Hi,
My parents are ineligible to borrow a Parent Direct PLUS loan since they are both Argentinian and not U.S. residents (I am American and hold American citizenship but not residency). However, I wanted to know if there is any other way to finance my undergraduate education since I’m considered an out-of-state student and my parents don’t think they will be able to pay for the remaining costs at the university I chose (Which accepted me) after received a federal pell grant (also a supplemental one), unsubsidized and subsidized stafford loans. We were also considering on having a co-signer, but I don’t know if that’s possible. So, what advice could you give me?
Do you live in Argentina? What can you afford to pay (not counting loans) per year of university?
What universities have you been accepted to, and what would they cost per year?
Most students are constrained by finances with regard to what schools they can attend.
How much does the school cost? You will also have expensive flight travel each year. And you’ll have to purchase health insurance.
What is the breakdown of the aid you’ve received?
What is your major and career goal?
Thank you for your answers! Yes I live in Argentina, I can afford to pay $20000 per year of university, my major is Architecture and I want to do a BA in Arch which is why my favorite choice would be UW. Also, I have been accepted to the following universities and I’ve provided you the total cost, and also the same with financial aid deductions (not including the Direct Parent Plus loan):
University of Washington: original total cost of $53,382 (everything included except health insurance e.g. meal plan, housing, tuition and fees, etc), deducted to $41,629.
UC Davis: original total cost of $64,506 (everything included), deducted to $51,936.
Louisiana State University: original total cost of $50,709 (not including health insurance), deducted to $39,189.
Iowa State University, original total cost of $36,326 (not including health insurance), deducted to $26,326.
Go to school for free in Argentina! I would be sending my son there in a heartbeat if he could speak Spanish.
^^ looks like int’l transportation isn’t included either. Won’t that cost a couple thousand each year?
Do you understand that there aren’t enough Arch jobs anymore?
Do you have another career path in mind?
Oh, sorry, I didn’t read so far to see that you live there. Why do you want to go abroad? Could you come here for Grad school and save a few years’ worth of tuition? Is there a less expensive option in Spain? US colleges are so extremely overpriced right now, unless you can get some merit aid. Need-based aid is usually reserved for state residents.
@mom2collegekids it costs less, I think that It’s among $1200 but not far more from that. At the moment I have no other career path, but I’ve considered arts a lot (specially visual arts) @Trixy34 Even though school is free in Argentina, the system and teachers are not as good as in the U.S. I would like to go abroad because it has been my childhood dream (having been born over there and having traveled several times), I would definitely go to grad school over there, the only thing I don’t know about is equivalence exams. I don’t like Spain as a place to live because, and I know I am doing a generalization, I don’t like how they treat you (because of the experiences I’ve had while being there.)
@JamesWiz - I’d have to take your word for it, as I haven’t been to Argentina since I was in my 20s. But I did do a semester of college there and one of my classes was at University of Cordoba. True, we dealt with teacher strikes and once some of us had to sit on the floor, but I found the level of dedication of the students to be well above what I experienced at my highly-ranked Liberal Arts College. I also spent a year in high school in Argentina. My overall opinion of the educational system - at least 30 years ago, is excellent. I wish you lots of luck - I’m not sure about the equivalence exams either. You might reach out to some of the deans at architectural grad schools and just ask them. I’m sure some would be happy to help you.
If your goal is to work in the US as an architect, then you need to find out what is required for the licensing exams here. It may be advisable to complete your degrees here.
Iowa State is the only option that comes close to what is affordable for yout family. Is your scholarship there need-based or merit-based? If it is need-based, and the financial aid office can guarante similar packages in the future, then you might want to consider doing your first two years at one of the IA community colleges that have guaranteed transfer articulation agreements for architecture at iSU. Some of the CCs in IA have dorms, so you wouldn’t neeed to worry about housing.
If your parents would need a Plus loan, I assume aid is important. I’m surprised you seem to have only applied to public U’s that don’t promise to meet full need.
It won’t hurt you to do undergrad near home and finalize your arch credentials in a US grad school.
Your parents will not be able to get a Plus loan, and it is very unlikely they could get a private loan from a US bank. You might be able to get an additional $4000 in direct loans since your parents cannot get a Plus loan. That’s it, about $10000 per year. All of the schools are too expensive for you.