<p>Typically how good is Duke about giving out need based aid. I think they meet 100% of demonstrated need.
Lets say I have an efc of 3k, does that mean that I will have to pay 3k out of pocket and they will meet all of the rest in the form of loans/grants/work study?</p>
<p>Yes, that's roughly what it means. If you had a efc of 3k, you could probably expect about $5000 in loans, $1800 or so in work study, and the rest in grants. (Note that work study is optional and doesn't go directly toward tuition payments; you spend the money you earn however you want.) They will split the hypothetical 3k into Parental Contribution and Student Contribution, but of course your family can decide exactly how to pay that part.</p>
<p>Thanks for the response.
One more question. The total number they use is tuition, room and board, books, etc... does that include estimated living costs because I can cut corners to save from having to take out a lot of loans.
Thanks.</p>
<p>Well, the way that it worked out for me, and trust me, I had enormous financial need, so I think the way it works out is that the grants and loans go toward the things that are not variable: tuition and room/board. Since books and estimated living costs are much more variable, they are covered by work study and family contribution (and of course remaining costs of tuition and room/board would be covered by family contribution).
So basically, you'd probably still have to take the loans out. If you think you could cut enough corners to be able to put all of your work study toward tuition, you could refuse one of the loans and try to pay the money that way, but it puts more pressure on you, and you will probably end up spending more money on estimated living costs than you expect.</p>