I was thinking of applying to Yale for next year, but my parents are avidly against it because of cost. My parents went through this whole big thing with my sister about not being able to afford her first choice, and I think it really hurt them that they couldn’t send her there. So now they are trying to steer me away from expensive schools, even though the only ones I am really looking at are very expensive, like Yale, Wellesley, Cornell, etc. I do have safety schools that are much less. I don’t know too much about how generous Yale will be, and obivously if I don’t get a hugh financial said package I can’t go. I could be over thinking this, because it is a long shot to even get in, but I just wanted to know if I should even get my hopes up and apply. Also how much aid do you think I could get? My parents make about 70,000-75,000 a year together, and they are willing to pay about 18,000 a year.
Thanks everyone.
<p>Check Yale's site and even e-mail their financial aid office.
Yale is among the colleges that provide 100% of financial aid up to students' documented level of financial need. I don't know how much that would come to for you, but often it is cheaper to attend a place like Yale than it is to attend a lower priced public or private institution. That's because of the amount of financial aid a place like Yale gives.</p>
<p>incidentally, your family would be on the low end of the scale for families who have students at places like Yale. Based on what you have posted about your family's finances, your chances of getting financial aid would be excellent. </p>
<p>Yale and similar schools won't beat the totally free rides that top students typically can get at their state flagships or at some second tier colleges that give generous merit aid to outstanding students. However, it's possible that your parents would only have to pay for Yale what they now believe they can afford. Should they be expected to pay more, it also may be possible for you to make up the difference with loans in an amount that would be relatively easy for you to pay back.</p>
<p>Don't count out Yale yet. Frankly, it's much harder to gain acceptance to such schools than to get decent need-based aid.</p>