Help with the University's cost of attendance and loans?

NEVER look at THEIR total cost estimation on their website.  It's all bullsh*t and lies.  Multiply what they tell you the cost of attendance is by about 7.                       

Have you gotten your official offer of financial aid from the university? This seems awfully early. Did your parents fill out the FAFSA? You may qualify for other financial aid beyond the scholarships.  A lot depends on how much the university wants you. My daughter got wildly different financial aid offers- from 0 to almost a full ride, based on whether the school wanted her. As for the student loans- there are all kinds of things going on in Washington- from a $10,000 student loan forgiveness, to additional student aid that will minimize your debt in future years. You're lucky that you're starting during Biden's term- no thanks to Alabama! If you're going to be in Tuscaloosa, I have a few words of advice:

1. Keep your political opinions to yourself. Either way, it's going to get you in trouble.

2. Show reverence for Bear Bryant ( you'll be attending events in Bear Bryant stadium, on Bear Bryant Drive)- he's a former football coach ranked just slightly below Jesus in the eyes of Alabamans. 

3. Pretend to be interested in football, even if you aren't. Football is a religion in Alabama.

4. Pretend to be religious, even if you aren't, People in Alabama go to church twice on Sunday and once in the middle of the week. 

As a freshman, you are required to live in campus housing your freshman year.  The housing estimate for Alabama is about $14,000 a year.  After your scholarships, that is pretty much your total direct cost.  So if you need loans for all of your housing costs for 4 years it would come out to just under $60,000 total.  You may or may not find it cheaper to live off campus in future years, but you need to consider the costs of rent, utilities, groceries, etc - things that are covered by your campus housing costs.  

You could see if you qualify for additional private scholarships.  You may qualify for a work study program on campus, which allows you to work a campus job to earn money toward your expenses.  

these questions should be addressed to the financial aid office at UAB [i assume Birmingham ... please choose correct campus]

The University of Alabama requires all freshman students to live in their dormitories. So there’s not much you can do about that. Have you looked at their total cost estimation?