I was accepted to Embry-Riddle for the Engineering and Physics program.
The cost of tuition is approx. $32,000.
They are offering me a $7,500 annual scholarship. (PTK and Florida Access)
I will also receive a pell grant for $5,775.
I believe the maximum limit for an independent Junior loan is $12,500. (Am I correct on this?)
This leaves me with approx $6,500 to pay out of pocket.
Is there anything I am missing that can help me pay for the remaining cost?
that is just tuition. What about books and fees and your living expenses…where will you be living? What will be paying for your living expenses, cell phone, transportation, etc?
Do you have a job
Thanks for your response.
Yes, I understand. That is the tuition and fees are included in that price.
However, I will not be buying books. I have never bought a book my entire college career. All books can be found in the library, and if not found, can easily ask professors to provide a book at the library.
I have a government issued cell phone which is free. I don’t own a car, however. I ride my bike everywhere. And, I found an apartment 5 min bike ride from the university 
I have a job at the moment and enough money to pay for 1 years rent, so it should give me plenty of time to settle in and find another job.
What I am worried about is covering the cost of tuition and fees
How much loan burden do you already have? How will you cover the remainder?
The Florida access grant is $3000. You should also be eligible for a Florida state need grant if you are getting Pell. Did you graduate from a Florida high school? Did you get a Bright Futures award?
So it looks like the PTK grant is $4500 (that’s from transferring from a c.c., right?)
None of this money is from Embry. Are you eligible for any of its scholarships?
Maybe @courtneythurston has a suggestion.
I have $12,000 in loans. I don’t understand your second question.
Yes, the Florida access grant is $3000.
I’m getting Pell, but I have not heard about the Florida state need grant.
I did not graduate from a high school in FL. I got my GED 3 years ago at a GED center in FL.
The PTK grant is $3,500, and that’s from transferring from a c.c. (I meant to say $6,500 not $7,500, but I couldn’t edit the post)
You are right, none of this money is coming from Embry.
The adviser said I might get a grant based on my GPA (3.75), but I will not know that for another 2-3 months. Other than that, I don’t think they have any other scholarships available.
Keep talking with them. They do have scholarships, they just seem to keep them well hidden. Tell them you can come if you fill that gap of 6500. I think it is too late to get scholarships from any other source at this late date. And you need that for 2 years. Best source is the school, you have a great transfer gpa, keep working them.
I don’t think Embry Riddle gives out a lot of money in scholarships, which is the reason my nephew opted not to go there.
Do you have a relative that will co-sign a loan for you?
As for books, a lot of people in the flight and engineering industry maintain their books and referenced materials in their offices because sometimes, while working in a specific area, you may need to refer to something. Both my husband and daughter use their engineering books to recall or reference something. Maybe for GE courses, you can get away with that, but not for upper division. My dd used the ISBN numbers to purchase books cheaply on the web.
There are Florida state grants for residents, given out through the schools like Pell grants. You may get about $1000.
School may also have SEOG money, work study, Perkins loans (although I think you have enough loans).
Embry has money, you need to go beg for some. There are transfer scholarshps, there are department scholarships.
You will have to buy textbooks or codes for online texts with homework and quiz access.
Okay, thanks everyone. I will update you guys and let you know what happens.
My other option is to go to the University of Florida. I got accepted into their Physics program.
Last case scenario: I can take 1 semesters worth of physics classes at UF, save the $16,000, and transfer them back to ERAU.
The classes that will transfer are: C++ Programming, Modern Physics, Classical Mechanics, and Quantum Mechanics. That’s a total of 12 Credits which ERAU charges a block rate of $16,000.
All the money you listed except for the FRAG of $3000 should be available for you at UF. I’d go to UF.
Go to UF
If he wants to be a pilot, how will UF be a fit?
And if he wants the flight program - have you factored in those additional fees?
@twoinanddone @mom2coIIegekids
The reason I want to go to ERAU is because of their Engineering Physics program. It is the only Undergraduate program offered in the state of Florida.
This is perfect because I want to do Astronautical Engineering, but I also want to take the upper level Physics courses.
If I go to UF, I can only do Physics. I did not apply to their Aerospace Engineering program. And, even if I did, I would only be doing purely engineering courses. and my passion is really the physics.
Riddle has big merit money, but that may only be for incoming freshman. Ask whether or not they give merit to transfers.
Our cost of attendance this year is 49k. You can cut down on that significantly by living off campus, but you’re still looking at 40k a year minimum.
Loans aren’t free money as you know, so you’re actually already looking at paying closer to 20k out of pocket per year (not up front, but eventually).
Riddle is a great school, but a lot of kids come here and cripple themselves for the rest of their lives by taking out insane loans. Go to UF.
Go to UF. You will probably end up in grad school anyway and can do the Astronautical Engineering and engineering physics then. And perhaps you could take a summer class in engineering physics at ERAU if they are offered.
AT UF, if you had applied to AE/ME, you would have had the option of taking Physics as a minor.
https://catalog.ufl.edu/ugrad/current/liberalarts/minors/physics.aspx
As a Physics major, you can take AE/ME classes, but you may have to fight for a spot in a few classes. Think of which classes you may want to take (like Aerodynamics and Astrodynamics) and then review the required pre-requisites and co-requisites to determine if it’s doable.
Aerospace firms do hire Physics majors, but with only a BS degree, your chances are better as an ME or AE.
If you’re thinking of getting a master’s degree in AE, it is not that uncommon to apply with an undergraduate physics degree. With the money you would save at UF, this is a real option. BS Physics then MS AE(or ME)
Good Luck!
I was told the AE/ME was extremely competitive. The coordinator and adviser told me they usually require a 3.8 GPA for transfer students, and my GPA is 3.75 I did not want to risk having to wait another semester to apply for the Physics program if I was denied admission to the Engineering College.
I can understand why you picked Physics at UF, I just wanted to be clear that a Physics BS could get you a position at an Aero firm, but it’s a harder row to hoe than a BS in AE/ME…but you have some options (such as grad school) that would make it much easier.
As an independent student, your loan limit would be $12,500 (A maximum of $5,500 may be subsidized). Keep in mind that a lot of debt will also limit your options after graduation. It may drive what job you take or where you live. ERAU may end up being your best option, but you need to really review your options at UF. Paying $25K a year in tuition (after scholarships) VS $6.5K at UF is something you really need to think about.
I’m sure you’ll make the right choice! Be it ERAU or UF.
Good Luck!