Heyy everyone! I've heard a lot about meets-needs colleges and I'm wondering if they actually cover everything you need financially? Do they have any hidden costs or exclusions that I should be aware of? Would appreciate any insight!
Hello! Meets-needs colleges aim to cover the full demonstrated financial need of each accepted student. This typically includes tuition, room and board, books, and basic living expenses. However, it's essential to be cautious because each school may define 'full need' slightly differently.
While meets-needs colleges do their best to provide adequate financial aid, there might be additional costs or expenses that the college doesn't cover. Some potential hidden expenses include personal trips, extracurricular activities, or special software/equipment related to your major. Additionally, some schools might include student loans as a part of their financial aid package, which means you'd ultimately be responsible for repaying those loans after graduation.
To get a clearer idea of what a specific meets-needs college might offer you, try using the school's Net Price Calculator. It's also a good idea to investigate their financial aid policies to understand how they calculate financial need, as it can vary from school to school.
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