Looking for affordable LAC school

<p>This is my junior year of High School, and last year when I took the ACT I got a 28, but I expect to end up with a 30 when I apply to college's.</p>

<p>So, I'm looking for colleges that are academically matches. I'm an intellectual, and while the University of Chicago or Swarthmore College look like ideal fits for me, I can't afford them, or probably even get in. </p>

<p>I'm in Texas, so take that into consideration for in-state out-of-state tuition. (Unfortunatly I want to go to school out of state.) My father makes about $100,000 a year, but isn't contributing to my college fund at all. My only current funds is really from my mom, who with her part time job can contribute around $6,000 a year. I have a job, but can only work three hours a week due to course load and extra-curriculars.</p>

<p>In summary:
Looking for intellectual school with 28-32 ACT median. Cost is very important, since we can only spend $6,000 a year.</p>

<p>Have you looked at Beloit? I think they have pretty strong reputation for aid)both merit and financial, particularly for those who apply early.)</p>

<p>I think you need to stop looking at finances and stressing about that when you haven't even applied. I know it can seem pointless if you're aware of your finances, but you honestly won't know what a school will offer you in terms of financial aid until they send you your financial aid package. My parents are close to the 100K line, i think last year they went over it, and the last school I was attending estimated family contribution to be at around 8K per year. Just because they estimated 8K a year didn't mean that they had to pay it up front, they are able to finance it through the PLUS loan which caps interest, and the payments every month were like 75-190(varied). I'm pretty sure your mom would sign up for the plus loan, and just pay the monthly payments until you graduate and can take on the debt.</p>

<p>You might want to look at Occidental, i've known kids who have been given merit aid just for having higher stats than the average student body, and and i'm pretty sure achieving a 30 or higher would get you in the above average stats for Occidental, and it is a really good school.</p>

<p>New College of Florida is consider intellectual, and a bit on the eccentric side, and is a public LAC*which means low tuition even if you're out of state. It's an excellent school, and it's not in Texas! They also offer good financial aid from what I hear.</p>