<p>You need to run your numbers here: [FinAid</a> | Calculators | Advanced Award Letter Comparison Tool](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid) There also are places where you can include some non-numeric information as well.</p>
<p>I don’t understand how you can have 10k in federal loans. The Stafford maximum for a freshman is only $5,500 is some of that a Perkins loan? Would you need to take on that level of loans each year? If so, you probably can’t afford RPI. 40k in loans would translate to roughly $460 each month in loan payments for ten long years. That is like a second car payment for a fancier car than you would normally buy!</p>
<p>Right now it looks like you prefer Rutgers, buses and all. It is OK to go there, especially if RPI isn’t as affordable for your family.</p>