So, my family and I are slightly concerned about college tuition. We're trying to minimize student loans as much as possible, so does anyone know which colleges are most likely to give out full scholarships? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Several schools are known to give high amounts of aid or have ample scholarship opportunities. Here are some that come to mind:
Yale, Harvard, and Princeton have some of the most generous financial aid programs. Families earning less than $65,000-$85,000 per year often pay nothing towards the cost of attendance. But of course, admission is extremely competitive.
Berea College in Kentucky awards every student a Tuition Promise Scholarship, which covers 100% of tuition costs for all four years. The college mainly caters to students demonstrating financial need.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill offers the Carolina Covenant, which promises students from low-income backgrounds a debt-free degree. Also, they have the Morehead-Cain scholarship program, which covers tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, a laptop, and four summer experiences for in-state and out-of-state students.
The University of Virginia has the Jefferson Scholarship that covers tuition, fees, books, and enrichment experiences, but it's extremely competitive.
Deep Springs College provides full scholarships covering tuition, room, and board for the two years of attendance. Admission here is also very competitive.
Other colleges with extensive merit-based scholarships which can cover full tuition or more include: University of Southern California, Vanderbilt, and Duke.
Many state schools have programs for in-state residents who excel academically too. For example, Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship and Georgia's HOPE Scholarship.
Just remember, competition for these scholarships can be quite stiff, so make sure to work hard on your essays and keep improving your profile! It's also a good idea to fill out your FAFSA and CSS profile so you can get as much need-based aid as possible. Plus, make sure to check in with each college's financial aid office and they will give you the most accurate information.
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