I’m really sorry that you’re in this situation. Unless PC is offering him a HUGE fin aid package, you can’t afford that either.
You live in MA? You have little to no money to pay? He goes to a nearby community college, living at home, and transfers to Isenberg with his associate’s degree. Look into which comm coll near you has a transfer agreement for what he wants. If father won’t pay for that, you then try to get the court to force him to pay his share of that, because obviously your in-state public is the cheapest option for kid.
He can do his associate’s degree in one year by doing as much CLEP as possible (modernstates.org) and starting this summer. He could be at Isenberg by fall '25 as a junior.
On the issue of affordability - is living at home and commuting to class an option for your son?
Would you/he consider doing a less expensive school and transferring in for Sophomore or Junior year? Perhaps even discuss this with the admissions officer at the 4 year college, as plenty of target schools do offer admission for sophomore year.
See if you can form a relationship with the aid offices at the schools he’s been accepted to to get creative on paying for this degree without loans. Is there a campus research opportunity or job that could help lower the cost?
Is ROTC a path your son would be open to?
It will be hard for your son to make strategic decisions on his career, marriage, etc if he is saddled with large student loans. Let’s find a better alternative for him.
Mommytothree, I am so curious what you decided? I have a son who is a sophomore at Penn State and a Senior in HS considering Providence! What did you decide? Is he happy so far?
