Hey guys, I'm starting to think about college application and I was wondering if anyone has a list of schools that offer the most generous financial aid. I'm trying to minimize student loans so any help would be appreciated!
One reputable category of colleges that can provide abundant aid to eligible students are the Ivy-League schools (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Yale). They typically offer generous need-based financial aid. Stanford and MIT are also known for their generous financial aid policies.
To note, colleges such as Princeton, Harvard, and Yale have policies where families making under a certain income (e.g., Harvard's is $65,000, but it can vary) are not expected to contribute to the cost of attendance. The student's education is entirely covered by grants and work-study.
Non-Ivy institutions are also generous. Some examples include Amherst College, which practices need-blind admissions and meets 100% of demonstrated need, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which offers the Carolina Covenant program that allows low-income students to graduate debt-free.
However, it's important to remember that just because a school offers robust financial aid does not mean you will necessarily qualify - the determination is largely based on your family's financial status. Be sure to use the Net Price Calculators on each individual school's financial aid website to get an estimate of what you might pay.
It might also be beneficial to look at colleges that offer merit-based scholarships - these are awarded without regard to financial need and can significantly reduce the cost of attendance. Examples of schools known for merit aid include University of Alabama, University of Southern California, and Vanderbilt.
Lastly, don't rule out in-state public colleges. While out-of-state and international students may find these schools less generous, these schools are often the most affordable option for in-state students, even before financial aid.
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