Aid Forward Colleges

Hey guys, I'm looking for colleges that are generous with financial aid. My family is pretty strapped and we’re trying to avoid taking on too many loans. Do you guys know of any colleges that give the most aid? I’m looking for any and all suggestions.

If you're looking to minimize the burden of loans, there are several colleges known for being particularly generous with their financial aid packages. Keep in mind that the specifics can vary greatly based on your family's financial situation, your academics, and extracurriculars.

A good starting point is Ivy League schools, which are some of the richest colleges in terms of endowments. Harvard, Yale, and Princeton, for example, offer strong need-based financial aid programs. At Harvard, families who earn less than $85,000 per year pay nothing towards the cost of attendance. For families earning between $85,000 and $150,000 per year, the cost is between 0 and 10% of their annual income.

In addition to Ivy League institutions, many other private colleges such as Stanford, MIT, and Amherst are known for being very generous with aid.

If you're interested in public universities, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill meets 100% of demonstrated need for in-state and out-of-state students. The University of Virginia and the University of Michigan also have similar commitments.

I recommend utilizing the Net Price Calculator available on each school's website to get a more accurate estimate of what your cost might be, remembering that some schools meet "need" differently than others. It might be that what you think you can afford and what a college thinks you can afford are different, but these calculators should give you a good starting point.

Finally, make sure to look for schools that offer merit-based scholarships if your academic profile is competitive. These can substantially decrease the cost of attendance regardless of your financial situation. Hope this helps, and best of luck with your college search!