| I am one of those parents who started researching financial aid options early. Like Curmudgeon was, I am afraid of my high-achieving D falling through the cracks when it comes to financial aid. Together we have come up with a few good options, but I'm still working on it (D is a hs sophomore, so I have a little more time). She really isn't excited about any of our state schools which would be the financial safeties (although as Sybbie pointed out, it may cost less to send her to a private since our state schools are not generous with their aid packages).
Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to everybody for posting their information - I'm finding it all very helpful. Realistically, I do not want to saddle either my D or myself with too many loans - I just can't see the sense in that, even for a dream school. At least now I know that schools may include loans when they say they meet 100% of a student's demonstrated need and I can look into which schools are less likely to include loans as part of the package - at least when it comes to crazy loan amounts. |