<p>this is my dream school but unfortunately I cannot afford it. I am currently enrolled as a freshman at a TX community college and I want to transfer next year. My only option seems like UT Austin because it’s a lot cheaper for in state kids but I hate the thought of going to a big university.</p>
<p>Colleges like Bard, Oberlin, and Wesleyan have always interested me. How generous are they with financial aid? I already receive the full pell grant and i qualify for the stafford loan. That is simply not enough for a year’s worth of tuition. Before taking out private loans I want to know if Bard offers a good amount in aid. Don’t just give me a link to their website, I’ve seen it… I’m unsure of how much they offer yearly, to people in my case especially since I am receiving the full pell grant.</p>
<p>I would advise that you apply to all the schools you would ideally like to transfer to - and submit all our financial aid info in a timely manner. It’s very difficult to predict in what manner your estimated need will be met - either all grants, combination grants & loans, mostly loans etc. There are many many students at all three of the colleges you’ve listed with extremely generous financial aid packages that allows them to attend for less than cost of an in-state public, and graduate with minimal, or even no, debt.</p>
<p>Bard was pretty generous to me. They gave me $37000/yr in grants, and another $10,000 in federal loans, work study and grants (mostly loans, but I don’t have the exact figures in front of me). That meant I had $13,000/yr left to cover, which my parents and I will be meeting with a combination of federal PLUS loans and state loans. Our EFC is $7500. </p>
<p>Bard was the best offer we received other than my state school, and it will be difficult but not completely draining to pay for.</p>
<p>Not commenting as a freshman, but as a parent of an accepted student who sadly had to say no due to finances.</p>
<p>Despite the above, I’d say Bard was actually pretty generous with financial aid. D. received about $30,000/year in grants, plus loans. Unfortunately, with a cost of over $60,000 we just couldn’t swing it. It was VERY sad to say goodbye to Bard, but our financial situation is just too unstable for us to take a risk like that.</p>
<p>Nothing wrong with giving it a try. You might be pleasantly surprised. But when then time comes you have to look at your own and your family’s finances very carefully to decide what’s best.</p>