<p>The problem is that the “extra cost” is not just money, but fights with your father about your choice of course work (wanting you to do pre-med and not do computer science) where he would be able to use the money that they are contributing as leverage against you.</p>
<p>It would not be a good idea to take out loans to cover the full cost of RPI or GT out-of-state, and you probably could not get more than the relatively small Stafford loan limit without your parents co-signing them anyway.</p>