Parents of the High School Class of 2017/College 2021

[bethbuchall]

My DD's school does. I missed the deadline (bad mom!).

I think I'm joining you in that one. I got a notice right before Christmas. I didn't have time to deal with it then, and put it aside. I don't remember where, and I think the deadline is probably past. No mother-of-the-year again this year...at least I found out early.

 

[bethbuchall]

We don't have to arrange anything for the yearbook. DD just had to pick a senior quote. She had a couple picked out, one was more serious, about working hard or something, but I think what she's settled on is:

"Someday I will be a beautiful butterfly and everything will be better"- Heimlich from Bug's Life

She was obsessed with Bug's Life as a toddler and it is totally appropriate for her to do something funny and Disney as that is what she is known for at school. And I think she has become that beautiful butterfly She has really come a long way from the freshman that she felt no one ever noticed.

I absolutely love that quote!

Our school has the students submit a quote that they read while the student is walking up to get the diploma. They haven't asked yet, and I don't think my son has even thought about it. My oldest said something that I don't remember that was an inside joke between him and his girlfriend (now wife). I was expecting a Beatles quote from him. My daughter picked a line from a Mumford and Sons song ("Where you invest your love, you invest your life.")

 

[sk!mom]

That does sound like a large number, but using today's rates, not factoring in any rate increases, our state U is $25K for room, board, tuition. That's $100K for 4 years for a public school before you've even bought one book. Which, BTW is the ONLY school that DS hasn't heard from yet! Decision Day is 2/1, but there is a strong rumor that decisions will come out on Friday.

He's gotten into the 4 other schools he applied for, with 3 giving generous scholarships. We're just hoping for an admission to this last one, with no expectations of merit aid, and then hopefully he can make a decision! After seeing these scholarship letters come in, I wish I had pushed him harder to apply for more schools back in the fall. It's going to be a tough decision if he gets into the best of the 5 with no merit money and we are looking at 100K, versus half that at a few of the others (which may not be as good of a fit) if scholarships are factored in.

I don't think anyone is questioning the amount but whether or not it's wise to borrow that amount. My DD's school is 25K per year, DH and I had planned to pay 80K. She went into the search knowing that she would need 5K a year in scholarships or she would have to borrow that amount or choose the alternative of the local University and living at home. She has gotten 6-8K for her 1st 3 years and has a minimum of 6 but hopefully 8 for next year- just one year left! She got the scholarships so she got to choose her first choice school. She also knew that she would have to graduate in 4 years. She has worked a part time job all 3 years for spending money and this year has a paid internship, as well.

My nephew, who is graduating this year, knew that he had to choose a state University because his dad has the Hazelwood which will cover 150 hours of tuition. This is hopefully enough for grad school since he is going in with 30 hours of credit.

We won't sign any parental loans, so it wouldn't even be an option.

We will not take parent loans either. We're sacrificing for 4 years but will not leverage our future. We don't have enough work years left to pay back college loans.

I also don't think that $160K is really out of line for an education these days. Three of the schools that my DD applied to are in the $25K range and the other is close to $40K.

I've read that a student should not graduate from college with more than what their annual salary is times the percentage of graduates who find jobs in the student's field. For instance, if you're studying education and teachers in where you want to live make $40K and 90% of the graduates get jobs right out of college then you should have less than $36K in student loan debt. Frankly, I don't know how an average student from an average middle class family goes to these big schools. They don't make the cut off for merit scholarships and their families make too much for needs based scholarships. Heck, our local community college estimates the cost of one year staying away from home is $19K. Community college!

Speaking for the majority of families that I know, they either have savings set aside for college, prepaid tuition plans, or the income to cash flow it.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

DD got her first "no" today. She did not get in to University of Virginia (nursing). It was her reach school, so the decision was not entirely unexpected. She already had her heart set on James Madison University (she was accepted there) or Va Tech (still waiting to hear).

On a positive note - Her Senior pictures came today, and they are totally gorgeous!!!

 

[bethbuchall]

Another acceptance came today, but I'm pretty sure the school is completely out of reach financially, and I'm not sure how interested he is. We haven't even made the time for a visit yet, but will soon. The letter said that merit scholarship/financial aid info will be out the third week in February. So waiting for more...

