Which colleges grant the most financial aid?

I'm starting to look for colleges, and due to my family's financial situation, financial aid will be a large factor for me. Does anyone know which colleges tend to grant the most financial aid to their students?

Many colleges are known to be generous with financial aid, particularly for families with demonstrated financial need.

One category to look at is the Ivy League, which is traditionally generous with financial aid. For instance, Harvard University has a policy where families earning less than $85,000 per year pay nothing towards the cost of attendance, and those with incomes between $85,000 and $150,000 pay between 0 and 10% of their annual income.

Princeton University, Yale University, and Stanford University also have robust financial aid programs. Princeton, for example, offers no-loan financial aid packages which means that, as opposed to loans, the aid provided does not need to be paid back.

Another school to consider is Amherst College. Known for its commitment to financial aid, the institution meets 100% of all demonstrated financial need.

Vanderbilt University is also known for being generous with financial aid. Their Opportunity Vanderbilt initiative ensures that the institution meets 100% of a family’s demonstrated financial need.

Remember that it's important to use each school's net price calculator to get an estimate of the aid you could receive, as aid varies dramatically based on individual circumstances.

In general, any college that commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need can be a good choice for students with significant financial concerns. Keep in mind that "meeting need" could still include loans in the financial aid package for some of these schools, so it's important to verify the details of each school's financial aid policies.