How much are you(and parents)going to pay?

<p>I still can't decide what college to choose, and the money at my top choices makes me happy sometimes. Other times, I feel very overwhelmed. At all these top choices, I got about $25,000/year in some way that I don't need to pay back. The rest will come from my parents and me. Sometimes I go with the logic that if I need money I will get help, but other times I feel the financial aid isn't fair.</p>

<p>I've been looking around and I see that people are paying very little for college. How much are you(and your parents)going to pay total for those years at college? I'm wondering what people need to pay because right now I need to pay room and board, the fees, and other expenses. I'm curious to how other people are doing with this.</p>

<p>I'm going to post three things about my aid, and maybe other people will follow and post he info about theirs. Hopefully this is simple:</p>

<p>-Total expected cost/year(student and parent contribution not necessarily EFC)
-School
-Reason why you received the 'free money' you have</p>

<p>My info:
-24,000/year(18,000 excluding the student loans in my financial aid package)
-Northwestern/USC/BU
-Need-based and a little merit</p>

<p>Thanks for all your help.</p>

<p>*I'm also posting this on the financial aid board</p>