<p>I am a “lucky” international student who got admited into a top 50 LAC (ranked between #20-30)
I applied for financial aid and I got a grant for 39k, I am expected to contribute with around 16k (per year).</p>
<p>My family doesn’t have a lot of money but as of today that amount (8k) is possible (at least for first semester) we will worry for next semester and so on when the time comes. Now, here is the deal, I feel guilty and feel like I don’t want to go anymore, my family is very happy for me and somehow proud, my parents are pushing me to attend but I don’t feel like because it’s a lot of money, I have more siblings and that money could be used in something more important and we could actually live with that budget for a year. I was very excited and I really like the coollege I got admitted to but I feel weird, like I shouldn’t attend. Actually I started to not like the school and think its a waste of time and money.</p>
<p>Have a candid conversation with your parents. If they feel that they can afford to send you, and are proud of you, then you should trust their decision and go with a clean conscience. </p>
<p>As for the $16K/year, while it’s not a great idea to graduate from college with a lot of debt, perhaps you could take on $5-10K/year in loans yourself, to relieve your family of some of the burden.</p>
<p>“we could actually live with that budget for a year”</p>
<p>You need to talk about this with your parents. You will need to demonstrate that you have the full amount of money needed for a year of college or you won’t get your student visa. If your family can’t pay what is owed for the second semester, you will have to go home because the college won’t let you just stay there without paying. And, if you do get through the first year, but can’t pay for the second, third, or fourth, you will not be able to finish your degree.</p>
<p>Do you have any good choices in your own country? Perhaps you should study there instead. Are there any scholarships or loans available to you from your government? Is it too late to apply for one for next year?</p>
<p>Every single year lots of US students find that they can’t attend the college or university that they really want to because the money just isn’t there. If you determine that you can’t attend this LAC, you won’t be alone.</p>
<p>Take the advice of seattlemom and happymomof1. It is very empathic of you to understand your family’s situation. Have an honest talk with your parents. It may turn out that they have the funds for you or it may turn out that they will be sacrificing everything for you which may harm the family’s financial situation.
You are not overreacting. You should be proud of yourself.</p>
<p>Hi! Thanks to everyone, I tried to talk to them but my dad started with “stop that, we can afford it, if not we will find a way, and if we can’t after trying everything then you come back, it’s a good opportunity and a good experience so there is nothing else to discuss” i said- seriously, are you sure?'" , he kinda got mad but in a joking way and said, “then don’t go anywhere, I already told you the money is there but if you don’t want to, ok, if you bring it up again then there is no deal”.</p>
<p>I think he feels bad that I am assuming he won’t be able to come up with the money, like a pride issue maybe?
I don’t mind going just for one semester or two, it would be a good experience anyway but at the same time I feeel like we would be wasting money, like a trip for a semester which I think I don’t deserve, I haven’t done anything that my siblings haven’t to deserve a trip and nothing for them you know?</p>
<p>We used to have a lot of money, but these last 5 years things have crumbled so perhaps that is why my dad sees it as something simple? He grew up that way and lived like that almost his eentire life, while Ive been through poverty and all that, like more real and conscious.</p>
<p>In my country we don’t have too many free schools and the few that are free are very hard to get in, about 20 students struggle for the same spot. There are private institutions that are cheap and would be affordable, but those are unknown and would be hard to get a job. The known and respectable private institutions would cost almost the same as what Im suppoused to pay at the LAC (between 12k-14k)</p>
<p>Should I go ahead? Enjoy it and stop worrying? or be Responsible and since it seems like Im the only responsible one then, just say no? What would you do?</p>
<p>Your parents have made it crystal clear that they want you to go and that they will do their absolute best to come up with the money. I agree with Seattlemom, then, that you should head to college without trying to second-guess them. If worst comes to worst and you aren’t able to finish all four years in the US, you will still have had a very broadening, possibly life-changing, experience as an international student.</p>
<p>The best way to value the sacrifice your family is making isn’t to prevent them from making it, but to seize the opportunity with both hands and do as well as you possibly can at your LAC.</p>