high school girl doesn't get to be valedictorian

[Munchkin03]

You know, I'm not so sure how much we should rely on our states to provide scholarships, especially in the cases of top state schools (UT, UVa, or the Cal system). In-state residents basically get a discount on these relatively inexpensive schools anyway, while most out-of-state residents make up for the fact that they're not paying taxes in the state with out-of-state fees. Schools like the one I mentioned above are a great bargain in the first place.

If I had chosen to go to UF (fat chance, I basically applied because our college consultant required us to apply to a state school), my education would have been free, but it was so cheap anyway that it didn't feel like a major honor. I actually got even more money from William and Mary.

[AGDee]

See, now our main state schools are VERY expensive. At one time, U of Michigan was the most expensive public university in the nation. They are not affordable AT ALL. All the schools are insanely expensive now. I have a friend whose son is at Western Michigan and he's paying $16,000 a year for a (hate to use the word) lower tier (read: Less selective) school. That's a 400% increase over when I went to school and tuition, room and board were less than $4000 a year.

[srmom]

Originally Posted by AGDee

See, now our main state schools are VERY expensive. At one time, U of Michigan was the most expensive public university in the nation. They are not affordable AT ALL. All the schools are insanely expensive now. I have a friend whose son is at Western Michigan and he's paying $16,000 a year for a (hate to use the word) lower tier (read: Less selective) school. That's a 400% increase over when I went to school and tuition, room and board were less than $4000 a year.

The tuition rate for UT is around $9000 a year for instate, but what they fail to mention is that the cost of living is pretty darn high in Austin - my son is living in a 12 bedroom duplex (6 baths) with a bunch of his pledge brothers next year (I know, it's insane, but what's a mom to do) and the cost of that one stupid room is $795 a month, not including his share of utilities. So, after adding up tuition, rent, food, books, and dues, we will be spending upwards of $30,000/year for our state public.

College costs are getting astronomical - so for you young parents out there - Start saving your pennies

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by srmom

The tuition rate for UT is around $9000 a year for instate, but what they fail to mention is that the cost of living is pretty darn high in Austin - my son is living in a 12 bedroom duplex (6 baths) with a bunch of his pledge brothers next year (I know, it's insane, but what's a mom to do) and the cost of that one stupid room is $795 a month, not including his share of utilities...

College costs are getting astronomical - so for you young parents out there - Start saving your pennies

That's about what I paid each month to live in the dorm at my school, which included sharing the room with a roommate.

The cost of public higher ed. varies greatly from state to state (yearly tuition):

- University of Michigan's tuition varies even according to major, which is interesting and unusual I think. But from the looks of it, 2007 tuition there for in-state averaged around $5,500 (out of state around $16,000),
- University of Washington $6,300 in state; $22,000 out of state
- University of Texas $9,200 in-state full time business undergrad (again it varies according to major); $20,000 out of state
- Ole Miss $5,100 for in-state; $7,300 out of state
- UCLA $5,800 in-state; $25,000 out of state
- Florida State $3,700 in state; $18,000 out of state

Ole Miss looks like a bargain for out-of-staters.

[nittanyalum]

Originally Posted by AGDee

See, now our main state schools are VERY expensive. At one time, U of Michigan was the most expensive public university in the nation. They are not affordable AT ALL. All the schools are insanely expensive now.

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

University of Michigan's tuition varies even according to major, which is interesting and unusual I think. But from the looks of it, 2007 tuition there for in-state averaged around $5,500 (out of state around $16,000)

I always heard that about Michigan too. Just curious, Peppy, where did you get your numbers? The numbers I found were much more in line with this: http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/colle...ollege_id=9263 that says instate tuition is more like around 10 grand (and that's not including any room and board -- if your in-state kid wants to live (and eat) on campus, it looks like it could run you $18-19K, minimum)

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by nittanyalum

I always heard that about Michigan too. Just curious, Peppy, where did you get your numbers? The numbers I found were much more in line with this: http://cgi.money.cnn.com/tools/colle...ollege_id=9263 that says instate tuition is more like around 10 grand (and that's not including any room and board -- if your in-state kid wants to live (and eat) on campus, it looks like it could run you $18-19K, minimum)

I got the numbers directly from each school's Web site. For Michigan, the site said it was for a traditional 9-month schedule...no indication it was for just one semester. But it would make sense if the number should be double, because my bf is always telling me how expensive Michigan was for a public school.

