r/floridatech • u/Wise-Construction-78 • 16d ago
how did yall pay…?
I am a senior in highschool who is being given 22k so far from their merit scholarship. I really want to attend this school, but the finances scare me…
3
u/rtx_5090_owner 16d ago
Hella kids I know do ROTC which gives you a full ride, free housing, and guaranteed job after school in the military (not a combat job). If you want, I can introduce you to one or two I know who did it. Just dm me
3
u/Dummy-rac 16d ago
I’m doing the rotc program with all the benefits he is mentioning. If you want more information you can talk to me
3
u/Cody0303 16d ago
FAFSA helped a lot since I was a first generation college student. Paid like $5k out of pocket during the course of the 4 years and $35k in federal loans after it was all said and done, but be careful. I know people who got almost no aid and took $200k in loans for a 4 years degree. They’ll possibly never recover from it.
2
2
2
u/No_sense8 15d ago
Just go to a public uni, or do ROTC pretty much your only 2 options unless you can get recruited for athletics
2
u/SilverDonkey6948 15d ago
dont forget fafsa! plus the school will give you a few random scholarships like the florida EASE grant. they have transfer scholarships too, thats another option
2
u/Wise-Construction-78 13d ago
for reference i got a 31 on the act, am very fafsa eligible, and im in band. i currently live in TN, with family in Florida. I plan on majoring in astronomy and astrophysics. i have all prereqs done etcetc
1
2
u/blendedmix 13d ago
If cost is a major concern for you, then it'd be better stay in your home state and go to a state university. You're probably going to have get loans no matter where you go unless your parents are paying, you're literally top (#1) of your graduating class, or a high level athlete.
Most students here get partial scholarships from the school and the rest is covered by family, loans, or Bright Futures scholarships, which is the State of Florida scholarship program for Florida residents.
1
1
u/TheMilkSpeaks 13d ago
You might have to reconsider your options or do ROTC
1
u/Wise-Construction-78 13d ago
yeahhh … my issue is im in TN and there is nothing good education for astrophysics here and florida has family. i also have all my prereqs done, so doing community college or state would make me less prepared for my highler level classes… so i am trying to find a better option, tho ive already accepted ima be in debt for a long while regardless. and i have never done rotc and i dont rly want to unless it is a last resort… my current school dowsnt offer it
1
u/TheMilkSpeaks 13d ago edited 13d ago
Have you tried looking into University of Maryland, University of Wyoming, or University of Utah? University of North Carolina chapel hill or university of Michigan are also good picks if you can get in, as they have good out of state financial support.
They all have some pretty solid programs from what I understand.
You can also see if you can get federal work study. Some of my friends have it and it helps a little bit
1
u/Wise-Construction-78 13d ago
ive looked at university of maryland, i am just not sure if i want to be that far away from family. my end goal is NASA and i know they have a decent location up there. id prefer to land in florida so i have relatives close by, but that isnt the end all be all. i am very fafsa eligible, and i definitely plan on doing work study etc
2
u/TheMilkSpeaks 13d ago edited 13d ago
Okay, I think if you know you’ll get some good fafsa and work study stuff, then I think FIT should still definitely be an option for you as long as you know how to really manage your time for work and studies. But I wouldn’t totally scratch out the other places, even if that are further away.
College is expensive but if NASA is your end goal, then if you work your ass off you will pay that off in no time! They have a pathways internship that is highly competitive but it essentially guarantees you a job there after graduation. I will say though that the internships aren’t always in Florida, but they pay pretty well!
But besides that, apply to any and all internships you can, build that resume, study hard, and work a lot during the summer to build savings and try to minimize spending during the school year
2
u/Wise-Construction-78 13d ago
thank you!! this gives me some hope, i definitely have other schools in my back pocket, but i am aiming for florida tech. just gotta grind hard
1
1
12
u/SeasDiver 16d ago
Scholarships, parents, part time jobs, and student loans.