Colleges in Westchester are a good option for people who want to stay local. Living in Westchester gives you the advantage of having a lot of schools to choose from. Plus, tuition is generally cheaper for in-state students.
A lot of students these days are opting to stay local for financial reasons. After completing two years at a community college, they go on to get a Bachelor's Degree somewhere else. This way, they come out with the same level of education as their peers. But, they are $40,000 less in debt.
You can study just about anything at colleges in Westchester. Some students study engineering, while others study fashion. The possibilities are endless.
It is important to know that you will only receive an Associate's Degree at most of these schools. You may run into problems when trying to transfer after two years. Some of your credits might not transfer. And then you will end up having to re-take the class at the next school you go to. That is why it is so important to plan ahead. You should know ahead of time what schools you are considering transferring to after you complete your Associate's Degree.
Concordia College is an example of a small local school. Others like Westchester Community College are fairly large. Students usually commute to school when they study local. You do have the choice of staying on campus if you would like. Mercy College is an example of a school that has dorms available for the students.
Students who stay local could receive more financial aid. This is because more grants are available. For example, TAP, the Tuition Assistance Program provides grants for in-state New York students. These grants are in addition to any federal grants you may be receiving.
Staying local may not be the best option for everyone. Some students feel the need to explore the world and different cultures right after high school. That feeling is totally valid. Other students just want to get away from home and be independent. That is totally understandable too. If you do go out of state and need more financial aid to pay for school, scholarships are available. There is literally a scholarship out there for everyone, from the A student to the star basketball player.
In addition, students from other counties actually travel to colleges in Westchester. The schools have such beautiful campuses and a wide range of majors. It's no wonder so many students want to go there.
