<p>For the past year I've almost solely been looking at public schools (UCs). I am now a rising Senior, and am currently not sure if this is the right choice for me. With the budget crisis and cuts, I fear that UCs may have to increase their tuition yet again, and that their lack of funding might lead to a poor education. I have toured the top six UCs, and loved the feel of most of them. My problem now is that I haven't really looked into private colleges at all, and would have to completely start over to find ones that fit my needs (I don't really have an idea of what I want to major in, so it's hard to find a good match). Basically I'm wondering if UCs are going to hike up their tuition yet again anytime in the next 4 years, and would a private college give enough finincial aid to help offset the higher cost? I would consider myself middle class, if that helps. I feel completely lost right now, any adive would be appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>I took the CC college finder, and these are my top matches:
1. Carnegie Mellon
2. U of So Cal (have toured it)
3. Johns Hopkins
4. NYU
5. U of Miami
6. Pitzer
7. Northeastern
8. George Washington U
9. Illinois Institute of Technology
10. Lewis and Clark</p>
<p>JeSuis, I would pick up a “Princeton Review Best 373 Colleges” (out August 3rd) or “Fiske Guide To Colleges” and read about those colleges in them. You should get a good idea of what type of colleges appeal to you and what don’t.</p>
<p>Currently, the CC college finder has given you a whole bunch of colleges that are of different variety. You may not like all of them.</p>
<p>But yes, a private college now a days has the potential to be cheaper than a public college.</p>
<p>Thank you so much, I’ll definitely pick one of those books up. I’m just confused as to how financial aid works in general. I feel so ill informed compared to everyone else. Do you find out your FA when you recieve admittance? How do I know what schools will give me adequate FA?</p>
<p>UCs probably will raise their fees, but being in-state they still may be the most affordable. What are your stats (GPA and scores)? This is key in how much you might get from the schools you listed. Being “middle class” means you probably won’t qualify for more than some Stafford loans for FA. So now you’re at merit aid. Using Lewis and Clark as an example, they have 10 full tuition scholarships they award annually, but those are very competitive. DD2 had a 4.0UW and a 34 ACT, and got 1/2 tuition. That still leaves $27K to pay.</p>
<p>You can do a couple of on-line financial aid calculators to get a general idea of what your family might be expected to contribute. I think College Board has one. You will need some help from your parents.</p>
<p>I have a 3.7 uw, 4.14 weighted. 31 ACT. I would only really want to go to a private college if the cost was almost the same as a UC after FA (I wouldn’t really count loans, only gift aid). I’m not very educated on how FA works; I have no idea how readily colleges give out gift aid. I would be willing to pay a few thousand more for a private college, but not twice as much.</p>
<p>Need-based financial aid is given based on family income and assets. Some schools meet all demonstrated need without loans (not very many) and the aid goes down from there. Some schools offer merit aid that is not need based and it is awarded for talent: music, academic, athletic, etc.</p>
<p>Your family will fill out financial aid forms after January 1 of the year you will start school (and each year after). The colleges will notify you af need-based aid some time after you are accepted. For merit aid, sometimes you will hear earlier (not always).</p>