- #1
Ebola_V1rus
- 15
- 0
Hello all, I'll start with some background info on myself.
I'm a middle class white male who has the 'honor' of calling Cornfield, Illinois home. Due to personal choice, and financial restrictions, (okay mostly financial restrictions) I've been attending a local community college and studying engineering for the last two years. I plan to transfer to a four year institution in the fall of 2011.
It has always been my dream to attend the University of Illinois to finish my undergraduate degree. To be surrounded by the rich history of technological innovation and learn from the minds behind them would be a dream come true. However, after filling out my application to the school and really scrutinizing the costs of attending I was surprised to find that it will cost me between $65k-$75k to attend the U of I for TWO AND A HALF YEARS.
I will receive no financial contributions from my parents, they make decent money, but have bills and debts of their own to pay. A common phrase I keep hearing from family and friends when discussing this matter is "Just take out the loans, everyone has to". I somehow do not believe that the average person has to take on ~$120k in debt for an undergraduate education.
Those familiar with Illinois will know that there aren't any other public schools in the state that even come close to the reputation of UIUC engineering. Accordingly, I'm feeling 'stuck' and very stressed out about this. I'm ineligible for financial aid due to my parent's income, and an unlikely scholarship candidate( my stats are there, my skin color is not). Alright, I'll stop my whining get to my question.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Do I have any other choices available to me that I'm just not seeing? Any advice?
Any helpful response is greatly appreciated, I'll be sure and check the thread as often as possible.
Thanks
I'm a middle class white male who has the 'honor' of calling Cornfield, Illinois home. Due to personal choice, and financial restrictions, (okay mostly financial restrictions) I've been attending a local community college and studying engineering for the last two years. I plan to transfer to a four year institution in the fall of 2011.
It has always been my dream to attend the University of Illinois to finish my undergraduate degree. To be surrounded by the rich history of technological innovation and learn from the minds behind them would be a dream come true. However, after filling out my application to the school and really scrutinizing the costs of attending I was surprised to find that it will cost me between $65k-$75k to attend the U of I for TWO AND A HALF YEARS.
I will receive no financial contributions from my parents, they make decent money, but have bills and debts of their own to pay. A common phrase I keep hearing from family and friends when discussing this matter is "Just take out the loans, everyone has to". I somehow do not believe that the average person has to take on ~$120k in debt for an undergraduate education.
Those familiar with Illinois will know that there aren't any other public schools in the state that even come close to the reputation of UIUC engineering. Accordingly, I'm feeling 'stuck' and very stressed out about this. I'm ineligible for financial aid due to my parent's income, and an unlikely scholarship candidate( my stats are there, my skin color is not). Alright, I'll stop my whining get to my question.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Do I have any other choices available to me that I'm just not seeing? Any advice?
Any helpful response is greatly appreciated, I'll be sure and check the thread as often as possible.
Thanks