Need help finding a great BFA/BA program that gives good Financial Aid

Coastal Carolina and Oklahoma state have reciprocal tuition agreements for Georgia residents.

http://www.sreb.org/academic-common-market

Also try UNC-Greensboro for reasonable OOS tuition, plus they have merit awards for the arts.

We 're in list building mode, and I am very concerned about finances. I’ve been looking at this site http://www.■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■/lists/list/colleges-that-meet-the-financial-needs-of-students/349/

@DoinResearch, that’s a great starting point.

Not to stress anyone out further, but remember, as you all build your list, that your idea of “meeting need” and their idea will, for many schools, not mesh. Remember also that loans and work study can be included in meeting need. You want as much scholarship/grants as possible. It’s very important to apply to a wide range of schools because it’s hard to predict what the award will be. The hardest thing to predict is the talent/merit-need award; that is, an award at the discretion of the school that is tied to need. Pure need is generally largely formula-based by the financial aid office.

Also remember that the schools that have a policy of meeting need 100% will almost certainly involve you filling out the CSS Profile, which will include much more than FAFSA for their data, such as holdings, investments, properties, etc.

For most families, it is reality that we have loans. It is a different financial world than it was not too long ago. Ten years ago on CC, hardly anyone talked about this stuff. In my own case, my kids were fortunate to get into schools that, with one exception, had a policy of meeting needs 100%, and which did very generously meet their needs with sizable grants and scholarships. In nearly all cases, their colleges ended up being cheaper than our in-state university.

However, they still all graduated or will graduate with debt (Stafford loans) and I too have debt (Parent Plus).

For those with strong academic stats, private LACs and, of course Ivies, are most likely to meet your needs. This is something to consider as you apply. I’d encourage you to apply to LACs and other private universities as they may well be the least expensive option. Also I’d always apply to at least one in-state university or college. You never want to be in a situation where you get into a BFA program but cannot pay for it, and have no other option.