"And I still ask…what is the matter with an application to UAH…right now…where full tuition will be guaranteed? "
Ranking is not high enough for tiger mom
@MYOS1634 and why if the student graduating early is taking summer classes? Not skipping, not taking less, just simply working hard and achieving 120 credits in less than four years.
Isn’t 18 credits a semester times 6 = 108? That just takes a few summer classes to get to 120. Or a 7th semester, no summer classes.
Not even any credits coming in.
Taking 18 credits per semester is very difficult but can be a good way to save money if there’s a flat fee. (not if you are to pay per credit or pay a surcharge if you got above 17).
However 18 credits plus significant research would be very difficult if not impossible. A problem with research is that it takes time.
@MYOS1634 there are a ton of Masters degrees that are not research based. Graduating early can mean starting grad school early or getting work experience earlier. Follow the money.
The kiddo doesn’t want to go to Hawaii…which would be affordable. The kiddo claims they can’t take a gap year…and find affordable colleges. The kiddo COULD apply to UAH which is affordable, and warm.
If the parents want to go into severe debt for twins to attend college for the next four years…that is their decision…
But really…there are ways to avoid that. This family doesn’t seem to want to hear them.
However, non research masters degrees are not likely to be funded.
@ucbalumnus one could be a Graduate Assistant and receive a highly discounted or free Masters.
I suspect there needs to be some sinking in of the financial facts and decisions made from there.
I’m not sure if these students would consider UAH ‘better’ than Hawaii choices, but here is an interesting fact with UAH from ‘the hockey capitol of the south’:
http://www.al.com/business/index.ssf/2017/04/uah_alum_brings_jobs_to_huntsv.html#incart_river_home
An early graduate from UAH was this student who was UG History and also worked for the first UAH President:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hendricks
Students can find opportunities where they are ‘planted’.
Let’s make sure, for OP, when we mean UH (Hawaii) and UAH (Alabama/Huntsville. )
And while grad school plans are relevant to costs now, let’s get off the refinements of diff masters programs.
Plus, just pointing out for some, it’s 530am in HI, of couse she’s not responding yet.
Yes…Alabama Huntsville will be guaranteed full tuition scholarship.
Sounds like Hawaii would be affordable as well.
To be frank…if finances were a consideration…these twins applied to the WRONG schools.
The parents can pay $15k/year out-of-pocket for each student. With the ~$5500 federal student loan and ~$3k summer work earnings they have ~$23k each. If they can get tuition grants they should have some affordable options.
Home equity IS part of retirement savings. If they can’t pay it back by the time they retire, then they will have one or more mortgages when they retire. Also, when you laid it out, UR looked like $39K, not $31K.
Bottom line. Your family can’t afford anyplace you got in. Your parents are deluding themselves about how they will pay for it and preserve their retirement. If you go, my guess is that you will either end up transferring to a cheaper option or supporting your parents in retirement.
Also – regarding the cost of living in Hawaii – I expect many of us would like to live and retire there. But you can’t expect a break in college costs because your parents made that choice. They are deciding how to spend the income they have got. Now the moment of truth has come on college expenses, and they are encouraging choices that are damaging to your whole family’s financial future. Bad plan.
OP amended to say that it’s $30,000 a year per twin…but she doesn’t know how much if that is Loans.
This poster applied to a completely WRONG list of colleges if finances are really a significant consideration.
University of Hawaii are in rolling admissions.
I agree it’s not a good idea to take a second mortgage and I personally would never do it, but for some, it might not be such a stretch depending on income.
@Thumper1, in post #85 OP said her parents told her the $30k/year was the total for both. They can only pay $15k out-of-pocket for each twin.
Agree with @SOSConcern #127 – despite the fact that it’s in their benefit to rapidly hunt down alternative schools and take a fresh hard look at their local options for a couple years, it is going to take time for the family to process and let go of those dream schools. It’s not easy to change all your hopes and plans at the last minute.
I hope they do so and don’t fall for some predatory lender.
Post 40
Poster’s GPA and 34 ACT would give free campus housing in addition to full tuition at UAH.