 

[Poohforyou]

I asked my daughter if she cared whether we bought an ad and she said no. Thank goodness because there are too many type A moms here I don't need the stress of creating the perfect page.

 

[aprilgail]

I am working on my boys senior page for the yearbook. Any quotes, messages or picture ideas? I have searched Pinterest but still looking. I am doing messages from us, little brother and grandparents. I will probably do 6 or 7 pictures. Some individual and some of both of them and doing preschool picture as well as high school shots.

Oh boy I am SO glad our school does not do that! My daughter is one of the kids that is doing the yearbook this year- its done by a group of students- This year is all theater and art type kids on the committee so they decided to cut the sports pages down and add art and music ones- the sports always had twice as much as the other kids so now it is more even! Each kid gets their senior picture in there and a quote- I think its like a 8-10 word max. The rest is pictures of clubs, teams, and a bunch of Candid pictures. Each kid had 2 candid pages to work on. Can't have more pics than 1 of any kid on your candid page so they can't put in a dozen pics of themselves LOL.

I absolutely love that quote!

Our school has the students submit a quote that they read while the student is walking up to get the diploma. They haven't asked yet, and I don't think my son has even thought about it. My oldest said something that I don't remember that was an inside joke between him and his girlfriend (now wife). I was expecting a Beatles quote from him. My daughter picked a line from a Mumford and Sons song ("Where you invest your love, you invest your life.")

Our don't get read at graduation- with 400 kids that would take forever. They just read the names off. Last year one of the kids yearbook quote was hysterical. They print the name of the kid and then the quote. This poor kids name was Simba Mufasa "Smith"- his quote under his picture "Roarrrrr"

 

[robinb]

I asked my daughter if she cared whether we bought an ad and she said no. Thank goodness because there are too many type A moms here I don't need the stress of creating the perfect page.

My DD said it was OK too . I was also glad I forgot about it or I would be in the same boat trying to make the perfect page .

 

[robinb]

DD got her first "no" today. She did not get in to University of Virginia (nursing). It was her reach school, so the decision was not entirely unexpected. She already had her heart set on James Madison University (she was accepted there) or Va Tech (still waiting to hear).

On a positive note - Her Senior pictures came today, and they are totally gorgeous!!!

Bummer about the "no", I'm glad she's OK with it. Good luck with Virginia Tech!

Another acceptance came today, but I'm pretty sure the school is completely out of reach financially, and I'm not sure how interested he is. We haven't even made the time for a visit yet, but will soon. The letter said that merit scholarship/financial aid info will be out the third week in February. So waiting for more...

Great news!

 

[bethbuchall]

This doesn't happen to be SUNY Buffalo, does it? My ds is also interviewing for UB's Presidential. It used to be a FULL ride. Everything-books, room, board and tuition. DS#1 is a senior on that Presidential scholarship. They changed the scholarship this year to $15,000 flat. Still an incredible deal on an already affordable school.

We did get Saturday which is what we were hoping for. How about you?

 

[sk!mom]

You have no idea how much I have been talking to her about how much debt that she will come out of school with. We went through this with her sister two years ago and it makes me sick to know my older one will owe $60,000. This daughter will owe $160,000!!!! and we are lucky enough to go through this again next year with our youngest, lol

I keep thinking about this and have a question, How are students taking out loans in that high amount?

My DD's financial aid package includes about $5000 in unsubsidized loans and then the remainder is offered in Parent Plus loans. How is a college student borrowing 40K a year?

 

[J'aime Paris]

I keep thinking about this and have a question, How are students taking out loans in that high amount?

My DD's financial aid package includes about $5000 in unsubsidized loans and then the remainder is offered in Parent Plus loans. How is a college student borrowing 40K a year?

It's my understanding that they cannot. Alt least not without a co-signer. That puts mom and dad on the hook too!

 

[sksjasams]

I keep thinking about this and have a question, How are students taking out loans in that high amount?
My DD's financial aid package includes about $5000 in unsubsidized loans and then the remainder is offered in Parent Plus loans. How is a college student borrowing 40K a year?

