Which universities are the most generous with financial aid?

I'm trying to figure out which universities offer the most financial aid overall. I'm really concerned about affordability and don't want to be drowning in debt after graduation. Does anyone have recommendations for schools that are known for their generous aid packages?

Absolutely, there are many colleges known for their generous financial aid. Specifically, some top-tier colleges that are often cited for providing substantial aid include:

1. Princeton University: Princeton has a no-loan policy where all demonstrated financial need is met with grants, which do not need to be paid back.

2. Stanford University: Like Princeton, Stanford meets 100% of demonstrated financial need entirely with grants. They also offer free tuition to families earning less than $150,000 per year and free room and board for families earning less than $65,000.

3. Harvard University: Similar to Stanford, Harvard offers free tuition for families making less than $150,000 annually. Families earning less than $65,000 generally don't contribute at all to the cost of attendance.

4. Yale University: Yale also follows a no-loan policy and meets 100% of demonstrated financial need with a combination of scholarships and work-study. Families making less than $75,000 do not contribute to the cost of a Yale education.

5. Columbia University: Columbia pledges to meet 100% of all admitted first-year students' demonstrated financial need for all four years, regardless of citizenship.

6. MIT: MIT meets the full financial need of all students, with scholarships, loans, and a work-study program.

7. Vanderbilt University: Vanderbilt is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for all admitted students and it also follows a no-loan policy to keep education affordable.

These are just a few examples of universities that have robust financial aid programs. Remember to use the net price calculator on each college's website to get a clearer sense of what your personal financial aid package might look like. It's also important to remember that some schools that offer large merit scholarships which are not based on financial need, but rather on academic accomplishment, leadership, or other criteria.