SUNY Empire State
conandrob240 said:
$8600 without meal plan for a shared apartment is insane especially for SI.
Actually, that price is standard. Add about $4k for a full meal plan, and the total hovers around the standard price for room and board at any college. I know he doesn't want to go there, but I didn't want to leave it hanging, the notion that that price is out of line.
that's $2500 a month for a shared apartment. It's way out of line with rents in the area ( probably double). Perhaps not out of line with college housing gauging.
conandrob240 said:
that's $2500 a month for a shared apartment. It's way out of line with rents in the area ( probably double). Perhaps not out of line with college housing gauging.
Assuming 9 months (school year) it's about $955/month and includes all utilities and an on-site gym.
no, it's $8600 per semester so x 2. And it's around 8 months. At least that's what someone indicated earlier. If it were for the school year, it's reasonable
conandrob240 said:
no, it's $8600 per semester so x 2. And it's around 8 months. At least that's what someone indicated earlier. If it were for the school year, it's reasonable
Ah-- OK. I wasn't looking at the figures. But now I see that's the most expensive. Cheapest is the three-bedroom at $5,805 per semester per person. Anyway, it's a moot point. I hope he lands someplace where he's happy and that's educationally appropriate for him.
maplegal said:
you got me curious.. i just looked it up that figure is for room and board... it covers a meal plan...
conandrob240 said:
$8,500 for one semester of shared housing?!? That's insane.
I understand that SI is not like NYC. To him, it's still more urban than he'd like and, let's face it, it's pretty hard to sell SI as a desirable living location. But the dorms do like nice. They'd better be for $2500 a month shared with 3 other students. Yikes!
It does not cover a meal plan. A meal plan is only required for two semesters, and thereafter can be as low as $800-ish per, depending on the choice.
conandrob240 said:
no, it's $8600 per semester so x 2. And it's around 8 months. At least that's what someone indicated earlier. If it were for the school year, it's reasonable
Rarely is on-campus housing ever for the full year. Summers are available (CSI and elsewhere for that matter), but that's a separate charge. And again, you're looking at the most expensive option... the least expensive one is over $4k less per year and in line with many colleges.
Location and costs are considerations in selecting a college; but, there are so many other factors to examine in making a good choice: quality of instruction, courses offered, campus culture, resources offered within the surrounding community, current and long term goals of the student, etc. What are his choices in these areas? What does he enjoy studying? What does he see himself doing after graduation? Which of the colleges to which he has been admitted best fit this criteria? If the plan is to transfer credits to a four year college, which of the schools he is considering would be most likely to offer credits that would be most likely to be accepted towards his major of choice once he selects one?
Regarding the NY Free option, how likely is he to complete the course of study within the required time frame? How likely is he to be able to uphold the time commitment required upon graduation? If either or both are unlikely, NY Free may not be so free after all.
slightly OT but I was listening to something on NPR awhile back and although the specifics are slightly fuzzy it was a conversation about free tuition vs. mentorship at a college in NYC. The speaker was talking about how important a mentor/advisor at school is for many students, to keep them on track. If I find it I will post the link.
SHH that is interesting because I was just thinking of someone I know who teaches at SI who could be a helpful advisor to this boy--she specializes in childhood loss/trauma...Con--PM me if this goes further...
I don't think your going to find housing options on any campus for much less. My daughter went to a NJ State school and paid about $12000 a year for housing. (that was the top shelf option her senior year) Anyway, if you'd like to come to CSI some time, I'd be happy to show you around and have you meet with someone who can give you specifics.
berkeley said:
SHH that is interesting because I was just thinking of someone I know who teaches at SI who could be a helpful advisor to this boy--she specializes in childhood loss/trauma...Con--PM me if this goes further...
I may know her. Mary?