It's my understanding that they cannot. Alt least not without a co-signer. That puts mom and dad on the hook too!

Correct. If the parent did not borrow PLUS loans, the student could borrower alternative loans, but the parent would still need to cosign.

 

[v.t.]

I rewrote it......

XXXXster, Princess, Smalls or Brat, you answer to them all.


You “is” Smart. You “is” Kind. You “is” Loving. You “is” Beautiful.
Perhaps a Pastry Chef, Teacher, Scientist, Doctor or President?
Whatever you do, you WILL change the world.
No matter the path, you will always have our love and support.

Educate yourself with enthusiasm, embrace the unknown, seek adventure, take a chance, have fun and know we are very proud of you.

Love you,
Dad, Mom and Brother

I like that, it fits my DS2 perfect, he has no idea what he will be. LOL

We don't have to arrange anything for the yearbook. DD just had to pick a senior quote. She had a couple picked out, one was more serious, about working hard or something, but I think what she's settled on is:

"Someday I will be a beautiful butterfly and everything will be better"- Heimlich from Bug's Life

She was obsessed with Bug's Life as a toddler and it is totally appropriate for her to do something funny and Disney as that is what she is known for at school. And I think she has become that beautiful butterfly She has really come a long way from the freshman that she felt no one ever noticed.

That is perfect for her. I have pictures of the boys when they were 4 as Peter Pan and Captain Hook, so I think we will have a Peter Pan quote for their Disney fix. Or I could put their pictures with Chip and Dale, (when they were shorter then the characters and the last picture taken, with Chip and Dale looking up at them) LOL You have to get Disney in their some way.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Bummer about the "no", I'm glad she's OK with it. Good luck with Virginia Tech!

Great news!

Thanks robinb!

 

[v.t.]

DD got her first "no" today. She did not get in to University of Virginia (nursing). It was her reach school, so the decision was not entirely unexpected. She already had her heart set on James Madison University (she was accepted there) or Va Tech (still waiting to hear).

On a positive note - Her Senior pictures came today, and they are totally gorgeous!!!

So sorry about the no, but it sounds like she already has her decision made. And great pictures make everything better!

 

[Tinijocaro]

We did get Saturday which is what we were hoping for. How about you?

DS got Friday which is a packed day for him-Science Olympiad, hockey Senior night, physical therapy and now this. Too much all at once!

 

[bethbuchall]

DS got Friday which is a packed day for him-Science Olympiad, hockey Senior night, physical therapy and now this. Too much all at once!

I'm sorry! That is rough! We lucked out on the timing. Swim senior night is tomorrow, and they have no meets next week. He'll just miss a couple of practices. He does Sci Oly, too, but there isn't anything next week. He was hoping to do a team trivia event, but that isn't really a big deal.

Good luck again!

 

[Tinijocaro]

I'm sorry! That is rough! We lucked out on the timing. Swim senior night is tomorrow, and they have no meets next week. He'll just miss a couple of practices. He does Sci Oly, too, but there isn't anything next week. He was hoping to do a team trivia event, but that isn't really a big deal.

Good luck again!

Good luck to you too! DH and I are not sure if we are going with him. We are both teachers and have already had to miss school for various reasons. I think DS will want to go alone. He flew alone to Boston this summer for college tours and got around the city quite well. Almost had to stay over due to a storm but made it home. He really enjoyed seeing that he could do all that without his parents. I guess I'll leave it up to him if he wants one of us to go or not.

 

[aprilgail]

DS got Friday which is a packed day for him-Science Olympiad, hockey Senior night, physical therapy and now this. Too much all at once!

My daughter has Science Olympiads on Saturday too. She had off from school most of this week but they still went in to get ready for the competition on Saturday.
One of the colleges my daughter got accepted to sent new aid package today- I request a increase in aid due to the fact that I don't make as much as my 2015 taxes so that I do- so they gave 8,000 more in aid which actually makes it a bit more manageable- down to 14,000 for the year. So unfortunately this is her bottom choice but hopefully others will come in around there by the time we are done.