Will I have enough money?

Paying for College
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<p>hyperJulie,
That is a nicely balanced list. I think we all just didn't want you to put all of your eggs into one basket!! Good luck to you and I'm looking forward to hearing about your acceptances and ultimate decision later this school year.</p>

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<p>I may be wrong, but I don't think I see any schools that promise to meet your family's full financial need. If you get into any of those, you will probably have less debt than you would have for your current list of colleges. The full need schools don't care what state you live in. Their funds are based on your family's income and assets. According to the financial aid calculator (link above), if you are part of a family of 3 with an income of 30,000 a year and assets of 75,000, the family is expected to contribute $1,450 a year. You can easily be earned over the summer...This is the deal you would get in those circumstances from a school that meets full need. But if you only apply to schools that don't meet full need, you can't depend on such strong aid.</p>

<p>I didn't mean to suggest that you should not pursue OT, only that a) people who do that work and make good money are people with masters in the field, not bachelors and b) you very well might change your mind about your career goal (as most college students do) and so you might be better off looking at schools where you can fulfill B.A. level requirements for a masters in OT which also have strong financial aid. </p>

<p>And, I will reiterate what northstarmom said -- It is just not that big a deal to ship things to college. Many of them have summer storage, so a lot of your things can stay there when you come back home. </p>

<p>I have the feeling that you just don't want to travel far from home. Is that so? That's certainly a valid criteria for college.</p>

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<p>If you don't mind the distance, it might actually be CHEAPER for you to go farther away to school - if the school meets 100% of need. When they figure your cost of attendance they will include an allowance for travel, and the 100% need schools are frequently more generous with their funds (since they have big endowments, etc.) You have good stats, and, the "hook" of being a lower-income person - so you might want to add a few "reach" schools that meet 100% of need. And get your parents to fill out the financial aid calculator linked in post #17 to see how much they would be expected to pay. (And he is your dad even if he is not on the birth certificate. To say otherwise would be dishonest.)</p>

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<p>"I can't go to Columbia because I haven't taken SAT Subject Tests, plus I'm horrified of living in a big city. "</p>

<p>You still have time to take the SAT subject tests. Most of the country's most generous colleges require those. Many of those colleges are not in big ciities, so may meet your need. Your being a high achieving, low income student from an area that is underrepresented in top colleges all would be plusses for admission. Expand your options by signing up to take 3 SAT II tests.</p>

<p>"I'm intending to apply to SUNY Buffalo, Utica, also SUNY Binghamton, the lattermost of which would be solely if for financial reasons I couldn't go to a college out of town (I live a commutable distance from Binghamton). "</p>

<p>If OT is important to you, then you need to make sure that you're applying to colleges that have that major. </p>

<p>As I explained before, many students go to colleges far away from home even though their parents can't drive them there. There are many modes of transportation you could use including to get your belongings to and from college.</p>

<p>"I don't intend to go to Pennsylvania because there are scholarships I can get at New York schools that don't apply out of state."</p>

<p>While you can only use the Regents scholarships in state, there probably are private out of state colleges that would give you more than Regents would give you. You would qualify for excellent merit aid and need-based aid at some private colleges, including some extremely good ones. Virtually no public universities have the endowments to be able to meet full financial need of even their in-state students. While your in-state public schools probably have lower tuition than do private schools, by applying to private colleges that have excellent need based and/or merit aid, and where your stats, prospective major, etc. would make you very desireable, you may end up paying less out of your own pocket (i.e. through loans, jobs, etc.) going to a private school instead of a public school.</p>

<p>Ithaca is not a private school with tons of money. There are other colleges that are likely to give you better financial aid.</p>

<p>If you are first generation college, check out the Ventures Scholar website. It is for first generation college students (and URMs) who have good scores and plan to major in a math or science related field. You should qualify for their programs, which means you may qualify for scholarships and other things at a variety of colleges. Venture Scholars also provides plenty of good info about applying for scholarships and college admissions.</p>

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<p>Also check the financial aid and merit scholarship websites of colleges that offer OT. I bet that many would be delighted to get a National Merit semifinalist or finalist, and you'd have far better chances than normal of getting an excellent aid package.</p>

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<p>Because they are good schools offering OT that are NOT all that far from the NY state line.</p>

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<p>Hamilton College and Colgate University are within an hour and a half from Ithaca and both meet 100% of family need. They don't have programs in OT, but would give you a great undergrad educ in biology, etc., that would prepare you for an MA in OT.</p>

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<p>I do think the OP wants to go to an undergrad school that offers OT as a major. There is no shortage of these schools. While she might get good finaid from other schools, she has been very clear that this is a profession she is interested in. I work with OT's and getting a Bachelors in OT is a good thing. The OT students do need to do almost a full year of practicum as the fifth year of study to be licensed, but it's well worth it as there are many jobs in the field. They can work on a Masters later...and maybe even at the expense of their employers. If she really wants to be an OT, I would say going the Bachelors route is a good thing.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the information, thumper1.</p>

<p>However, it's not clear to me which is the priority for the OP:
1. Getting really strong financial aid OR
2. Getting a bachelors in OT.</p>

<p>It would be great if she could have both in a school that would shower $ on her and offer her desired program of study.</p>

<p>However, it may be that this will prove difficult. Schools that have OT programs may not be that generous with financial aid. Thus, imho, it behooves her to add some schools that will meet full need. These would give her excellent preparation for ANY career in health care or rehabilitation as well as many other areas. Those schools provide a well-rounded education in which she will discover many new areas of interest. </p>

