[Serious] Uni decision

[Magickiller9]

Hi guys, I got a place in SMU SIS but my poly GPA is around 3.6. I know there's no way I can get a scholarship with that kind of result. So i'm actually considering studying part time/full time in SIM (get scholarship) and work full time as my parents are not young. By the time i'm out of army next year they would be nearing 60 and it's impossible for them to work forever to pay for HDB loans, electricity and my brother's school fee etc. Although i can work part time while studying full time in SMU, the amount most likely enough to pay for the school fee only, quite hard to include my expenses or household expenses. The only other way is for me to sign on in army which i'm honestly not interested unless situation press for it.

So any suggestion or guidance? I'm really confused to what to do, been thinking about this every night for the past 6 months.

 

[Havok_ex]

Sociologists have determined that one of the biggest problems that poverty-laden people have is that they seem to always choose short-term goals over long-term goals. The biggest problem with this is that short-term goals always have lesser returns and they suffer in the long term, hence continuing the cycle of poverty.

As is in your case, you would choose a short-term goal, working full-time now, getting an income now, and graduating faster. Whereas going to SMU will give you better long-term returns since SMU degrees command a higher pay and you will have more opportunities and a higher income ceiling.

Anyone here will tell you, choose SMU, for your sake and for your parents' sake. You would think that getting an income now would be better. But I can tell you that its not the right decision. Go to SMU, get a higher pay when you graduate and continue earning more than your SIM peers down the road.

Your parents are probably going to live for quite a long time. Little well-known fact is that Singaporeans have the THIRD longest life expectancy. We are only behind Japan and Andorra.

Source:
List of countries by life expectancy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This means your parents will live longer, meaning that they are going to incur heavier medical costs and maintenance costs. Costs that will burgeon you if your salary down the line is not high enough. Take a bank loan and pay it off after you graduate. If you worry about money, there are bursaries that pay out 3.6k-5k per year. That can amount to 20k in your four years. And who's to say that you cant get a scholarship down the road? If you study hard enough and get good grades, you might be eligible for a mid-term scholarship during your time of study.

 

[intime]

Hi guys, I got a place in SMU SIS but my poly GPA is around 3.6. I know there's no way I can get a scholarship with that kind of result. So i'm actually considering studying part time/full time in SIM (get scholarship) and work full time as my parents are not young. By the time i'm out of army next year they would be nearing 60 and it's impossible for them to work forever to pay for HDB loans, electricity and my brother's school fee etc. Although i can work part time while studying full time in SMU, the amount most likely enough to pay for the school fee only, quite hard to include my expenses or household expenses. The only other way is for me to sign on in army which i'm honestly not interested unless situation press for it.

So any suggestion or guidance? I'm really confused to what to do, been thinking about this every night for the past 6 months.

As stated by Havok_ex, there are enough financial assistance in SMU to help you with your full tuition fees.
- There might even be some money left from the bursaries after paying your tuition fees.
- There is no need for you to have a daily part-time job, just have a once or twice a week job will do.
- Example, Tuition Fee Loan, Study Loan, SMU Bursaries, CDC/CCC Bursary, Private Bursaries, Emergency grants.

Have you spoke with your parents & brother about what you think? And their finances?
Example, your SMU studies, their age, their debts, and your brother's fees.
If not, speak to them, hear what they say.
- There might be a scenario where you think too much and carry burdens that are not yours to take.
- They might tell you those are not your responsibilities, and your responsibility is to study hard and focus on your future.
- If your parents did not attend university, they might dream of their children entering university. Thus, they will do their best to support you, regardless how difficult it is.
- It is for your parents to decide whether they can or want to work as they approach 60 yrs old. Not you.

The housing loan.
- Unless the house is also under your name, please don't carry this unnecessary burden.
- It is only 4 years of studies, after graduating, if you wish to, you can contribute to their loan.
- If you do not know, the repayment period for housing loans can be extremely long, there is no need to eagerly repay the loan now.

Brother's school fees.
- Where is your brother studying? Why are you carrying this burden? He would probably be thinking about the same thing, on not wanting to burden your parents and you.
- That is a matter for your brother and parents to communicate. Not you, you are practically a 3rd party on this.

