<p>Ok so here’s my situation…I applied to Michigan EA and was accepted. I just received my final award notice and it’s only going to cost me about $8000/yr to attend from OOS because of some serious scholarship money. However, I was also accepted to NU, and it has become my top choice. I have yet to receive my financial aid package from NU, but I highly doubt that it will be even remotely close to the offer I’m getting from Michigan. Also, my entire family, including myself (hence the username), are die hard Michigan fans, so I am getting a lot of pressure from my family to go to Michigan next year. However, NU is still my top choice, and I’d personally be willing to take out a few extra thousand dollars in loans to attend. So essentially I came here because I figured some of you would be able to give me advice on how to convince my parents to let me attend NU even though there is a higher price tag. All advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>Obviously how much $ a family is willing/able to spend on education is a highly personal decision. Believe me when I say that you do NOT want the cost of your education to jeopardize your parents’ financial future (if only because that will later negatively impact you), but in theory the FAFSA and CSS Profile will prevent a school from asking your family for more than they can afford to contribute. </p>
<p>Then we get into “needs” versus “wants”. In practice, I have seen that most families can afford a lot more than what they WANT to spend if they are willing to prioritize. For example, our family vacations now largely tie in to getting D to/from school and our entertainment includes vicariously hearing about her school adventures. So far we are nothing but thrilled that we made the choice we did… money is NOT everything!</p>
<p>Then there is the nebulous question of value. Here is a thread that explains what convinced some of us that it was worth it to spend more on NU (a choice that many families have to weigh since ALL NU kids are highly desirable to other schools and have been offered big scholarships elsewhere).</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northwestern-university/1263836-why-do-people-choose-go-nu.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/northwestern-university/1263836-why-do-people-choose-go-nu.html</a></p>
<p>Good luck in your decision!</p>
<p>First of all wait till you have your NU offer – maybe you’ll be surprised.</p>
<p>Next – put together a list of reasons why you prefer NU over Michigan. Be prepared to discuss this with your parents as an adult.</p>
<p>If it comes down to finances – I don’t know that I can help you. Money is a factor. If you’re willing to take out loans – have this researched – where are the loans going to come from.</p>
<p>I can’t guaranty if it will work with your parents. However, My D had the choice between NU and Cornell last year (and we’re a multi-generation Cornell family). Her reasons for wanting to go to NU were well-thought out, and persuasive. That’s where she went.</p>
<p>If the Michigan scholarship is need based, prepare to be surprised.</p>
<p>LJGoBlue, I was also accepted to NU and Michigan and will probably be making a decision similar to yours. Since this is CollegeConfidential I might as well ask, what were the Michigan scholarships/monies that you received?</p>
<p>I received a $20,000/yr Engineering Department Scholarship, $10,000/yr Jean Fairfax Scholarship, and a $12,000 grant. I actually also just received my NU financial aid offer, and I’m very pleased! NU will actually cost about the same as Michigan, so I guess my parents can’t dispute the cost anymore! Thanks for the feedback guys!</p>
<p>Hey congratulations!! Perhaps I’ll see you either at NU or Mich, if we both decide on the same place. Unfortunately, I’m still waiting on both NU and Mich for F.A.! >.<</p>
<p>Haha thanks! Maybe we will cross paths next year, good luck!</p>
<p>LJGoBlue, good luck with everything! Those are great schools to be making a decision between! :)</p>
<p>Also, did you receive your FA offer in the mail today? I called and they said they were mailing them out and they would arrive next week…</p>
<p>You can access it on Caesar if you’ve set your account up.</p>
<p>Fantastic news, LJGoBlue! </p>
<p>Best of luck wherever you land next year!</p>