Also, as I noted, these costs were just tuition, not meant to be comprehensive costs.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

In-state residents basically get a discount on these relatively inexpensive schools anyway.

How do you figure this? Are you just comparing In-state vs out-of-state?

In no way does it seem like I got a "discount" from being an in-state student. In fact, I paid more tuition for 1 semester at UTEP then I did for a whole YEAR (3 quarters) at CSUEB.

When I started UTEP back in '03, tuition was around $80 per credit hour. Now this fall its going to be close to $200 per credit hour.

The out-of-state students that come here get pretty good scholarships. I know a girl who came from Michigan (she wasn't an athlete or anything) and got a full scholarship to UTEP, yet many native El Pasoans (who could definitely use some aid money) rarely get aid.

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by epchick

How do you figure this? Are you just comparing In-state vs out-of-state?

In no way does it seem like I got a "discount" from being an in-state student. In fact, I paid more tuition for 1 semester at UTEP then I did for a whole YEAR (3 quarters) at CSUEB.

When I started UTEP back in '03, tuition was around $80 per credit hour. Now this fall its going to be close to $200 per credit hour.

The out-of-state students that come here get pretty good scholarships. I know a girl who came from Michigan (she wasn't an athlete or anything) and got a full scholarship to UTEP, yet many native El Pasoans (who could definitely use some aid money) rarely get aid.

Here we have two tuition rates, one for in-state and one for out-of-state.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by nate2512

Here we have two tuition rates, one for in-state and one for out-of-state.

I am aware of that, since we do have that here as well. I was just wondering why she said that in-staters get a "discount." That is why I asked if she is just shearly looking at the tuition rates between in-state vs. out-of-state. If that is what she is looking at then, yeah I guess in-staters get a discount.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by epchick

I am aware of that, since we do have that here as well. I was just wondering why she said that in-staters get a "discount." That is why I asked if she is just shearly looking at the tuition rates between in-state vs. out-of-state. If that is what she is looking at then, yeah I guess in-staters get a discount.

What's exactly what I was looking at. Plus, even with out-of-state tuition, the top public schools are a bargain compared to comparable private schools!

I'm not so sure tuition varies by major, but by school. Some schools within large universities have more fees or different charges.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

What's exactly what I was looking at. Plus, even with out-of-state tuition, the top public schools are a bargain compared to comparable private schools!

It depends on the private school. Many have big endowments and give generous grants and scholarships. When all was said and done in my case, it only cost me a few thousand extra per year to attend my private school because I wasn't going to get anything from Univ. of Washington.

[AGDee]

That was definitely for one semester at Michigan. They aren't real clear about that on their website! Room and board for a double, full year, is around $9000.

I've been making myself well aware of these things as my daughter is starting high school and I'm totally panicking. I hope she keeps that 4.0 going through high school. She has high aspirations, a dad who thinks kids should pay for their own college and a mom who would love to pay but doesn't have that kinda money to spare. She's got to get some good scholarships. Additionally, many of the student loan companies have stopped loaning money to students in this state because our economy is so crappy.

Exact tuition rates by major for Michigan: http://www.umich.edu/~regoff/tuition/full.html

They do say "full term" which would be fall or winter vs. half terms (spring/summer)

ETA: Our other 'flagship' school, Michigan State, is a bit more affordable at about $4000 a term.

[Munchkin03]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

It depends on the private school. Many have big endowments and give generous grants and scholarships. When all was said and done in my case, it only cost me a few thousand extra per year to attend my private school because I wasn't going to get anything from Univ. of Washington.

But not every student receives that sort of financial aid....at my undergrad, which is private and pretty freaking selective, only about 40% of freshmen received any sort of grant. For the 60% who don't qualify for aid, yes, a public school--no matter which one--is a bargain. Also, keep in mind that the top private schools only offer scholarships to those who NEED the money--ie, no merit scholarships.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by PeppyGPhiB

It depends on the private school. Many have big endowments and give generous grants and scholarships. When all was said and done in my case, it only cost me a few thousand extra per year to attend my private school because I wasn't going to get anything from Univ. of Washington.

And it also depends on the student as well. Because when I applied to Pepperdine (it was my # 1 school) the scholarships that they had given me (which they said were "preliminary" because they hadn't had all my parents finanical information) were taken away because A) according to them I lied on the financial aid forms (which i didnt) and B) my parents made too much money for me to receive those "scholarships."

My mom works as a teacher, and my dad works for the post office---i'm not sure how they make "too much money" but whatever.