 

[patryn33]

I have to agree with intime, please speak to your family. It is a family decision. What's the pt worrying and over thinking, getting all stress out.
If your bro is sensible he will find a way to help himself.

 

[walkofwinners]

Take study loan and apply for financial assistance in school.

Not worth risking your education especially in Singapore where paper qualification is everything that gives u a decent job.

Take a study loan, pay it off once u get a job and you will have a decent pay enough to support your family.

 

[Nosferato4]

Hi guys, I got a place in SMU SIS but my poly GPA is around 3.6. I know there's no way I can get a scholarship with that kind of result. So i'm actually considering studying part time/full time in SIM (get scholarship) and work full time as my parents are not young. By the time i'm out of army next year they would be nearing 60 and it's impossible for them to work forever to pay for HDB loans, electricity and my brother's school fee etc. Although i can work part time while studying full time in SMU, the amount most likely enough to pay for the school fee only, quite hard to include my expenses or household expenses. The only other way is for me to sign on in army which i'm honestly not interested unless situation press for it.

So any suggestion or guidance? I'm really confused to what to do, been thinking about this every night for the past 6 months.

From what you tell me, you seem to have some financial difficulty. No fret, Neither Local U's here will deny you an education opportunity because of financial status.

You may apply for:

Financial Aid
Financial Aid | SMU Undergraduate Admissions 2014

Very self-explanatory. You can be given up to 100% coverage on your course fees with tution fee loan and study loan combined

Financial needs calculator
Thank you for using our e-services.

Use this to calculate your much needed financial assistance sum

Bursary
SMU-Administered Bursaries | Singapore Management University (SMU)

Dosen't seem like much, but I think you can stack other bursaries and subsidies to make it count!

Scholarships and awards

Scholarships
Scholarships | Singapore Management University (SMU)

Awards
Awards | Singapore Management University (SMU)

Please don't ever have the mindset that you won't get "x" scholarships because of "y" grades... SMU does not just look solely at grades only... Out of 1/12 students there have a scholarship on estimate. So yes, please do apply for scholarship because it will really help you a lot. Mainstream scholarships subsidies your school fees by 100% and covers your general expenses+laptop+overseas exchange trips by an amount

If you do manage to land scholarship + successful financial assistance application+ Bursary, I think it is safe to say that =>90% of your financial troubles will be solved.

Brochure on Financial assistance you may find helpful
SMU Infographics: Financial Aid Guide 2014 | Singapore Management University (SMU)

For assistance in other matters contact the Financial Assistance Office
finasst@smu.edu.sg

Tel: +65 6808 5329, 6808 5204, 6808 5199, 6828 0486, 6828 0453, 6828 0501, 6828 0160


To wrap things up, don't deny yourself an opportunity of receiving quality education in Singapore. This isn't 40-50 years ago where we were a third world country xD

There are many of opportunities for you if you are willing to seek it out and make use of it!

 

[chiwawa23]

SMU is definitely better than SIM as it's a local uni and u will come out and grad in good stead if u go to SMU over SIM. If u are worried about finance, u can always seek financial assistance from the uni as mentioned. Also, please do think of the future as long term and see a larger pic and not just see the short term and small pic only. Hope this helps

 

[zero_88]

Hi guys, I got a place in SMU SIS but my poly GPA is around 3.6. I know there's no way I can get a scholarship with that kind of result. So i'm actually considering studying part time/full time in SIM (get scholarship) and work full time as my parents are not young. By the time i'm out of army next year they would be nearing 60 and it's impossible for them to work forever to pay for HDB loans, electricity and my brother's school fee etc. Although i can work part time while studying full time in SMU, the amount most likely enough to pay for the school fee only, quite hard to include my expenses or household expenses. The only other way is for me to sign on in army which i'm honestly not interested unless situation press for it.

So any suggestion or guidance? I'm really confused to what to do, been thinking about this every night for the past 6 months.

Bro, I got the same GPA as u last year, I get into NTU CS

if I am you I will go SMU IS, because you can always take a bank loan, money shld not be a issue for u to pursue education

 

[lolita_5]

actually the most important question is since u are accepted to SIS, do u like IT or not?

 

[Magickiller9]

thanks guys. Thanks for the replies. Guess I'll go ahead with Smu .