<p>My daughter did enroll at UofO last fall (and was accepted into the School of Music five days before fall term began!!). After much soul searching, we decided that this was the best decision for her. She is THRIVING, and I believe, for her, staying at home and attending community college would have been the wrong choice. </p>
<p>We have $18,000 in student loans for year #1 (<em>gasp</em>) … but for the next 3 years her expenses will go down substantially (off campus apt w/friends she made in the dorms), her income will go up (she didn’t work this school year, but will for the rest of college), and her younger brother will probably also be in college during her junior/senior years, which will make the financial aid package better (Pell Grants? Oregon Opportunity Grant? Work Study?). We think she can swing the next three years with just the Stafford loans ($6500/yr) or less. It is a LOT of debt, and it is scary, but she is pursuing her dream. She understands she may have to move back in with mom and work two or three jobs for a couple of years post-graduation to get the loans paid off, but we both think it’s worth it. Some people think nothing of taking out a $35,000 car loan – this is an education.</p>