<p>Calm down, NoLuck. Believe me, the last thing I was trying to do was put you down. Boards are full of complaints and worries because that’s what boards are for. As in, can I appeal my award? I didn’t get into my first choice and now I have to choose between x and y? Should I go to CGS? Does BU grade hard? That’s what you mostly hear. </p>
<p>BU gives aid, more than many schools with more endowment. As an example, they provide full scholarships for a number of kids from the Boston public schools. The problem, as Ali notes, is your expectations about what schools give for aid may need adjustment because you won’t qualify for need-based aid from ANY school if your family doesn’t have factors that balance out a six figure income - like multiple kids in college, an unfortunate tragedy, etc. </p>
<p>Most kids who post here are worrying how they’ll afford school with a family income of $36k. They’re asking if they should take out $120k in loans to go to one school versus another. Sometimes BU offers them more, sometimes less and sometimes BU is their first choice - but they can’t afford it - and sometimes BU is not their first choice but BU is more generous. </p>
<p>You should be looking at what schools offer in merit scholarships. These can vary from full tuition - generally not room & board except for a few - to some stipend. BU, for example, offers a University level scholarship, which is half tuition, and a President’s level, which is $10k. Those are the main ones but there are others. These are not affected by ED.</p>