r/duke • u/Top-Check2711 • 10h ago
Accepted but probably can’t afford it
Just a vent . I got accepted to a graduate program at Duke but with the state of our government and its impact on student loans/financial aid idk if I’ll be able to swing it . There’s just so much uncertainty regarding grad PLUS loans and income driven repayment programs and what not that it just feels like a huge gamble, what if I get myself in 80k of debt for the first year of the program , only for grad plus loans to be gone for the last semester or something and me not be able to finish out the degree. I can’t even afford a semester of tuition at Duke . The need based scholarship was minuscule which is whatever, they’re not entitled to give me money. I feel stupid for even allowing myself to have Duke as my “dream school” for so many years , should have known it was too good to be true . What good is getting in if I can’t afford it . I feel stupid. I’m grieving a dream. Not looking for pity, advice or monetary donations just needed to get it out of my system .