Should I give up a full tuition scholarship?

KaliIsabel
Mon, 13 Feb 2017 00:58:59 +0000

Syracuse COA (including tuition, housing (triple), meal (2 meal a day plan), transportation, books, and “other educational expenses” listed in my financial aid package): $63,846.00 / yr

Scholarship + Pell Grant = -$47,592.00

=$16,254 remaining

-$3200 I will save up from work
-$5500 parent contribution
-$5500 (student loans Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized)
-$3200 Work Study (I know I will not earn this until later but I could apply to my second semester and daily expenses)

=-1,146 left over

**Also, I was given a $2000 Perkins Loan as an option in my financial aid package, I was made aware that this will be going away soon and have requested need based financial aid to replace it, so currently waiting on that.

I have not confirmed whether my insurance meets the requirements.

I am fine eating two meals a day because that is usually how I eat at home. I have a fruit in the morning and have a good lunch and dinner.

I also applied for multiple scholarships and am a semi finalist for one of them but want to find a way to pay for Syracuse should I not receive anything.

Also, the plot thickens, I was accepted to the University of Florida yesterday where the estimated COA is $21,251 (although I have been told by many that it is much lower) However, I was granted admission to their Academy of Innovation, a program where you don’t take classes in the fall but in Spring/Summer and have to minor in innovation. They are slightly higher ranked though. I haven’t received the financial aid package but am even more confused now with the added variable.

If anything can’t I put down the deposit (mine is being waived) to ensure my spot and back out should I receive better financial aid? I would, of course, notify the school first before pursuing any other opportunities.