I'm looking for public universities that have a reputation for giving a lot of financial aid. Does anyone have any insights or personal experiences to share?
When looking at public universities that are known for providing substantial financial aid, there are a few that tend to rise to the top of the list.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC Chapel Hill) is often cited for its approach to financial aid. UNC Chapel Hill meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need for all admitted students through a combination of grants, work-study, and loans. They've also taken steps to level the financial playing field with their Carolina Covenant program, an initiative that allows students from families with income up to 200% of the federal poverty guidelines to graduate debt-free.
Another university worth mentioning is the University of Virginia (UVA). UVA also meets 100% of demonstrated need for all incoming and current undergraduate students, with varying packages of grants, work-study, and loans.
The University of Michigan (UMich) has a Go Blue Guarantee for in-state students, where those from families making $65,000 or less will receive full tuition coverage. This can make a substantial difference for in-state students coming from lower-income families.
The University of California (UC) system, particularly campuses like UC Berkeley and UCLA, also have a strong reputation for offering generous financial aid.
Bear in mind that the amount of aid you receive also heavily depends on your family's financial circumstances and sometimes on your academic merits too, as some universities offer a lot in terms of merit-based aid. You should calculate your net price - the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships - at each school to get an estimate of what your aid might look like.
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