<p>Macalester wouldn't work. A major criteria for the OP is "guarantees to meet full demonstrated need". Mac isn't need-blind. They typically don't give great aid.</p>
<p>I'm sorry if I worded it poorly, and I take back my suggestion not to even consider GWU. However, I feel like the school may not be entirely feasible in this particular situation for a combination of reasons:</p>
<ol>
<li>Expensive tuition</li>
</ol>
<p>From <a href="http://www.forbes.com/2007/01/19/most-expensive-colleges-biz-cx_tvr_0119college.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.forbes.com/2007/01/19/most-expensive-colleges-biz-cx_tvr_0119college.html</a>
"According to data from The Chronicle of Higher Education, which tracks college costs, the 10 most expensive schools in the country, led by George Washington University in Washington, D.C., averaged a tuition rise of 52% from 1999 to 2006--nearly triple the 21% rise in the U.S. cost of living during the same period. George Washington's $37,820 tuition is 82% of the entire median annual family income of $46,326."</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Inadequate merit aid (in this case). According to, <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/117205-george-washington-scholarships.html?highlight=george+washington%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/117205-george-washington-scholarships.html?highlight=george+washington</a> ,their highest scholarship, the Presidential Academic Scholarship, covers half-tuition or about $20,000 year. leaving you with about $30,000 to cover through financial aid and out-of-pocket.</p></li>
<li><p>Mediocre financial aid</p></li>
</ol>
<p>"Here are the current US News figures for GWU.</p>
<p>(Note - First figure is freshmen, second is all undergrads)</p>
<p>Need-based aid:
Students who applied for financial aid 55% 51%
Those determined to have financial need 42% 44%
Students whose need was fully met (excluding PLUS or other private loans) 62% 63%
Avg. financial aid package (% awarded aid) $34,139 (40%) $33,196 (43%)
Avg. need-based scholarships or grants (% awarded aid) $21,468 (39%) $19,828 (41%)
Avg. self-help aid, such as work study or loans (% awarded aid) $6,060 (32%) $7,727 (35%)
Avg. need-based loan (excluding PLUS or other private loans) $5,078 $6,806
% need met (of those awarded need-based aid) 91% 91%</p>
<p>Non-need-based aid
Avg. merit award (% awarded aid) $22,544 (18%) $19,290 (24%)
Avg. athletic scholarship (% awarded aid) $20,276 (1%) $20,921 (2%)"</p>
<p>Assuming you receive the additional $20,000 need-based scholarship, that leaves you with about $10-12k to pay. As the OP has stated, the parents can pay $5k over 4 years which equals around $1,250 a year. The remaining $10,000 a year would probably come from student loans or jobs. Ultimately the OP would graduate with around $40,000 of debt, quite a large amount of money, though not a particularly uncommon amount of debt.</p>
<p>Obviously, these number are based on averages and your individual numbers will vary depending on FAFSA/CSS profile results. What I was and am trying to say is that GWU may not be ideal financially for the OP.</p>
<p>I say absolutely apply to GWU if you really want to go there, but don't get your hopes too high. If it ends up being feasible for you, that's wonderul, but if not, other recommendations in this thread could prove helpful also.</p>
<p>I wish you the best of luck in your application/admission process. :)</p>
<p>I figured that's what you meant. :) I'm just the type of person who likes to have everything in front of me and say okay, which one? Just like I'm not quick to send my deposit to GU because, though I'm 99% sure I'll go there, what if American gives me some amazing aid or something? I don't like signing myself up for anything I can't get out of!</p>
<p>Thank you for the info about Georgetown, tlesc01!</p>
<p>Also, thank you so much for all that info on financial aid, SeniorSlacker! I appreciate it.</p>