<p>Take a look at Oberlin in the Midwest -- Oberlin has good financial aid, including merit scholarships to top students. If you like music of all kinds it is a wonderful choice (there is a conservatory) and it has lots of intellectually curious students (a large percentage of whom go on to graduate school) and a great faculty in both the sciences and humanities.</p>
<p>Epiphany: Under the leadership of Vassar's new president, Vassar is once again totally need-blind:</p>
<p>I do not believe that they have a strong international relations program. Although you can walk into Poughkeepsie, it is not a "college town." However, many students do take the train into NYC every now and then. It's about an hour and a half ride in.</p>
<p>OP: What about Tufts?</p>
<p>Smith (Northampton is a lovely small city.)</p>
<p>While Reed also popped into my mind, they are notoriously stingy with financial aid. However, for intellectual stimulation, they are unparalleled.</p>
<p>Lewis and Clark, also in Portland (OR), has an excellent international relations department, great financial aid. But also a reputation for preppiness and a certain intellectual laxity (of course, those are Reed students saying that).</p>
<p>this llist will show you which school have money to help thier students..it may be of intrest to you..... </p>
<p>LISTED BY ENDOWMENT PER STUDENT </p>
<pre><code> Endowment Per Total Endowment
Student** Market Value**
</code></pre>
<p>NAME 2006 Rank* (06/30/05) (06/30/05) # students </p>
<p>Grinnell College(IA) 14 $893,666 $1,390,545,000 1556
Pomona College(CA) 7 $837,825 1,298,629,000 1550
Swarthmore College(PA) 3 $789,735 1,164,069,000 1474
Williams College(MA) 1 $748,146 1,514,248,000 2024
Amherst College(MA) 2 $698,469 1,154,570,000 1653
Wellesley College(MA) 4 $557,347 1,275,767,000 2289
Smith College(MA) 19 $361,572 1,035,542,000 2864
Bowdoin College(ME) 7 $344,786 578,206,000 1677
Haverford College(PA) 9 $336,788 394,715,000 1172
Claremont McKenna College(CA) 12 $315,208 336,012,000 1066
Middlebury College(VT) 5 $306,253 721,839,000 2357
Hamilton College(NY) 17 $287,572 529,708,000 1842
Macalester College(MN) 24 $284,891 541,293,000 1900
Bryn Mawr College(PA) 20 $280,279 498,056,000 1777
Harvey Mudd College(CA) 14 $277,207 199,589,000 720
Carleton College(MN) 6 $274,779 536,094,000 1951
Vassar College(NY) 12 $271,254 671,354,000 2475
Washington and Lee University(VA) 17 $245,384 531,992,000 2168
Colby College(ME) 20 $232,952 424,205,000 1821
Davidson College(NC) 10 $222,963 382,159,000 1714
Oberlin College(OH) 22 $218,498 617,693,000 2827
Mount Holyoke College(MA) 24 $214,832 460,815,000 2145
Wesleyan University(CT) 10 $203,413 564,879,000 2777
Colgate University(NY) 16 $177,456 502,378,000 2831
Bates College(ME) 23 $119,055 207,512,000 1743 </p>
<pre><code> * As ranked by U.S. News and World Report, Fall 2006
** Endowment per student figures from 2004-2005 Council for Aid to Education data
</code></pre>
<p>OP--Notre Dame has well known programs in IR and middle eastern studies and is keen to recruit first generation and less-advantaged students. There is a TON of support available too-it's a very nurturing and homey place. </p>
<p>Although it is Catholic, non-Catholics and non-religious people say they are quite comfortable there. </p>
<p>South Bend isn't the most thrilling city, but Chicago is nearby and there is regular bus service from campus to Chicago.</p>
<p>There is also an electric commuter train from South Bend to Chicago. (At least there was when I lived there.)</p>
<p>What about Tufts? Urban but "cozy" with an IR focus and academic-minded students. Not sure how generous it is with FA, though.</p>