Hello CC,
I’m currently deciding between UC Davis and San Diego State University. Based off the financial aid package, I qualify for unsubsidized loans for both schools. My parents expected contribution is the full tuition and room and board.
This of course is a problem for me because my parents combined annual income is approximately $75,000 with about $100,000 in assets. I know it’s above average and probably a lot to many and it is a lot to me. However, with rising costs of colleges, I’m not sure if they can put out enough for my college. We have family back in Vietnam that we support ($400 /month) and my parents have been really going at each other about this for my mom wants to save money and send less to the family (because they do have a daughter who is also in America) while my dad believes it is his duty to support the family. So you can see this whole financial thing has my family on two sides.
At this point I am still waiting to hear from an Air Force ROTC scholarship which would cover full tuition. If that is the case, then financially I should be fine.
SDSU should be cheaper. CC is also a route but I’m not too fond of it. Transfers are easier but in general I’d rather take my acceptance now.
What do you guys think I should do or what I need to do? Sorry, I’m not too familiar with this financial stuff. I’m the first to attend college so it kind of has a toll on me.
Are you a CA resident? Did you qualify for the Cal Grant?
If you don’t get the 4 year AF scholarship, you could do CC and apply for a 3 year AF scholarship. The 4 year scholarships are always the hardest to get but it was easier to get either the 2 or 3 year AF scholarships. Make sure to do ROTC your freshman year so the Air Force cadre can recommend you for the 3 year scholarship.
How much can your parents pay each year for 4 years?
I guess your assets are too high for Cal grant.
However I think you should get the MCS if it is available it may give a few thousand and I think it gets put in your account nearer the start of school. I would call the CSAC and explore MCS and Blue and Gold promise before you make a final decision. Also I’d call Davis.
http://www.csac.ca.gov/mcs.asp
Under Blue and Gold your tuition should be covered at UC, but you may have the same asset issue as cal grant.
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-uc/glossary/blue-and-gold/
Can you work summer? That should gain you 2k. Maybe a short hours p/t in school. What is your intended major? Some depts have scholarships you can apply to.
Also there are ways to save money on book, travel, rent…It is really only about 6k difference, is that right?
Sorry it is causing family discord. In the end if you can’t afford it you can’t afford it. When will you know about ROTC? Before you have to SIR?
Also, all NJ publics are tuition-free to NJ National Guard.
It’s on the other side of the country but just wanted to throw that out there.
What are your stats? GPA/SAT
@BrownParent @BobWallace @dadoftwingirls Unfortunately I did not get the scholarship. I got into both as an electrical engineer. I am getting a summer job and trying to apply for other scholarships. I’m definitely doing ROTC regardless of scholarship because my main goal is to be an RPA pilot in the Air Force so in terms of prestige, it shouldn’t matter much assuming everything pulls through.
I’m trying my best to talk with Davis and possible scholarships at SDSU. Thanks so much for the help guys.
I have 3.85UW & 29 ACT. 4.2W
Apply again for an ROTC scholarship. Odds are the better than the 4 year.