<p>Colgate is my dream school. As a rising high school junior, my parents are against me attending Colgate because of the incredibly steep tuition. I already had a sibling attend Drexel and commute, but Colgate's tuition easily tops Drexel's. I know they say "100% needs met, ect." on the website, but what does that actually mean? Would they really offer enough help to aid in curtailing such a steep tuition?</p>
<p>If not, what similar colleges are there to Colgate in regards to size, atmosphere, overall school experience, and location? </p>
<p>Thank you for any advice in advance.</p>
<p>I suggest you review the facts about costs with your guidance counselor and parents after some more homework on your part. A quick look at the Drexel website shows tuition, room and board costs similar to those at Colgate. </p>
<p>The next step for high school juniors is to learn in detail what the financial aid packages available offer for applicants in your financial circumstances in terms of aid, grants and loans, not only from the universities but from other sources. To benefit from these sources you will have to document your needs and requirements, apply and then qualify for them. Financial aid offices, alongside admissions offices can assist you with your questions. Best get started asap.</p>
<p>I am interested to know what 4 year liberal arts degree granting universities show costs considerably less than do Colgate and its peers, and so will monitor this thread as well.</p>
<p>Good luck with your research!</p>
<p>Colgate, along with every other school in the country now, has a net cost estimator/financial aid calculator that will instantly give you an idea of how much aid you will receive, based on your family’s finances.</p>
<p>There are many other private schools across the country like Colgate, and all seem to cost about the same if you pay the full price. Many of these schools do provide merit aid in addition to financial aid, and the only way you’ll ultimately know who will give you merit aid is by applying.</p>
<p>As said above, meetings with your guidance counselor, and if your guidance counselor is marginal or overloaded, a paid outside consultant, can help you determine this. Internet research is something that you should also do, although bear in mind that there is a lot of fiction on sites like this one, in addition to actual information, so filter carefully.</p>
<p>You should understand that many/most students don’t pay the full tuition, but that depends entirely on what offer and what you can afford to pay. If you’re a top student with other appeal and you can’t afford the tuition, Colgate generally finds a way to offer you some – perhaps a lot of – financial aid. Do NOT pass up a college out of fear of not being able to afford it. Apply, ask for financial aid and find out.</p>