<p>If you are looking to avoid going into debt, you are not looking for schools that give good financial aid. </p>
<p>A Financial Aid Award Package may very likely include lots of loans, and no scholarships (ie, the word ‘award’ doesn’t mean ‘scholarship’)</p>
<p>Aid encompasses loans, workstudy and scholarships.</p>
<p>You are looking for schools where you qualify for merit-based scholarships (ie, grants, not loans) and can afford to pay the balance, or very competitive schools where your family will qualify for need-based grants instead of loans.</p>
<p>Sit down with your parents and find out how much they are expecting to contribute.</p>