<p>OK, so I bet this has probably been posted multiple times before, but I couldn't find any threads and haven't been onto CC in awhile. Anyway, I'm really starting to stress out about not being able to pay for school. I know that I will qualify for need-based aid (my parents make <$50,000.) However, they've told me that they can only pay for something that is comparable to a state school price. Does anyone have a list or knowledge of well endowed schools that are generous with their financial aid? I want to give myself as many options as possible.</p>
<p>[Colleges</a> That Claim to Meet the Full Financial Needs of Students - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying-for-college/2010/02/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-the-full-financial-needs-of-students.html]Colleges”>http://www.usnews.com/articles/education/paying-for-college/2010/02/18/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-the-full-financial-needs-of-students.html)</p>
<p>The richest colleges say they are need blind in admissions and meet 100% of what they determine to be need.</p>
<p>However, there are probably many other colleges that say they meet 100% of need, but are need-aware in admissions. I’m guessing that they would be hesitant to admit someone who can pay almost nothing, unless they are a really superior athlete.</p>
<p>One place to start: [Project</a> on Student Debt: What’s the Bottom Line?](<a href=“http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php]Project”>http://www.projectonstudentdebt.org/ncoa_chart.php)</p>
<p>I know that I will qualify for need-based aid (my parents make <$50,000.) However, they’ve told me that they can only pay for something that is comparable to a state school price.</p>
<p>Do they mean the price of a state school “tuition only”? Or do they mean that they can pay for tuition, room, board, and books (which can be $15k-25k per year - depending on your state). That might be too much for a family who earns less than $50k per year.</p>
<p>however, you might qualify for some state and federal aid.</p>
<p>What state do you live in?</p>
<p>What are your stats? </p>
<p>Most schools that “meet need” are schools that are hard to get into and you need good stats.</p>
<p>Ah…I see you live in Calif…</p>
<p>That’s actually a good thing for a student with a lowish income.</p>
<p>I hope you’ve applied and will get accepted to a UC. If you do, you get free tuition because of Blue and Gold. I don’t know if your income is low enough for Cal Grants as well, but maybe. </p>
<p>How much do you think your parents can pay each year? I know you’ve said that they’ll pay for a state school, but UCs are costing about $28k per year. That seems like an awful lot for a family that earns less than $50k.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! Yes, I do live in California and I applied to the UCs, but they’re not my top choice for many reasons. I have no clue how much my parents except to be able to pay, but I’m guessing probably less than or equal to $10,000. I have a summer job, so I will be contributing a couple thousand, but I probably won’t be making enough to cover an entire semester. I don’t think I can qualify for merit aid except for maybe at one safety because my stats are pretty average (2020 SAT, 3.4-5 uw gpa)</p>
<p>*Actually, probably not even $10,000.</p>
<p>lollege, do you know your estimated EFC for FAFSA? If not, you might want to find out through one of the online calculators…College Board’s calculator is fairly accurate and, if you’re applying to any schools that require Profile, you can also get an estimate of the IM EFC there. You should be gathering much of this info now anyway (and applying for a FAFSA PIN) so that you can file as early as possible - need-based awards are often given on a “first-come, first-served” basis for those who qualify.</p>
<p>* Yes, I do live in California and I applied to the UCs, but they’re not my top choice for many reasons. *</p>
<p>What is your school list. </p>
<p>The problem is that while your stats are good, they may not be high enough for the schools that meet need.</p>
<p>most schools cannot meet need, and therefore will leave big gaps in aid. Since your family can’t cover those gaps, many won’t be affordable.</p>
<p>Apply to Chapman, it meets need.</p>
<p>What are your reasons for not liking the UCs?</p>
<p>You should know that CA has a fantastic state school system. People in at least 47 other states would love to have access to such an array of top-quality, low-price choices; some of us are even considering paying out-of-state.</p>
<p>Perhaps you’ve overlooked some great bargains in your own backyard? What are you looking for that the UCs can’t accomodate?</p>
<p>My schools are: UC Santa Cruz, Evergreen State, Hampshire, Sarah Lawrence, Vassar, and NYU (Tisch). I have heard that Vassar and Sarah Lawrence tend to be pretty generous with their financial aid. However, Vassar is a little bit of a reach for me…I was thinking about adding Oberlin (also a reach), Lewis & Clark, Eugene Lang, and Marlboro. </p>
<p>I do know that California is renowned for it’s great college system. However, due to budget cuts, the system has been going under a lot of cuts and pressure. I have heard that classes are cramped and hard to get into, dorm space is limited, classes are taught by TAs, etc. Also, socially speaking, I’m a pretty big introvert, so I really crave the small classes and close relationships with teachers that smaller schools offer.</p>
<p>NYU gives lousy aid, so it won’t be affordable. :(</p>
<p>If you crave small classes and close relationships with teachers why is NYU on your list?</p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve seen that their financial package averages are a little too low 
My interest in NYU is mainly for the film studies program. It’s smaller than the film production program and is more writing-based. It sounds really great to me, but I’m hoping that I’ll find something comparable at one of the other LACs that I’m applying to. All of the schools I picked out have good film programs.</p>
<p>Apply to Chapman…it meets need and has film.</p>
<p>NYU’s FA packages are not a “little low”…they are horribly bad for most kids with significant need.</p>
<p>Marlboro College (VT) worst financial aid package our family ever received! </p>
<p>We looked at Eugene Lang with one of our children: very limited housing, poor financial aid, (like a commuter school feeling). But small classes & Manhattan location. </p>
<p>If you need financial aid, these two schools are probably not a good fit for you!</p>
<p>Thank you for posting the link of schools committed to providing need-based aid w/ limited loan, College_Ruled! I know this is an old thread, but I still wanted to chime in w/ my appreciation! I recently volunteered to assist my daughter’s friend in her college search by providing her w/ a list of schools that provide excellent financial aid; just sent her the link you posted. This is a great addition to the QuestBridge info I sent her the day I volunteered to help! If anyone has any additional thoughts for other links, etc., let me know.</p>
<p>College of the Holy Cross meets 100% need-based financial aid and has small classes. My family also makes <$50,000 too.</p>
<p>Lark…this thread is a YEAR old. Hope that link is still accurate.</p>