Colleges Known for Good Financial Aid Packages?

Hey everyone, as I plan for college, financial matters are a big concern for me. So, are there colleges that are known for offering really good financial aid packages? Eager to hear your thoughts and experiences.

Absolutely, certain colleges are indeed known for their generous financial aid packages.

For example, Ivy League universities such as Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Columbia, and other top-tier universities including Stanford and MIT are known for their generous financial aid policies. These institutions generally meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all students, including international ones, and have "no-loans" financial aid policies, meaning that all demonstrated need is covered through grants and work-study, not loans.

Schools like Amherst College, Bowdoin College, and Washington and Lee University are also known for their generous financial aid. They are also need-blind and meet 100% demonstrated need, but unlike the Ivies, they are liberal arts colleges.

In terms of public universities, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of Virginia are known for meeting 100% of demonstrated need for in-state students, and UNC does so for out-of-state students as well.

Keep in mind, what counts as "good" financial aid can be subjective, depending on factors such as your family's financial situation or whether you qualify for merit-based aid. It's a good idea to use the net price calculators available on each college's financial aid website to estimate your costs based on your personal financial situation.

Remember to consider both need-based financial aid (which is based on your family's income) and merit-based aid (which is based on your achievements) when doing your research!