<p>I have a friend who is a professor of OT and she regularly finds students who discover that they don't like the field as much as they thought they would. Some of those students are people right out of high school and others are people who were training for a second career. If the OP, who is now a high school senior, decides that she is instead interested in, say, research on rehabilitation after strokes or public health or cognitive psychology or computational linguistics, she would be in a stronger position had she chosen a school more because of its strong financial aid and overall profile than because of its undergrad OT program and despite less strong financial aid.</p>

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<p>The above is from the OP...It sounds like a school with an OT program is a priority.</p>

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<p>Sure.....but she may not have realized that there may be implications for financial aid. I just think it would be worth considering the trade-off she might have to make.</p>

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<p>Also, having worked with college students for many years, it is unusual to find one who does not go through some changes in terms of what career they wish to pursue. </p>

<p>College opens up possibilities for people. I've seen it a million times and, frankly, one should expect this and see it as the outcome of learning.</p>

<p>Often students change because previously they did not see themselves in some careers or even know about them. This young lady might decide to become a doctor and specialize in rehabilitation. Who knows what might happen?</p>

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<p>Well, as to how I really think I have a good insight as to what an OT does, my aunt is an OT, and I've got all of my information first hand. I've also gone to work with her and shadowed her and other related professionals. I worked with PTs and speech therapists and such, and I really found that what I liked the most of all was OT. </p>

<p>I don't remember who said it, but they were right. It is really important to me not to go very far away. For me, I've always had big social problems and I've really relied on my family as a support system. If I didn't have access to that support I quite honestly don't know what I'd do. </p>

<p>I'm entirely willing to pay off student loans if I absolutely must, I'll make that clear. My biggest concern here is if with scholarships, finaid, and even student loans if necessary, will that be enough to cover the costs of school?</p>

<p>Also, I'd like to mention now that for me, it's really important not to go to a school where I'd be having classes in huge lecture halls. I do much better in smaller classes, which is another reason why Ithaca college is so appealing to me.</p>

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<p>hyperJulie,
OT programs are NOT large at any place where they are offered. The major itself has limited numbers of students accepted into the program. Even at Ithaca, you will find some core courses where the enrollment is a bit larger. Courses that ALL freshmen have to take or core courses required for all students do sometimes have lecture hall formats, even at smaller schools. BUT be assured that your OT classes even at a huge school (like Boston University...I know you aren't interested but it's an example) have OT classes that are a reasonable size.</p>

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<p><em>nods</em></p>

<p>That's good to know, thank you.</p>

<p>Thanks so much for the advice and help guys. I'm sorry if I seem a little stubborn, because well, I am. But I'm trying to keep an open mind and you guys are really helping.</p>

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<p>Julie, I know you don't really want to go far away...but I DO think you should look at the Sargeant School at Boston University. Your stats are quite good, and you should apply for a trustee scholarship. No, you may not get it...but then again, you might. If you do, you get free tuition at BU and their OT program is really tops. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.</p>

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<p>I'll definitely ask my GC about it and see if it's a possibility.</p>

<p>My mom would probably be having a heart attack 24/7 if I went that far away though, and I really don't want to do that to her if I don't absolutely have to.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
I'm entirely willing to pay off student loans if I absolutely must, I'll make that clear. My biggest concern here is if with scholarships, finaid, and even student loans if necessary, will that be enough to cover the costs of school?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Julie -- According to US News, Ithaca meets FULL need for 52% of freshman and 44% of undergraduates (meaning they are less likely to meet full need after freshman year). If you're lucky enough to be part of the 52%/44%, there is an average loan of $5638 for Freshman and $5933 for all undergraduates. At best, you will owe somewhere in the neighborhood of $24000 when you graduate -- not ideal, but manageable.</p>

<p>However, if you're not part of the "lucky 52%/44%," the average % of need met is 88% for freshman and 86% for all undergraduates. This means that you and/or your parents will need to apply for private loans, where good credit is a necessary component. Some people do not qualify for these private loans, due to late payments on other credit (car loans, Macy's credit card, etc.). Some students have reported getting loans on their own (without parents' co-signature), but with the credit crunch and recent credit scandals, I wouldn't count on "easy money" being available. If you do qualify, and you use the 88% as a benchmark, you're looking at another $20,000 or so in loans, for a total of somewhere in the neighborhood of $44,000. At 6% interest (a good rate), it will take 10 years of $488/month payments. </p>

<p>Boston University has similar stats as it relates to financial aid. But, by applying to both, you double your chances of falling into that "lucky 52%." And, they are more generous with merit aid as well.</p>

<p>Most of the "very best" schools in the US (e.g., Columbia) meet 100% of need for every accepted student. And, while some may not have your major, sometimes it's necessary for a student to major in a related topic just to avoid $20,000, $30,000, $40,000 or more in loans. </p>

<p>Most students will significant financial need don't have the stats to qualify for these "very best" schools ... but you do. And that's why these nice people are suggesting you broaden your list a little -- you have the potential to go to college for free, if you pick the right schools. </p>

<p>Your reasons for staying close to home are admirable. But, you owe it to yourself to consider a few more options. When April rolls around, you can weigh the different options and make the choice that is best for YOU.</p>

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<p>And you don't have to think about moving many hours away to a big city. As I noted above, Hamilton College and Colgate University are about an hour and a half away and both will meet will meet full family need. I know professors who teach at both and I've been told that both are very interested in supporting students from low-income families.</p>

<p>Again, you don't have to go to either of these. But why not apply and possibly give yourself more choices? Also, it's at least possible that a strong aid offer would get another school to do more to lure you there.</p>

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<p>I'll look into those schools. I have a good site given to me by my GC that has a lot of stats on different colleges, how selective they are, etc.</p>