Financial aid is going to be a significant factor in my college decision. Could anyone tell me which public colleges typically offer the most financial aid?
When discussing financial aid, it's crucial to differentiate between financial aid based on need and merit-based financial aid.
For need-based aid, The University of Virginia (UVA) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC) are notable for meeting 100% of demonstrated need. This means that they commit to providing enough aid (through a combination of grants, loans, and work-study) to cover the gap between the cost of attendance and what your family is calculated to be able to afford (determined through FAFSA and often the CSS profile).
The University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) may also be worth considering. They offer "Florida Bright Futures Scholarships" to Florida residents, which can cover 75-100% of tuition depending on the student's high school academic achievement.
For merit-based aid, consider looking at the University of Arizona (UA), which has several scholarships available to both in-state and out-of-state students. Arizona State University (ASU) also provides substantial merit aid.
Remember to check each college's financial aid policies and use their net price calculator to get a more accurate estimate of the amount of aid you may be eligible to receive.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.