Should I stay at Michigan State or transfer?

[secretsaucer]

I am about to enter my junior year of college studying physics and have completed the previous 2 years at Michigan State. But due to a recent funding issue I am considering transferring to University of Illinois at Chicago. I am wondering if anyone would have some useful advice on whether this would be a wise choice. I am out of state in Michigan and already have 80k of debt. Should I stick it out there or should I transfer to UIC and save myself 40k? Any advice would be appreciated.


Thank you in advance!

 

[micromass]

Please transfer. A debt of 160k is not worth it.

 

[dustbin]

Please transfer. A debt of 160k is not worth it.

What he said. I have as much debt as you from my first stint at college... even that much is not worth it.

 

[YYaaSSeeRR]

of course transfer ,you will need years to pay that debt.
if you think it is worth it then I think there is something wrong with your mind :D (no offense).

 

[mathwonk]

That's a lot of debt. I'm surprised it is possible for a college sophomore to even borrow that much. Someone is trying to obligate much of your future earnings before you even turn 21.

 

[Vanadium 50]

I don't understand how it's possible to get into this situation.

MSU's financial aid page says "As of today, June 22nd 2013, MSU has offered 40,538 students a total amount of over $1,132,383,191 in financial aid for the 2013-14 award year!"

That means that just under 85% of the students receive an average aid package of $28,000. Since they charge $40K a year, this means you must have received close to zero in financial aid. Usually such people have sufficient resources that they do not have to take out 100% or close to 100% of the cost of college out in loans.

If I were in your shoes, I wouldn't be asking "Where can I transfer for half as much?" I'd be asking "Where can I transfer for free or almost-free". Asking whether you want to be $160K or $120K in debt after four years is like asking if its better to cut off a hand or a foot.

 

[jasonRF]

I would cut off the foot - it would be too hard to type with one hand and losing a foot would get me out of work travel! Just kidding.

In all seriousness, this amount of debt is astounding. Posts like this make me feel very sorry for young people today who are trying to make a start on life. I don't understand how our system has gotten so out of whack.

I would transfer.

Today.