Cdn student trying make a decision for US college-aid?

Hi

I just got acceptance for UMich, Ann Arbor and I am trying to decide if I should accept. I applied for Biomedical Eng and was surprised with the acceptance as UM is a amazing school.

In order to be able to attend, all stars must line up for me, financially that is. No offers of scholarships were given - apparently international students do not get fin aid.

- OSAP - does anyone know how much I can borrow for tuition of a US college? My mom is a widow and I do not want to put further hardship on her. Currently I have 50k saved for tuition but it costs 33k for tuition per year.

- I checked scholarships but most CDN scholarships are for CDN unis and most US scholarships are for US citizens only. So..I am caught in between.

- Same goes for UM fin aid and scholarships - only one scholarship avail for Canadians.

- I plan to work and will contribute but it seems a far reach.

Does anyone have experience with fin aid with US college?

My GPA is 3.7/4.0, SAT 2080, ACT 30.

" OSAP - does anyone know how much I can borrow for tuition of a US college?"

It's usually $9000 max. An additional $2500 in grant money if you're below poverty line. I know because I experienced it! (granted you're unemployed)

My suggestion. Work in Canada to help pay for U.S tuition. If it's a border town school since you have 50k saved. Usually jobs on campus will give you tuition stipend and pay 80% of fees. This is depending on school.

If I remember anything else I'll post here...

Is it $9000 max per annum or for all 4 years?

No. $9000 maximum per school year excluding the summer semester. You are not guaranteed this amount every year either. One year they gave me about $6000 with 12 credit courses costing me roughly $5600 per semester.

Also, once you're attending school in the U.S, you're no longer are eligible for other grants or scholarships offered through the Ontario gov't other than the one I mentioned.

My son just graduated from a D1 University in SC 1 year ago.
We got $7300. evry year, We have a decent income and my son got a ton of scholarship money. He also had 2 part time jobs on campus for the last 3 years. Working in the US first year as a student ins't allowed. He also got a full meal plan as part of the one job.
I don't think you would have any problem getting max OSAP as your mother is a widow and limited funds.
Keep in mind that there are other costs that you may not be considering like insurance required by the University. Your OHIP will expire most likely and the U may not accept it anyway. It cost approx $900/year. Also the student loan max is less if you are leaving Ontario.
In our case the US school was a great experience. The scholarship money wasn't taxed here or in the US. The unused tuition for tax credit build up to a staggering amout which my wife applied to her tax return resulting in way more than the student loan payments. He or my wife can now write off the interest aswell.
I would invesigate all costs involved and the requirements to obtain an I-20 and F1 student visa. There are lots of costs beyond the tuition. Without the scholarship we would never do it.