Help me find schools? Good need based aid?

College Search & Selection
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<p>I am looking for less prestigious schools than I have that give good need based aid. I'm feeling the pressure to get into a top ten school because it seems like those are the only ones who give spectacular aid and my family is really poor. Basically living off welfare. I have duke, princeton, dartmouth, northwestern, cornell, and mit. I don't want to get into stats but what good schools have good need based aid?</p>

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<p>What major are you interested in pursuing? Many private schools give merit based aid and then meet the financial need as well with a financial aid package. it is likely that you will have some debt at the end but if it not too large, it won’t be burdensome. Don’t get too hung up on the “top ten” thing. You can get a good education at any accredited university if you put your full effort into it and challenge yourself. The most important thing is to make sure that you can deal with the finances comfortably so the pressure on you is not affecting your studies.</p>

<p>Finally, if you are interested in engineering, look into the [Association</a> of Independent Technological Universities: AITU](<a href=“http://theaitu.org%5DAssociation”>http://theaitu.org) schools, many of which have special full tuition scholarship programs as well as good financial aid.</p>

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<p>…what?</p>

<p>If you have the stats to have a shot at these schools, there’s a good chance you can get a full merit scholarship at some less prestigious schools.</p>

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<p>All of the private top 25 schools have really great need based aid.
All of the top LACs have really great need based aid.</p>

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<p>Use the net price calculators at various colleges to see what their need-based aid is like.</p>

<p>Beyond the well endowed highly selective schools, in-state public schools are often candidates, though that varies by state.</p>

<p>If you have an ACT of 34 and a GPA of 3.0, consider the full ride at University of Alabama Huntsville.</p>

<p>If your goal is to be a military officer, consider the military service academies and ROTC scholarships.</p>

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<p>The University of Rochester has been good for us and is a great option if doing research interests you (vast majority of undergrads choose to do research). Case Western also tends to be good. If you’re income is low without much in investments, you can try for need-based or merit aid - or a combo of both. If you’re looking for an LAC, Franklin & Marshall is one to try.</p>

<p>You ought to mention stats and people can give other suggestions…</p>

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<p>U Southern Calif [ # 23] gives not only good need based aid, they also offer hundreds of Full and 1/2 Tuition scholarships to tip top students. . If you are a NMSF, and are accepted, you would be awarded an automatic 1/2 Tuition scholarship, and no doubt enough FA to allow you to attend. So check their FA calculator. USC has more NMF’s enrolled than any U expect Harvard. NMSF’s have a much higher acceptance rate at USC than other students- close to 50%- but the admissions office does want to “feel the love” and not just be considered a safety that a top student would “settle for” . Be SURE to complete your application to USC before their Dec 1 merit scholarship deadline in order to be considered for one of their 150 + full Tuition scholarships.</p>

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<p>Denison U (LAC) gives good FA and merit aid (though it doesn’t guarantee to meet need).</p>

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<p>I don’t want to get into stats but what good schools have good need based aid?</p>

<p>Well, since the schools that are easier to get into don’t meet need or give great aid, we do need to know what your stats are so that we can recommend schools that will either give you a “preferential pkg” or give you HUGE merit.</p>

<p>are you a likely NMF?</p>

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<p>winter, Ironically the most “prestigious” i.e., selective schools also give the best need-based aid. And being from a low income family or the first in your family to go to college can actually be a plus in admissions. </p>

<p>If your grades are good, your scores reasonable and your family qualifies for substantial aid, you will actually have quite a few choices, but there’s no way anyone can help you without having a a better idea of your profile. </p>

<p>Questbridge is a wonderful organization that helps high achieving, low income kids connect to top colleges and universities.</p>

<p>[QuestBridge</a> Home](<a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/]QuestBridge”>http://www.questbridge.org/)</p>

<p>I would also look at Smith College.</p>