When seniors are ready to go off to college, one of the major questions they have to ask is whether or not to go out of state.

This decision is difficult for many seniors, especially with having to make the decision almost a full year in advance.

When you stay in state for college, you stay closer to your family, which is nice for students who like to see their family regularly. Florida offers great in state schools, whether they are state or private schools.

Also, Florida schools offer some discounts for those who live in state. University of South Florida (USF) offers an in-state tuition cost of $6,410, while those who come from another state for college, have a tuition of $17,324. That’s over a $10,000 difference.

Also, when you stay in state, you can apply for Bright Futures, which is an organization that you can apply for scholarships through. Bright futures doesn’t help those who go out of state, though.

There are, on the other hand, benefits of leaving the state for college. Some colleges that are out of state specialize in certain professions, which could attract students that can’t find a college that has a good program for what they’re interested in.

There are some downsides to staying in state, or going out of state. Staying in state for college means that you still live in a days distance of your house, which means that your parents could (if they wanted to), make you come home on weekends.

When you leave the state, you don’t have the opportunity to see your family regularly. Another downside of leaving the state for college is that you don’t get the discounts the in state attendees receive.

Both sides of this big decision has good points and bad flaws, but the final decision really comes down to you, and where your heart takes you.