ELI5: if we are low income and cost is a major concern, does it even make sense to look OOS?

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand how this works. Our SAI is probably the lowest there is. If my kid gets into an in state school, I believe we won’t have to pay much (the state is CA fwiw).
The problem is that he is very average and i don’t expect his GPA to be over 3.5. So he probably won’t get into any UCs except UCM, or even into good CSUs.
So, does it even make sense to look OOS if cost is a major concern? Or should he go to a middle of the road CSU or CC and call it a day?
He won’t be majoring in STEM.
Business would be awesome but even that might be too competitive for him I am afraid if he wants a UC or a decent CSU.

[Anonymous]

OOS is generally more expensive.

[Anonymous]

Private universities give need-based financial aid without regard to state of residence. Selective private universities often give very generous need-based aid.

Colleges each have a Net Price Calculator somewhere on their financial aid website. Use that to see how much aid you would get from the school. You can use it anonymously and play around with the different numbers you enter.

[Anonymous]

Is there a cal state commuting distance from home? I’m from oc and knew a ton of kids that commuted to Fullerton.

[Anonymous]

If he might apply to private universities, he will want an SAT or ACT score.

[Anonymous]

If he wants to major in business would he be open to going to one of the community colleges and then transferring to a more desirable UC? It’s really hard to beat the cost of instate tuition in California. Private colleges might give him more need based aid though. Are there any that he is interested in?

[Anonymous]

CC with the focus on transferring to a UC after 2 years may be a good approach and he might be able to get into a higher ranked UC.

If he applies to UC now, UC Santa Cruz is also a possibility.

If you are OK with a Catholic school, USF early action might work, but I would run the NPC as suggested.

As far as OOS, you might want to look at the University of New Mexico, but, again, run the NPC. You will have to decide whether you think it is better and more cost effective than a CSU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Private universities give need-based financial aid without regard to state of residence. Selective private universities often give very generous need-based aid.

Colleges each have a Net Price Calculator somewhere on their financial aid website. Use that to see how much aid you would get from the school. You can use it anonymously and play around with the different numbers you enter.

Thanks, he won’t get into a selective school of any kind

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is there a cal state commuting distance from home? I’m from oc and knew a ton of kids that commuted to Fullerton.

Yes but it’s as impacted as Fullerton if not more.
Also my question is whether he should look at something beyond that option at all. I know a CSU is the most realistic option for him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he might apply to private universities, he will want an SAT or ACT score.

He will have that. The question is whether he will be able to even afford anything out of state, even with need based aid and/or merit from a southern school. It’s going to be more expensive than an in state CSU, right? I guess so!

[Anonymous]

There are definitely schools less expensive - Western Carolina and any of the NC Promise schools have $5,000 out of state tuition: https://www.northcarolina.edu/impact/affordability-efficiency/nc-promise/

There are also many schools that will offer in-state tuition if a student has a certain GPA or SAT score - for example Missouri State
Likely many other lesser known colleges in midwestern states will be same or less expensive as in-state in California

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he wants to major in business would he be open to going to one of the community colleges and then transferring to a more desirable UC? It’s really hard to beat the cost of instate tuition in California. Private colleges might give him more need based aid though. Are there any that he is interested in?

knowing him CC->UC route might be too unstructured/self guided for him. His issue is lack of motivation and executive function so imho he’ll do much better if he gets into a 4 year school (not too demanding) and just chugs along.

And thanks, I hear you on the instate tuition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he might apply to private universities, he will want an SAT or ACT score.

He will have that. The question is whether he will be able to even afford anything out of state, even with need based aid and/or merit from a southern school. It’s going to be more expensive than an in state CSU, right? I guess so!

Don't guess. Use the Net Price Calculators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If he might apply to private universities, he will want an SAT or ACT score.

He will have that. The question is whether he will be able to even afford anything out of state, even with need based aid and/or merit from a southern school. It’s going to be more expensive than an in state CSU, right? I guess so!

Don't guess. Use the Net Price Calculators.

especially at private universities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If he wants to major in business would he be open to going to one of the community colleges and then transferring to a more desirable UC? It’s really hard to beat the cost of instate tuition in California. Private colleges might give him more need based aid though. Are there any that he is interested in?

Forgot to say that he is kind of interested in the university of Santa Clara but he is still a long way away from building his list