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Do most students pay full tuition at private colleges? Nearly everyone I know attending private colleges has received some sort of aid, either merit or need-based. But few share the dollar amount. College pricing often resembles auto pricing, or airline tickets. I assume a small percentage may pay the "list price", but that most pay some sort of "street price" which is less, and varies considerably depending upon student, parental income, etc.
I'm a bit concerned about listing schools that supposedly give "a lot" of merit aid if it is typically less than 20% of the tuition. Granted, any amount is helpful, but i.m.h.o. "good" merit aid would bring the total tuition bill down to approximately equal what a state school would cost. Unfortunately, in most cases this would be at least half tuition at most private schools. "Great" merit aid, would of course be even more!!! (but in reality, those are typically reserved for a very small group of exceptional students).
"Token" merit aid, seems more a way to get the student in the door.
One local highschool claims that a huge percentage of their students receive scholarships to private colleges. Sounds great. I then found out that many do indeed receive merit scholarships, but only about $ 500-2000. That barely touches the surface at most private colleges!
I don't mean to offend anyone who has received merit scholarships. That is the only way my family will be able to attend colleges outside our state system. But I'm nervous when I hear the list of colleges that give good merit aid, only to find out the percentage of the total tuition bill is indeed very small.
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