<p>So, my family isn't rich at all. We're a couple of thousands below the national average. When applying for need based aid, is it true that colleges in other states won't contribute as liberally as a private college or a college in my state? I have been looking at UGA and UNC CH, but if these colleges can't meet my family's need, then is it worth applying? </p>
<p>(I am applying to in state schools, by the way.)</p>
<p>Most OOS schools are not going to give you the need-based aid you need to attend. They charge high OOS costs for a reason. Wouldn’t make much sense for them to charge OOS rates and then just cover those costs with aid.</p>
<p>however, UNC is one of the RARE publics that give OOS need-based aid. However, acceptance as an OOS student is difficult.</p>
<p>Some other OOS publics will give merit scholarships.</p>
<p>The public colleges in your home state may give less aid than you are looking for also - the main advantage there is lower tuition cost, but few publics meet full need even for in-state.</p>
<p>In addition to UNC, the other OOS public that meets full need is UVa.</p>
<p>Start by looking at the average percentage of need met for each college where you intend to apply. However, realize (as stated above) that many public universities skew their need-based aid towards in-state students. Therefore, a " 65% need met" number may really mean 75% in-state and 40% out of state, for example.</p>
<p>*Start by looking at the average percentage of need met for each college where you intend to apply. However, realize (as stated above) that many public universities skew their need-based aid towards in-state students. Therefore, a " 65% need met" number may really mean 75% in-state and 40% out of state, for example.
*</p>
<p>It’s really difficult to look at % of need met to get any idea of aid at publics, especially if OOS. The instate rates are lower, and these schools’ mission is to help their instate students first. So, a public that does a good job trying to meet need of instate students may only give a $5500 student loan to OOS students (and a Pell grant if eligible).</p>
<p>Thanks for all the help!</p>
<p>I’d suggest you take a look at this current thread, which has some pretty good explanations of how need-based aid works:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1464958-does-financial-aid-cover-room-board.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1464958-does-financial-aid-cover-room-board.html</a></p>
<p>It really depends upon the school as most things do. Schools have a lot of leeway as to how they operate and so there are a lot of differences in how things are done. Taking Penn State, for example, it is the flagship school for PA but is not generous with financial aid even to its own state residents. I’ve seen a number of Zero EFC kids get zip from them. Not a dime. Never mind that these are their own state kids, that some are accepted on condition of entering in the summer and are charged for it, they still have no money for them. Also, some states have funds that help their own kids such as HOPE for GA and TAP for NY. As a general rule, the higher your test scores and grade in terms of the pool of students that the school gets, the better your chances of getting any kind of money, need as well as merit. </p>
<p>With OOS public schools, it’s nearly impossible to gauge where you will be in the line to get money because state residency does matter,and the stats that one can peruse do not usually separate out in state students from OOS ones. But the fact of the matter is that the NPC are not helpful in coming up with expected packages at any school if the school gives out merit money and does not guarantee to meet need. You get averages which do you no good. It’s not even an average as much as it is a composite. </p>
<p>Talk to your GC about schools that have given good awards to kids in your situation. Most public school GCs are well versed in the state and local options. Make sure you have some schools on your list that you are sure will take you and that you can afford, usually local schools that are public and low cost. Once you have that base covered, you can go to town on some of your choices.</p>