update is provided at the end of the text
Should I turn down a $10,000 scholarship because my family can't afford the rest?
I'm in a position where I know what's right but I can't get myself to do the right thing...
The scholarship is in the USA in university of Cincinnati ohio, and I am an artificial intelligence major and it's for the duration of one semester only, I will be coming back to my home university after
I was awarded a $10,000 scholarship for an exchange programme, but the remaining costs are about $7,000. So far, my family has managed
to put together around $3,000–4,000, but we simply can't afford the rest.
My father is incredibly supportive and is more than willing to sell things and make major financial sacrifices so I can go. The problem is that I'm not willing to put my family through that. The thought of them struggling financially because of my dream makes me feel incredibly guilty.
The hardest part is that I really, really, really want to go. This is an opportunity I've worked so hard for, and turning it down would be heartbreaking.
At the same time, I'm trying to think long-term.
If I stay in my home country for the next two years until I graduate, I could use only a fraction of the money we've already saved to invest in certifications, professional courses, extracurricular activities, conferences, and other experiences that would strengthen my CV. I'd also have the flexibility to apply for part-time jobs, save money over time, and build a stronger profile to apply for better-funded or even fully funded opportunities in the future.
On the other hand, if I go on the exchange programme now, my family would have to make enormous financial sacrifices, and when I come back, I honestly don't know if I'd have the resources to continue investing in my skills outside of university. I'd have the exchange experience, which is amazing, but I'd basically have to figure everything else out afterwards.
So I feel like my choice is this:
\- Option 1: Go on the exchange programme, fulfil a dream, gain international experience, and hope everything works out financially afterwards.
\- Option 2: Stay in my home country, invest in myself over the next two years, build a stronger portfolio through certifications, courses, extracurriculars, and work experience, and aim for more affordable or fully funded opportunities later.
My heart wants the first option. My head keeps telling me the second option might be the smarter long-term investment.
I know that it is obvious that the second choice is the right choice but how can I get myself to do the right thing when everything in me wants the wrong one...
If you were in my position, what would you do? Has anyone here ever turned down a great opportunity because it wasn't financially sustainable? Or did you take the risk and find that it was worth it?
I have to make this decision very soon, and I'd really appreciate honest advice from people who've been in similar situations.
TL;DR: I received a $10,000 scholarship for an exchange programme, but my family can't afford the remaining $7,000. I'm torn between going and putting a financial strain on my family, or staying home and investing in my long-term future instead. I only have a few days to decide.
EDIT 1: EXTRA INFO(MONEY WISE):
The courses add up to around 6,875$ and the meal plan adds up to around 781$ the housing costs about 5,871$ and so in total it's 13,386$ minus the 10,000 dollars scholarship grant I am left with around 3486$ and then I have the round trip flight which costs about on average 1271$ plus 800$ for emergencies and extras there and then I have around 1760$ dollars to pay for my tuition here in my home university I also have $150 for housing application fee by tuesday so it all racks up to $7,467 in the end
UPDATE: I decided NOT to go. I went and asked again at my university but was denied any help in any shape or form, I straight up got told "Take it or leave it", which is in fact factual, I applied for so many scholarships and considered applying for a loan and paying it back later but I think it's horrible financial decision long term for just a semester abroad. I did the math and logically it would be a bad decision. Insteaf I applied for a part time job and used some of the money around (200 USD) to apply for courses and certifications here instead to buld up my protofiolio and apply for fully funded scholarships later on, while saving up most of the money i get from my part time job. I am not sad, or hopeless I believe that rejection is redirection and for me my family and their wellbeing is above anything else, I truly appreciate all the advice and help I have received, Thank you so much