Whose choice should college decisions be?

ucbalumnus
Wed, 15 Apr 2015 04:14:56 +0000

How much in the way of loans, and how much in the way of parent contribution (including parent loans or parent co-signing loans beyond the federal direct loan limit)?

Realistically, your net price limit should be the maximum your parents are willing to contribute plus federal direct loans plus a few thousand per year that you can realistically earn with part time and summer jobs. Lower is better, of course, since being at the very edge of your price limit can be stressful if any unanticipated financial setbacks occur.

You and your parents should have discussed the cost constraints before you made your application list. That way, you will know that any admission that does not come with enough scholarships or financial aid grants to fall within the price limit can be treated as a rejection. Knowing the cost constraints may also have let you build a list of more financially realistic schools.