just shouldn't go. Didn't think about winter clothing.</p>

<p>Thank you</p>