<p>You need to be realistic. Talk to your parents about the specifics as to what they are willing to pay. A $15,000 merit award subtracted from a $35,000 annual tuition charge still leaves $20,000 left to be paid for tuition alone – add to that the cost of housing and incidentals (books, transportation, etc.) and you still have a huge bill. (In the case of Smith, at least $35,000) See:
[Smith</a> tuition rises above $50,000 mark - News](<a href=“http://media.www.smithsophian.com/media/storage/paper587/news/2009/11/19/News/Smith.Tuition.Rises.Above.50000.Mark-3838614.shtml]Smith”>http://media.www.smithsophian.com/media/storage/paper587/news/2009/11/19/News/Smith.Tuition.Rises.Above.50000.Mark-3838614.shtml)</p>
<p>Unlike need-based aid, merit awards won’t rise to meet future tuition increases either. </p>
<p>I think that it is great that you are thinking along these lines, but you have to be realistic as well. If your heart is set on a women’s college - you might consider Mills - [Mills</a> College :: Undergraduate Admission :: Scholarships](<a href=“Home - Northeastern University Oakland”>Home - Northeastern University Oakland) - [url=<a href=“Home - Northeastern University Oakland”>Home - Northeastern University Oakland]Mills</a> College - Undergraduate Catalog undergraduate financial aid<a href=“full%20tuition%20Trustee%20Scholarships%20for%20up%20to%2010%20entering%20students”>/url</a> –</p>