Schools that give full-ride scholarships

Hi, folks! I'm really concerned about the cost of college and I'd love to get a full ride. Do you all know any schools that offer full rides or great financial aid packages? Thank you in advance!

Hi! It's a smart idea to consider the cost of college when making your decision. There are many universities that offer full-ride scholarships or generous financial aid packages. Here are some examples:

1. Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.) generally have some of the most generous financial aid policies. For example, they often meet 100% of demonstrated financial need and have a no-loan policy, meaning your financial aid package consists entirely of grants and work-study. Families with incomes below a certain threshold (typically around $65,000) may receive a full ride.

2. Tier 1 public universities, such as University of Virginia, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Michigan offer full-ride scholarships based on merit as well as need-based aid. For example, the Carolina Covenant at UNC-Chapel Hill covers 100% of demonstrated financial need with no loans.

3. Privately funded programs at select universities, like the Gates Millennium Scholars Program or the Posse Foundation, are available to students meeting specific eligibility requirements. These programs can cover the full cost of tuition, room and board, and more.

4. School-specific merit scholarships at universities like Tulane, Vanderbilt, and Emory can provide full or almost full rides based upon your academic achievements and/or extracurricular involvement.

If you're applying to private universities, make sure to fill out the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. This can help maximize your financial aid opportunities at these schools. Be aware of each school's financial aid application deadlines, and remember that some full-ride scholarships may require separate applications or have earlier deadlines.

Good luck in your college search and application process!