Need Aid: Which Top Colleges Help Most?

I'm a bit stressed about college finances. I was wondering - does anyone here know which top-tier colleges tend to offer the most generous financial aid packages? Any advice or info would be greatly appreciated!

Absolutely, while college costs can be daunting, many top-tier colleges have strong financial aid programs in place. In general, Ivy League schools and a substantial number of other highly selective colleges do their utmost to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of their students. Here are a few schools known for their generous aid:

1. Stanford University: Stanford guarantees to meet 100% of a family's demonstrated need. For families making under $65,000 a year, Stanford not only waives tuition but also room and board. Tuition is also covered for families making between $65,000 and $125,000.

2. Harvard University: Much like Stanford, Harvard meets 100% of demonstrated need. Families earning less than $85,000 annually are not expected to contribute to the cost of attendance. Families earning between $85,000 and $150,000 will only contribute between 0-10% of their income.

3. MIT: Also meets 100% of demonstrated need. Families earning below $140,000 have all tuition covered through scholarships and grants.

4. Princeton University: Princeton provides students with an all-grant financial aid package which means students graduate debt-free. No loans are included in the packages. A gross family income under $65,000 covers full tuition and room and board. For families making under $250,000, there will be a percentage of gross annual income paid for the families.

5. Yale University: Yale commits to meet 100% of demonstrated need. If the family's income is less than $75,000 a year, parents aren't expected to make any financial contribution to their child's education.

6. Columbia University: Columbia practices need-blind admission, which means your financial situation won't affect your admission decision, and meets 100% of the demonstrated need for all admitted students.

Remember that these colleges determine financial needs using their own methodologies, which may differ from the federal methodology used by FAFSA. Therefore, what these schools consider as your demonstrated need might be different from what you or other financial aid offices calculate.

To get a more exact idea of what you might pay at different schools, I would recommend using each school's Net Price Calculator. This tool will give you an estimate of the financial aid you could receive if you attend that school. It's a helpful way to compare aid packages across different schools.