<human>: Hi everyone, long-time reddit lurker here and finally decided to make an account!

Basically, I need some advice on summer plans. I go to an Ivy League university and have an opportunity to spend a summer doing some summer research, continue with my work study (that pays $13/hr--but is only a few hours a week), and take some courses, which financial aid will take care of. So, if I stay, I'd be paying around 4k in residential fees + ~1k in meal plans/meals, while having an opportunity to really get some research experience. My family is not wealthy; the only reason I can afford college is because of some hefty scholarships. On the other hand, if I stay at home, I MAY have an opportunity to do some summer research at a community college--still hashing out the details; however, I am not confident at all that this will work out. I am also interviewing for internships, but again nothing is concrete right now. Is the ~5k worth it over the three months to research at my university or stay home with a potential research project?

Thank you for any advice you can give!

Give me a shortened version of the text
<bot>: 5k at university for summer research, free classes to get ahead in degree, job, or (potentially) nothing at home?