Clarkson VS. RIT

[John Gutmann]

Originally Posted by BrianBSL

I think the only student loans you will find with no interest while you are in school are subsidized Stafford loans, which are capped at set amounts depending on the year you are in ($2500 or so freshman year I believe, at least for the unsubsidized I have, and then increase every year (approx 3700, 5500, 7500, these numbers are +/- $500 or so). This requires that you have a FAFSA EFC (expected family contribution) low enough to get them. I don't believe you need a co-signer either, at least I didn't need a co-signer for my unsubsidized Stafford loans.

Its probably a little early to worry about which school you go to (you have to be accepted first!) - although it is the time to start looking at schools, as you can apply early decision in the fall. Get accepted first though, and then see what they offer you for financial aid before you start worrying about it. Just because you don't think you can afford it doesn't mean its not worth applying, or not worth the $50 application fee if you have visited and want to go there. If you really can't afford it, then the financial aid office will likely make it so you can. However, if your family has significant resources, but doesn't want to commit them to your college education, you may run into issues. Don't worry about applying for loans until you have been accepted, as loan companies likely aren't really going to care for another year until you are actually accepted and starting school soon.

Also, don't restrict your applications to only two schools - I obviously have no idea about your grades etc, but at least apply to more than two, just in case you don't get accepted, even if your grades seem to line up fine.

In case you didn't know The Clarkson School is a early admissions program that start ehh April 25th? I wanna say so I kinda have to have the application in before July 1st.