@moooop Some of these seem like good matches! I’ll check them out, thank you. Which criteria of mine (specifically) did you think was getting in the way of finding schools w/ good aid?
@tk21769 How do most students get into work-study programs on campus? Do I just look into different departments once I’ve confirmed my enrollment? Correct me if I’m wrong, but isn’t it mostly graduate students that get those types of opportunities?
Thank you for the advice!
To answer your question about which criteria are blocking out some schools with good merit aid: probably the main one is the reqirement for a large Asian community. Most of the schools I listed are not in states with large Asian populations. To their credit, one of the reasons they are offering significant merit aid to out-of-staters is to attract a more diverse group of students. Also, I have no idea what sorts of debate teams they have.
Most of the schools I mentioned are interesting places in pleasant college towns/cities. You can get an excellent education at all of them. BUT…and this is a deal-breaker for some people…most are not in the most glamorous locations, nor do they astound people with their prestige.
@moooop I see, thank you! I totally see how those schools could be a turn-off on face value but I’ll read more about them individually and try to find other schools similar to them.
There is a book… Colleges that change lives… All are private with good scholarships. But a lot of the schools are smaller schools. Might be worth just to go to their website and browse through the schools. Great professors and kids with lower stats but smart.
Federal work-study jobs are just one kind of “self help”.
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/work-study
If one of these jobs is part of your FA package, the school’s financial aid office should help you with details.
@Knowsstuff I’ll go check out the website, thank you!
@tk21769 I see, I was wondering if these were programs I have to independently apply for but it’s good knowing FA packages may include this!
@rejoinder. Yes, those schools are not overflowing with prestige to the people on the coasts, but they have good reputations in-state and regionally, & at least everybody has heard of them…nobody will say "Where is that?!? "
Perhaps most importantly, they are well-known & competent institutions from which you can get in excellent grad schools if you do well as an undergrad.