Notre Dame Vs Santa Clara

hafamama · April 2018

@Sylvestor As noted by @FrozenNorth and @thumper1, it seems that you've got a favorite. Now, you want validation from this board to support your decision. Frankly, it sounds like you want someone to tell you that it's okay to choose one school that literally costs twice as much as another school, while at the same time you profess you don't want to be a burden financially. I'm glad that your mom supports you. That's what moms are for, and as a mother, I know how much I want to give to my child. But here is the reality: what your family pays to ND for tuition/fees is gone. Period. What your family does not pay to SCU is money they get to keep, and use for other things.
Yes, it's hard letting go of your dream, but a mature decision has to be made.
Yes, being a grown up stinks sometimes. (A lot of times.)
Best wishes on your decision.

Sylvestor · April 2018

@hafamama - You are both right and wrong. You are right - I have come to realize I do favor Notre Dame because of the culture and it being better all around academically. You are at least half wrong on the money and me making mature decisions. I am quite sure I got a good sense of what mature decisions look like when my twin sister endured brain cancer treatments, only to come out and now have a new tumor - from her cancer treatments.

As for the money, this forum as well as working with various financial aid offices and calculators have given me a better sense of what a minefield financial aid can be. For my situation, Santa Clara and a full tuition merit scholarship are known and I am pretty much in control of the outcome - if I maintain a 3.5 GPA, I will pay for room, board, books and personal expenses.

Notre Dame is financial aid and while generous, less than Santa Clara. Notre Dame's aid is dependent on my sister attending a four year college - or not - and my Mom's income. Freshman and sophomore year numbers are set for income. Junior and Senior numbers are not.

My sister's situation is volatile. Should she attend college, I get more financial aid at Notre Dame. If I attend Santa Clara, she gets less financial aid. While it is not a direct offset, her aid will be lowed if I attend Santa Clara.

If my sister does not attend college but is stable, Santa Clara is better for me financially. If she does not attend college and requires additional treatment and my Mom needs to quit work to care for her, since Notre Dame is financial aid, I could potentially get everything paid - except about $10,000 in subsided loans - junior and senior years.

If my sister is sick, Santa Clara is a lot closer to home.

My situation is simply too complex for a forum.

I do know I favor Notre Dame.

I do know I have a lot to think about.

As my Mom said, I can analyze things, run what-ifs, try to quantify all the variables, but not everything is always about money. Some outcomes are simply not in my control.

I still do not know what I am going to do but know I will make the best decision I can with the information I have by May 1.

Thank you all for your input.

hafamama · April 2018

@Sylvestor Your last post included much more information about your financial situation than you'd shared in the past. I did not intend to be mean -- I was basing my comments on what you had posted previously. And what I had read showed a focus on notions of not being challenged enough and SCU being too easy, in contrast to the more engaged students and intellectual challenge at ND. Clearly, I did not have the entire picture. Please forgive me if I gave the impression that you were not making a mature decision. Your post reveals that have thought through the implications of your family's situation, and how finances and other reasons will affect financial aid and both you and your sister's college plans.
You have all the information you need, and will make the decision that is right for you. I wish you the best, and extend prayers to your family and your sister.

thumper1 · April 2018

If I attend Santa Clara, she gets less financial aid. While it is not a direct offset, her aid will be lowed if I attend Santa Clara.

This is NOT absolutely true! Your sister would only get less need based aid IF her school met full need to begin with. If her college does not meet full need, it’s very possible her aid would not change...at all.

And if she gets merit aid, it doesn’t matter WHERE you go to college.

mommdc · April 2018

Maybe you and your sister should go to a local school, close to home.

momcinco · April 2018

Sylvestor, thanks for sharing so much about your family's situation, and your thoughts about your big decision. You had mentioned your sister's brain cancer earlier, and now you have really laid out all the factors. The only thing I would point to is that for need-based aid only your freshman year aid is set. Unless I am mistaken I believe that the current tax year (2018) will determine your aid for sophomore year. Perhaps someone else can confirm this.

Did you get a straight answer from ND about medical expenses?

I know that I have run multiple scenarios thru net price calcs. Print them out cause it gets confusing.

Sending best wishes to your family, and hoping for lots of support. And congrats again on two amazing options.

thumper1 · April 2018

For 2018-2019 the 2016 tax year is used.

For 2019-2020 the 2017 tax year is used.

For 2020-2021 the 2018 tax year is used.

For 2021-2022 the 2019 tax year is used.

@momcinco

momcinco · April 2018

Thanks thumper1 - I had hoped you would clarify

Notre Dame Vs Santa Clara

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