Without knowing all of the schools this boy got into, it seems CSI is academically the best opportunity. CSI is a CUNY comprehensive college with both two-year and four-year options, and because it offers the associate degree it also offers extra academic boosts (including remediation) that would not be offered in a CUNY senior college such as Baruch or Queens, etc. It is possible to get a great education at CSI and there are plenty of dedicated faculty members there. I have followed this thread from time to time and it seems that since you are so involved in this boy's life, being 45 minutes away from him during his transition to college would be a good thing. I know a lot of young people have California on their minds, but going so far away to such a different environment seems risky for a teen in these circumstances. Why not start at a place like CSI with so much opportunity and consider a transfer later if he's so interested in going away? And if a CUNY school would truly provide free tuition, you cannot beat that. FYI, if that's under Cuomo's new proposal, the free tuition benefit is given with the proviso that the student live and work in New York State after graduation for a period equal to the period the student received the benefit.
The only concern I would have is taking advantage of the free tuition when he clearly want to move out of state sooner rather than later. If the free tuition requires he be in NY for another 2-4 years after college that might be a huge issue for him and decease his (already low) motivation.
For community schools, the "free" part frankly isn't all that beneficial. He already has a Pell grant around $4,800 which covers most of 2 year school tuition. Then $500 in TAP and eligible for a $5500 loan. So, really those come first before free tuition and will essentially cover it anyway. Tuition and fees at CUNY or Suffolk in NY is roughly $5500- 6500 for the year. So, I don't think the "free tuition" needs to trap him here. I think getting a 2 year degree in CUNY saving a lot of $ and then letting him be free to decide on the 4 yr school anywhere he wants is okay.My preference would be to take advtange if it all the way through next applying to a good SUNY school in 2 yrs but it doesn't have to be.
He got into IONA (4 yr private school super expensive), CUNY NY Tech in Brooklyn, CSI, Suffolk Community and 2 community schools in CA. Out of state tuition in CA is reasonable at those community schools -around $8,500-9,000 so we aren't talking about a huge cost difference. Either the NY community schools or the CA schools tuition will be covered by his FAFSA. For NY, it'll mean less of a loan for him (maybe $1000 vs $5000 annually)
I like CSI best for him as well but I can't make him go. He's sort of like, "well, if I can't go to CA screw it." He's willing to go to Suffolk community college but from what I know,it's not a very good school and it'll be depressing for him living at home for a number of reasons (bad home life, no friends). While I prefer the protection of dorm life for him, he is socially not strong and I think having a roommate he doesn't know would freak him out a bit.
My reaction to dorm housing costing $15,000+ a year is more about - heck, that's what he'd pay to share an apartment with this friend in CA so I am struggling. While I don't want him far away, an opportunity to have a companion to live with there is appealing. His paternal grandmother and aunt actually live about 90 minutes from LA in Santa Clarita/Green Valley. They are kind and decent people. He's interested in Santa Monica College or one of the ones in LA proper (LA City College). Possibly Irvine.
What's the downside of letting him go to California? Sounds like its the first thing he's excited about in a long time. Maybe it's exactly what he needs.
Boomie, that is why I'm leaning towards it. First downside is higher cost of living expenses- probably $20k a year as opposed to living at home ( obviously) and I'm not sure the court ruling for his father to pay for college will cover any of it meaning he'd get no support beyond the financial aid package. Second, is his readiness for such a move. He has no savings, he starts his first job on Monday so no established work history, doesn't have his license yet, and, in general, he's pretty clueless about life. And not in your typical 17 year old way- I mean really, really clueless and not self- reliant. With no credit or work history someone is going to have to sign for the apartment and maybe utilities. I trust him but the friend he's living with is someone I don't know so not too keen on signing off on stuff for a teen I don't know. Third, do you send a miserably sad kid 3,000 miles away and hope he find his joy or do you keep him close where you can watch in case "sad" turns into something more?
But, as we know, his home life sucks big time. He has few friends who he rarely sees (and they'll be off to college) and he just seems miserably sad all the time.
