Advice please...

DC,

Welcome to the HS Baseball Web! Since you haven't received any replies yet, I'll just share a few thoughts.

That sounds like a tough situation, and I don't think any of us can really advise you because we don't know your financial situation or what your other options are.

At most colleges, if classes have not begun yet you can still withdraw and not owe tuition. Have you checked your school's website to verify that? Are there any other costs that would not be refundable, such as dorm rental?

A few more questions...

How much more expensive is this semester than what you had expected... a few thousand dollars, or tens of thousands? And what are your other options for school this semester? Would you attend a junior college, or is there another school where you were previously accepted which would still be able to admit you?

And how important is baseball in this whole mix?

It's a good thing that you are looking at your situation realistically and asking tough questions. We'll need a little more info to help provide some perspective from our own families' experiences, but of course only you can decide the right path.

I will say that as a parent of two boys who have both attended college with very small amounts of scholarship/grant money, we honestly could not afford it. For both sons, we dug up the money to keep them in college through debts that have not been comfortable for our family.

Was it worth it? I don't know for sure. I do believe that going to college was worth it, but perhaps if either or both of them had attended less expensive schools, or pursued scholarship money as a higher priority in choosing a school, their college experience might have been just as positive, while leaving us with a more comfortable situation now. But we don't have any regrets - it's all good.

If you care to share a few more details, perhaps some other members can help with their thoughts.

Julie

quote:

Originally posted by dcarnason:

First of all I would like to say that I've been a long time reader, but first time poster. I usually can find the information I need without having to create a topic for myself, but this situation is different.

Here is my situation:

I'm currently enrolled for my first semester at a two year DII school. They had told me that I would be paying xx amount of dollars for the semester. However, when I arrived on campus, I had found that number to be much higher then expected.

I've talked to the coach about this, and he seems to think that it is not an overly big deal. However, with my financial situation it basically makes or breaks me going to school.

Would it be wise for me to withdraw from classes this semester and look to transfer elsewhere?

Thanks for your time,

DC

DC, it's great to have you here on HSBBW!

MN-MOM has posed some very good questions to you in order for some direction, and food for thought.

I re-read your post and I was wondering if you were promised/guranteed any baseball money from the coach and that amount changed, or was the amount you were told by the school different than what you were originally told?

You say, "they told me". Who is they? The admissions folks or the Coach?

quote:

Was it worth it? I don't know for sure. I do believe that going to college was worth it, but perhaps if either or both of them had attended less expensive schools, or pursued scholarship money as a higher priority in choosing a school, their college experience might have been just as positive, while leaving us with a more comfortable situation now. But we don't have any regrets - it's all good.

very insightful !!!

quote:

How much more expensive is this semester than what you had expected... a few thousand dollars, or tens of thousands?

Its a few thousand dollars more, but to attend this university there was really no more room for additional cost.

quote:

And what are your other options for school this semester? Would you attend a junior college, or is there another school where you were previously accepted which would still be able to admit you?

The other options for school this semester are unfortunately, limited. The best option I have as of now would be to return home and hopefully be accepted as a late admission at my hometown university.

quote:

And how important is baseball in this whole mix?

I would like to consider it fairly important but not the entire factor in my decision. If I can find somewhere affordable, great. If I can't, then I'm likely to return home.

Thanks for sharing, is this a out of state JUCO or 4 year school?

Did the scholarship amount change as you came into to school or did you have to pay out of state fees unexpectedly?

Did local JUCO's already start where you can play?

dc,
Go to fin-aid & ask them about all options (loans (parent or student), grants, academic $'s) before you make a decision. There may be opportunities at your school you aren't aware of, or even State monies...leave no stone unturned!

Are you in a bordering "home state"...even if you aren't, ask for "out of state tuition" be waived...tell financial officer that this increase created a "hardship" for you & your family (proof required)...a case may be made here & they would rather help you out with a couple K, rather than loose an entire tuition paying student. NEGOTIATE!! It's worth the effort!
Good luck.

One of the other problems is that tuition generally rises 5% a year. These colleges can be brutal about being paid prior to each semester. Exhaust all your options as advised. They also often demand that you get insurance through the school. That was $900 for us. Some will accept your existing insurance and some won't.

Welcome to the HSBBW.
I hope that everyone is reading this and understands that there are often times hidden costs which are not explained during the recruiting period. Whether it be medical fees, lab fees, cafeteria fees,rising tuition and housing costs, books, etc. (unlimited plan vs. meals per month) these are things to consider and to ask about before you decide to attend. This would be in any situation regardless of baseball.
You need to go to the business office as baseballmom suggests, and this should not be all your problem, it was the coaches responsibility to explain all costs to you, even the unexpected ones and your responsibility to ask the business office what it would cost you to attend this fall.