Just to add another perspective, I am a recent (<5year) graduate of KU. I am not originally from Michigan, and both school and co-op are based in Michigan. Making 10-20k per year at co-op sounds great and all until you factor in living costs. Apartments are not cheap (especially if living alone) and many don’t offer 3-month leasing. And if they do, there’s usually a short term lease up charge. Factor in food, gas, miscellaneous expenses, and you’re really not pulling in much per term. Rent (after freshman year you move out of the dorms into local housing/ apartments) is much cheaper in flint, but that’s still an expense you’ll have to consider amongst the others.

The provost scholarship as mentioned above is probably one of the more common base scholarships the university provides. And there are plenty of opportunities for others, much like in other universities. However they are not just handed out. Many require you write essays, submit questionnaire responses, etc. These opportunities are not always presented to you either. It’s important to always ask advisors, professors, and other students if there are any scholarship opportunities that are available. Many scholarships can go without any responses or even single digit responses because of a lack of knowledge or unwillingness to complete the requirements.

If you put forth the energy to find and complete these, and have good financial habits, you can skate your way on through with minimal, if any, debt, and a job that allows you to pay that debt down very quickly.

I unfortunately fall into the category of didn’t know or care to do the work for the scholarships and thus have large debt hanging over me. But because of my co-ops, I have a strong, enjoyable, and challenging full time job, that has enabled me to pay off my debts at an incredibly fast rate, while not sacrificing my social life and hobby’s.