Help me Decide - Northeastern [NPC $25k] vs UIUC! [NPC $41k?] [SAI 0]

College Search & Lists
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Hello, I am deciding between the two colleges listed above

Northeastern University

Pros:

  • I got into Meche and Bioengineering, which is my preferred major, as I want to continue into the biomedical sector
    • Also, I have easy access to change majors completely if i feel compelled to
  • Location is amazing
    • More things to do in terms of Boston and the Northeast in general
    • It is a lot closer to home and great for Biomed
  • Financial aid is pretty good with an EFC of 0 (estimated 25k/per)
  • I really like the idea of the co-op program and getting experience before i even graduate
  • I had the ability to tour and enjoyed it

Cons:

  • Overcrowded asf
  • Party life is subpar
  • No school spirit
  • Out of touch rich people
  • Financial aid not blessing up!!!

UIUC

Pros

  • Way more prestigious and well-known in terms of engineering
  • Traditional college experience and well-known for their party life
    • Great sport/bar scene
  • I did their NPC and it came out to 12k/per

Cons

  • I heard there OOS financial aid is not that good (comment you experience)
  • Got into Civil Engineering and would probably change my major, which I heard is difficult
  • It is a lot further from home compared to NEU
  • In the middle of nowhere
  • Heavy on greek life which I am unsure if I see myself a part of

Give me your honest opinion and correct me on anything i said wrong!!!

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What can you afford, and what are the net prices of the actual financial aid offers?

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Havent gotten my packages back from either of them but NPC for NEU says 25k and NPC for UIUC says 12k which i dont really believe because they are known for bad OOS finiacial aid

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Get FA packages first. Do not commit without them. Without money portion I would go with UIUC for Engineering.

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Are you sure that you marked your state of residency correctly? For a non-Illinois resident with FAFSA SAI of 0, the UIUC NPC gives a cost of attendance of $55k, grants of $14k (including Pell grant), leaving a net price of $41k.

It is unlikely that students and families with FAFSA SAI of 0 can afford a college with $25k or $41k annual cost.

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Get the packages - but I would worry most about my major.

What makes you think you can switch at UIUC - I would check on that first.

As for this - * Party life is subpar - you’d be in Boston - you’d find a party.

But in engineering, if you find a party too much, you’ll find yourself in business or the arts and science school - or out of college altogether. Engineering has a 40-60% drop out rate (depending on the study) for good reason. It’s hard.

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yeah lmao i didnt check off the right state mb

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Do you have any other admissions with a net price under about $10k?

If your parents can contribute nothing (as is the case for most SAI 0 families), then you can take only a federal direct loan of $5.5k first year (increasing slightly later years) and contribute some work earnings from part time work during the school year and summer jobs (usually estimated as up to $3-5k for financial aid purposes).

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My concern is the same as @ucbalumnus. If your SAI is zero, then I do not understand how you are going to afford to attend either NEU or UIUC (unless the financial aid offers come in better than what is suggested above). I also wonder whether you have any more affordable options. If you were accepted to both NEU and UIUC, then you are a strong student and should be able to get accepted to multiple other schools as well.

Do you know how much your parents can contribute without taking out loans? Is it actually 0? Do you know how much your parents would be able to borrow if they were willing to do so?

It is possible to get part way through university with significant debt already built up and discover that it is not possible to borrow enough money to finish your degree. You do not want to be stuck in this situation.

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I would probably say hold onto your in-state options until the financial aid package comes in. Don’t hold your breath on UIUC. I agree with @DadTwoGirls. You can’t depend on a good financial aid package with an SAI of zero. If you didn’t apply to any in-state schools, then GO TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE! I’ve seen true horror stories on this blog where college students started off at an expensive school and found out later that they couldn’t afford it after a mountain of debt.

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