I'm not sure the right move here. As we know his parents are idiots so their opinions don't help. One has no role in his life anymore and one would say "living on the street would be fun if you get to be in CA. Lalalala"
the only other thing I've ever seen him excited about was the Walking Dead (the show and going to the convention last year)
Personally, I wouldn't send a depressed child 3,000 miles away. From what you describe he doesn't even sound ready for college. He'll still be the same person in California as he is in NY. Is it a good idea for him (and his dad) to take on debt in his circumstances?
I will say that it is very hard to establish residency in Cali if he has the notion that after year 1 he will be able to pay "in state" tuition. Its a tough call indeed. He could do his general ed at UCC, work while there, then go to Cali for the bachelors? He'd still be at home but working toward a goal and maybe be more ready for such a big move after two years of college.
Presumably his dad doesn't give a crap, and he's clueless (as are many incoming freshmen, admittedly). If it were my kid in this situation, there's not a chance in hell I'd send him across the country where I couldn't keep close tabs and check in. Its clear from his history that he needs it.
It's not clear whether he's even visited the schools in CA, but if not, taking a random flier on them simply because a friend is going and/or because it's, well, CA, seems like a bad and short-sighted basis for a major life decision with long-term implications. Even if he thinks (but cannot know) he will be "happy" there.
Please think about what will happen financially if he drops out. He—your nephew, not his dad—will have to start repaying the $5500 Stafford loan. The grace period is 6 months after you graduate or drop out or drop to less than full time. The loan is in the student's name. If he doesn't pay, it will affect his credit rating, his wages will be garnished, and any tax refund he's due will be withheld. Can you be sure he's ready to move through four years of college seamlessly so he can get a job to pay back those loans?
If he does go to college, I STRONGLY recommend that you purchase tuition insurance.
1) I don't care a single iota about whether his dad has to take on debt. Not even a slight concern. If he has to, he has to. too bad on him.shoujd have planned his life better and maybe he'll have to sell his new motorcycle or tap into his 401k. I could care less. And it's not like we're talking $100s of $1,000s. At most, $50k over 3-4 years. Not going to break him.
2) I'm not all that concerned about a kid having to pay back a year or two of a Stafford loan. If I had to, I'd pay the $10k if he had to drop out or if he's struggling to re-pay. It's not that big of a deal. I'm not going to let his wages be garnished or let him be ruined financially.
3) I am deeply concerned about his well-being and happiness. He is miserable at home in his current life. I want to help him. I'd prefer to help him by finding him a school locally but if the kid doesn't want that, I can't force him.
4) he lived in CA as a child and has visited a # of times. His grandmother and aunt live there fairly close by. So, while it is partially a silly teenage dream, he has some basis in going and done support. More so than other dreamers, maybe.
He's lived under someone's thumb his whole life. Continuing to do so may be far more detrimental than trying a move to CA. But maybe not. I have no absolutely no idea.
It's very hard to predict what a young person will do in new circumstances. As shoshannah says, he'll be the same person wherever he is, but sometimes a move really does lead to change.
I would advise against being a co-signer though, if you can avoid it. I did that, and it ended up costing me a lot.
believe me, Tom, I don't want to. I told him he has to save $5,000 to be able to give $3000 for security deposit and 1st months rent and have a cushion. His friend must have the same. From what I can tell, it's fairly impossible for a few 18 or even 19 year olds to get a decent apartment without credit, work history, landlord references so not sure how they'd do it without a co-signed. I will also be speaking to this friend's parents before doing anything if we go this route.
he's a good, kind, sweet, funny, smart person. He's good at his core. It's just that he's always suppressed by his mother. You can literally see him stand up taller and a light come over him even when she just steps away from him. It's incredibly sad.
this may have been discussed previously, but has he considered a gap year program? If he's eligible for financial aid maybe it would carry over to some programs. It's not a bad thing. It can really be beneficial and help him in many ways.
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