<p>Hi everyone, I am currently looking for colleges that give out generous financial aid packages, and have found that a lot of colleges that have religious affiliations are very generous in handing out money. But, I would feel very uncomfortable going to a super religious school, not being very religious myself. What is a college that may have a religious affiliation, but it is not a predominant factor in the curriculum or campus life?</p>
<p>My S is at a Jesuit School (Fordham). In general, I believe that the Jesuits are educators first and foremost and do not feel a need to push religion on anyone (he did have to take theology and philosophy as part of the core curriculum). My S has friends who are Jewish, Muslim, atheist etc. and they all seem happy there. Things may vary school to school, but I think that in general, a Jesuit schools may work out OK for you.</p>
<p>Georgetown, Holy Cross both top Jesuit schools.</p>
<p>The term “religious” means something entirely different than “theology”. Some colleges have a religious heritage and have religious people (notably priests and nuns) on faculty or in the administration, but that is entirely separate from a culture of religiosity in the student body.</p>
<p>Catholic schools in general may have some religious faculty and religious students, but that does not mean they require everyone to be like them, or put up with their life choices. Nor should you expect them to disavow or downplay their faith. </p>
<p>Many non religious (even agnostic) people go to schools with religious affiliations, including Notre Dame, the 28 Jesuit colleges, Providence, Siena, Villanova etc. </p>
<p>There are schools where being religious is part of the regimen: Ave Maria, Aquinas, Grove City (non Catholic protestant school). </p>
<p>Studying Theology is a fascinating thing. Its also very rigorous and enlightening and not typically “dogmatic.” It instills critical thinking skills, writing skills, philosophical outlook, tolerance, respect, academic discipline, creativity, historical forensics, research skills etc. </p>
<p>Fear not. Jump in. </p>
<p>Most colleges mentioned above are highly diverse in their student body socially, economically, politically, theologically and frequently racially. </p>
<p>Its all good. </p>
<p>You should be concerned about finding a good match for you which meets your financial and academic goals. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Generally not too obnoxious on the religious front:
[Quaker-originated</a> Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.quaker.org/colleges.html]Quaker-originated”>Quaker-originated Colleges and Universities)
[CUAC</a> - Colleges and Universities of the Anglican Communion - AEC](<a href=“http://cuac.anglicancommunion.org/aec.cfm]CUAC”>http://cuac.anglicancommunion.org/aec.cfm)
[Colleges</a> and Universities - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America](<a href=“http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Education/Colleges-and-Universities.aspx]Colleges”>Page Not Found - Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)
[Association</a> of Presbyterian Colleges and Universities - APCU Member Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.presbyteriancolleges.org/memberschools.htm]Association”>http://www.presbyteriancolleges.org/memberschools.htm)
[College</a> and Universities](<a href=“http://www.ucc.org/higher-education/college-and-universities.html]College”>http://www.ucc.org/higher-education/college-and-universities.html) United Church of Christ
[Colleges</a> and Universities | General Board of Higher Education and Ministry](<a href=“GBHEM - Homepage”>GBHEM - Homepage) United Methodist Church
[Association</a> of Jesuit Colleges and Universities](<a href=“http://www.ajcunet.edu/]Association”>http://www.ajcunet.edu/)</p>
<p>Read the first page of the individual college website, and check out the wording in any mission statement to see if it looks like it could work for you.</p>
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<p>Degree of “religiousness” varies widely, from very (e.g., Wartburg), to moderately (e.g., Wittenberg), to hardly (e.g., Gettysburg). Which means it’s definitely a good idea to:</p>
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<p>Texas Christian University is fairly generous with merit awards, isn’t as expensive as many other private universities, and despite the name is not a very strict/religious school. I visited this summer and was surprised to learn that the only graduation requirement involving religion was taking 1 class on religion during your entire undergrad career. Also almost 40% of the student body is in the greek system, so its far from the social scene you will find at other Christian affiliated schools. They guarantee merit awards for the top third of their applicant pool, from $7,000 per year all the way up to full tuition.</p>
<p>Holy Cross!!!</p>
<p>Jesuit schools are pretty good for you.</p>
<p>Chapman University has a religious affiliation and it is not a predominant factor in the curriculum or campus life. Great need-blind merit-aid also.
[Chapman</a> University - Financial Aid - Undergrads](<a href=“Financial Aid | Chapman University”>Financial Aid | Chapman University)</p>
<p>Yes, check out the Jesuit schools in general, including Georgetown University. Their financial aid packages tend to be excellent.</p>
<p>Agree with everyone who mentioned the Jesuit schools… The top jesuits are GTown, BC, maybe Holy Cross. There are jesuit schools in every region of the country.</p>