I am currently a student at RPI. For the 2016-2017 year, tuition has raised and my award package has decreased due to my NYS Tap award reaching it’s limit. Trust me when I say that I have exhausted all other possible resources when it comes to aid, loans, and work. I’ve even considered a private loan, but even if I could get approved, I would rather not add to my loan debt. So, I have decided to make a Plan B to transfer out just in case it doesn’t work out somehow next semester.
I currently have resident status in NY due to my mother. So why Florida? Well, I was thinking since my father and most of my family lives down there (Jacksonville and Bradenton areas), it would be a nice chance to get away from the winter weather. My plan was always to move down there after college. I could take a year off to work and pay off some of my loan debt, become independent, and establish residency.
My RPI GPA is currently 3.18 and my GPA from Hudson Valley Community College was 3.94. My worries are that universities whether in NYS or FL will not want to accept me due to my senior status. I have been looking into the University of Florida which seems that it has a lot to offer. Does any one know of or have any experience at colleges in NYS or Florida that have decent Computer Science programs, at a much cheaper price than $69k a year?
Please let me know if you need any other information about my situation. I know I chat a lot, so I will stop here. Thanks so much for any advice!
I think you need to do the math. At most schools you’d transfer to, they will expect you to take XX credits there in order for them to award you a degree. That could mean 2 more years. So that would be 3 years from now…counting 1 year off to establish residency.
Maybe you should take a year off from RPI, work/save and then return for that one last year. You’d start working one year earlier, which means $60k+ a year one year earlier.
Unless you’ll be 24 when you take a year off and go to a Florida school, you will not be a resident for instate tuition purposes.
Hi mom, thanks for your advice. I was thinking of making the sacrifice to stay in NY. I guess I’m just a little hasty to live in the Sunshine State. My ultimate goal has been to move down there to live around family. Do you really think I could get a job that is $60k a year without a bachelor’s? Or were you referring to the price of tuition in that sentence.
Why do I have to be 24 to establish a residency? Isn’t there are 12-month requirement?
I think Florida may offer in-state tuition if your dad lives there – they are one state that does that. But there may be limitations – how longhe has lived there, that you are a transfer vs a freshman might matter. And if your credits don’t all transfer, it still may not be cheaper. But you should investigate. Google the rules and call colleges you are interested in.
Hi intparent! Thanks for your response. My Dad has lived in Florida for 20 years. I will look more into Florida’s residency policy, but it was my understanding that they rely on tax forms for this purpose. Neither of my parents have filed taxes in years (My Dad is retired Navy and Mom is disabled).
I’m currently researching colleges, perhaps there might be a local, affordable one even with out-of-state tuition.
What mom2collegekids meant was that if you take off one year now, work, save some money, then go back to RPI with a loan and some of that saved money, you will graduate a year earlier than you would by taking a year off and then two years at some university in FL. Graduating a year earlier will get you into the job market earlier and so you will probably be earning $60k that first year rather than shelling out for a second year of educational expenses.
This of course assumes that you can come up with the money for RPI. If you can’t do that on your own, then you may have no choice but to transfer somewhere more affordable.
Do the math. One more year at RPI with loans (assuming that someone can help you sort the loans out) or two years at a university in FL, plus the difference in lost earnings from having to study for that second year. RPI may be worth it.
I totally agree happymomof1. Like I said, Florida was just a plan B just in case things don’t work out. This is just an extremely frustrating situation since I’m already almost finished. I did just find out I could qualify for a larger unsubsidized loan if my parent is denied a PLUS loan (which would happen since her credit is terrible). However, I don’t wish to subject her to the hard inquiry as I don’t think that would be kind.
Most likely, I am going to try to work and finish RPI at the same time. It will be a rough year, but I would rather not add to my current loan debt. I have an A.S in Computer Science, so hopefully there is a workplace out there that is flexible enough to work with me.
Thanks everyone for the advice. (I’m actually really good at Math by the way!)
