I just received my financial aid information for two of my schools.
At Cal State Fullerton, a public school, I received $16k grants and loans. And at University of Redlands, a private school, I got a $24k scholarship and $22k in grants and loans. Tuition is completely paid off for both schools, and I’ll only paying around 13k per year for room and board for either schools, which my parents are okay paying for.
I’m leaning towards the private school for numerous reasons, but I’ve heard horror stories about some private schools tacking on extra hidden prices to their fees.
But since the numbers themselves is virtually the same for both schools, I was wondering if I could hear about some of your experiences paying for a public or private school. Any regrets? Insights? Warnings? Tips?
Look very carefully at each of the aid components - are they fixed, or will they increase each year to keep up with tuition increases? If you’re not sure, contact the school and ask.
Meanwhile, to get better answers on this forum, tell us the cost of attendance for each school (break it down by tuition, room & board, books, etc. - you can get this from each school’s website) and make a list of precisely what aid you’d be receiving at each school - scholarships, need-based grants, loans, etc. Once we have that, we’ll be better able to tell you if the two deals are comparable, or if one is better than the other.
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but I’ve heard horror stories about some private schools tacking on extra hidden prices to their fees.
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I don’t know what you’ve heard, but maybe you’ve talked to people who think private schools only do this. Many/most schools have some surprise fees, like course fees, and/or university fees.
Course fees are somewhat like “lab fees” or “technology fees” but they seem to be added to most courses. They cover various extra costs associated with those courses.
Each institution publishes an estimated Cost of Attendance right on its website. That give a breakdown of the various expenses that go into the COA. Compare the two lists. Does one institution include something that the other one leaves out?
Look for links to Tuition and Fees for current students on both websites. There should be information about all the various random fees that each place charges.
If you still think something is missing, contact the Bursars Office and the Financial Aid Office at each place, and ask for a detailed list of the fees you can expect based on your projected courses, whether you will have a car on campus, etc.
Find out the prices for different housing options and meal plan choices available to freshmen.
Does the school require you to live on campus all four years? Upperclassmen housing can cost alot more, but possibly meal plans can be cheaper or you might be able to cook (in apt style).
Will your current health insurance be accepted or will you have to buy the school’s policy?
Will the school accept your AP credits? Is study abroad extra cost or covered by aid/scholarship?
Are travel costs similar at both schools?
Did you visit both schools and do they have ghe programs and opportunities you are looking for?
I’ve rarely seen expenses like “course fees” included in the COA’s listed on websites Many schools leave that off…maybe because it varies by course selection.
@mom2collegekids - That’s true. It usually requires digging deeper. I have seen serious variation between what one place includes in the COA and another doesn’t. Not just the numbers for books/materials/personal expenses, but also whether or not there are figures for local and long-distance transportation. The student needs to get a complete breakdown to see whether the COAs are apples-to-apples or apples-to-streetcars.