Financial Aid Decision

[outriding01]

I really need to make a decision by tomorrow on how much of my loan money to accept for this semester and I just can't seem to settle on an amount! I'm trying to keep my debt to a reasonable level. As of now I have taken out $4600 since entering college in 2006. All my loans are subsidized which means no interest until I graduate and I don't have to start repaying until 6 months after I graduate. I have $2750 available this semester and my tuition will be $1740. I have money already saved to cover books. My parents cover rent, bills, groceries and a bit of spending money as long as my grades are good, which they are. I have 3 horse shows this semester at about $100 each. I have some cash saved up from Christmas as well...
At the bare minimum I need enough to cover tuition. But beyond that I really can't decide how much to take since i want to take as little as possible but still have enough to not be constantly broke. Most of the spending money they give me goes towards caring for my animals and eating on campus since I have to have lunch on campus 3 days a week because of my schedule. Anyone have any ideas or suggestions on what I should do or how I should decide? Anything I haven't taken into consideration?

[Stalknndashadows]

Personally? I've only taken out $1000 over tuition per semester. That way I have a bit of play in case something happens yet I'm not taking the max amount and burying myself in dept too bad.

[mare]

IF you have really good self-control... I don't see a problem with accepting extra and LEAVING it in the bank for emergencies like car repairs, medical, etc. You can give it back if you don't use it.

My youngest does that. The middle child... well... let's just say she looked really good that first semester and will now have to pay interest on what amounted to an American Eagle and Buckle loan. She now only takes the minimum and scrapes by on that.

[outriding01]

Yeah, $1000 over is definitely more than I'm considering. Basically I'm stuck somewhere between $200 and $500 extra. I'm generally a responsible spender but there's stuff that I could use that I've been doing without. I can continue to do without and it's not completely necessary stuff but I'm afraid I'll give in and spend whatever extra I borrow on that..... Plus spring break is this semester. Ugh, I hate money!

[42many]

If you are pretty much going to spend whatever you get out, get out the minimum amount needed to survive and just use that. It is always best not to spend money you don't have... and definitely a bonus not to owe gobs of money as soon as you get out of school! Especially now, considering how difficult is is these days for a recent grad to get a job.