Man. Really gonna pay for that.

Yesterday, at what feels like 'long last', though it's probably been 6 weeks at most, I got my financial aid package.


It's about $3k less than I expect to want to spend. And it's all federal funds (the program is through Purdue, so I'm eligible to borrow from the government. Typically, the US gov't doesn't contribute to the cost of educating citizens overseas). I am ... relieved? I think? This has absolutely been something preying on the back of my mind, adding to stress when I let myself think about it.


Interestingly, that $3k is the expected cost of the study abroad programs. So it makes sense the school wouldn't budget that for me (not being open for registration for another 5-6 months!). I just wonder if I can get an additional loan from the gov't for them, at a later date. ... and if I would really want to. It's a lot of debt. 


I honestly didn't know what to expect, and am super delighted about how easy this all has been, so far. The amount (just over $47k) is alarming to consider as a lump sum. Super scary. On the other hand, it's my tuition room, board, transportation ... basically it doesn't cover random souvenirs. I think I can deal. 


And here's a thought: I paid $22k-ish to Stetson over 18 months, with no debt at the end. I can do this. And I expect I can do it in under 5 years .... depending, of course, on my post-graduation employment status.


I've already completed my entrance counselling, required to accept the loans, and accepted the loans online through the Purdue portal.


Spending all that money, and more:



So now I'm considering whether it makes sense to attempt to pay the interest on the big, non-subsidized, interest accruing while I'm in school loan. It'll be under $2000, and will keep my bill at graduation under $50k. It's definitely  too soon to budget fully for next year, but it's a thought I'm thinking.


My savings goal is to have $10,000 in the bank when I graduate, to live on while I'm job-hunting. The question is how compatible that goal is with:

• paying interest
• paying a gym
• paying a cell-phone data-plan
• making the absolute most of this opportunity and seeing as much of Europe as I possibly can
• doing the abroad programs ... hopefully all three of them
• paying for internet access wherever I end up living
• buying health insurance for while I'm there (required for my visa)

That list is the order in which items will fall off / be eliminated from my spending, if I start running out of money. At least I think it is. My family might argue about the cell phone, but I figure as long as I have internet access we can Skype. Right? Right. 

In the meantime, I have a laundry list of things to buy before I go, or possibly while I'm there:

• Laptop
• iPod ... maybe. Probably. 
• Camera
• Phone
• Kindle birthday gift!
• Shoes in progress
• Suit this one is annoying. It won't fit for long, is the problem
• Winter Jacket possibly get my winter coat altered? do I need a coat AND a jacket?
• Sunglasses done
• Ticket to Hanover
• Round-trip ticket to Boston & back for Christmas done. Flying Swiss
• Ticket home?
• EuRail pass for the 1st 6 months
• InterRail pass for after that
• International driver's license
• School supplies (notebook? pens, paper ... crap, a printer? probably)

And on top of all that: I need to determine, for my belongings, what I'm selling, donating and keeping, and make arrangements for all, especially get the 'keeping' items into storage. By the end of July. 

And, oh yeah, I'm going to Greece for 2 weeks for the Special Olympics (go Mike!!), and visiting my brother in Annapolis for a weekend, so that's some more plane tickets (purchased, not yet paid for). 

Plus! Getting the crap I'm bringing with me (see the laundry list above, plus clothes. Hangers? Linens?? Some 'essential' kitchen equipment???)! Most airlines are now limiting people to 1 bag, 50 lbs. I just ... there's no way. So I'll have to ship it there, and possibly back when I'm done. Though admittedly I expect to have way fewer clothes when I leave than when I arrive. 

So, right now I'm both saving like crazy and ramping up the spending. There's a fun tug-of-war. One thing I did do was take out a credit card that will, once I spend $1000, give me 35,000 miles with American Airlines. I bought my ticket to Greece and some shoes, so I've blown right through that. As soon as I pay that off (May) I'll cancel the card, but in the meantime, I've got myself enough points for a free ticket anywhere in the world. 

It's going to be awhile, I think, before my pocket feels quite so capable.