Securing college funds: Which colleges give the lion's share of aid money?

Hello everyone, I'm in my junior year and the financial side of things has been stressing me out a little. From your experiences, which colleges tend to provide the most aid money?

The amount of financial aid a college provides often depends on a few factors including school type (private vs. public), endowment size, and their commitment to providing need-based aid or merit scholarships.

First, many of the Ivy League and top-tier private colleges such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Stanford have very significant endowments which allows them to offer need-based aid, and in many cases, cover 100% of demonstrated need.

Harvard, for example, sets the expectation that families making less than $85,000 will contribute nothing towards tuition, while families making between $85,000 and $150,000 will typically contribute from 0-10% of their income. Stanford has a similar financial aid initiative where families with an income below $125,000 pay no tuition, and those making below $65,000 will have both tuition and room/board costs covered.

Outside of the Ivies and top-tier private schools, the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia are examples of public institutions known for doing their best to meet 100% of the demonstrated need for in-state students.

Aside from need-based aid, do look at schools known for giving out substantial merit scholarships. Schools like the University of Southern California, Tulane, and Vanderbilt, for instance, are known for granting significant merit-based scholarships.

Remember, it's crucial to reflect on the total cost of attendance rather than just tuition. Sometimes, a school with higher tuition can end up being more affordable thanks to a generous aid package, while a school with a seemingly lower tuition can result in higher out-of-pocket costs if they offer minimal aid.

The best way to understand your potential financial aid package is to use each school's Net Price Calculator, which will give you a more personalized estimate based on your family's financial situation. Hope this helps with your search and eases your financial stress a little bit!