Fifty-two Schools top 50K tuition mark.

[jym626]

RU sure those figures refer to GRANT aid, or possibly *all* financial aid (including loans, merit $$, work study, etc), or possibly all non- merit $$ (as some of these schools don't give merit $$), which would still include loans and work-study, not just grant (which doesnt have to be repaid)

[cptofthehouse]

Last year, the cost estimates from a number of private schools, none making this list, topped $60K for total cost.

[Pizzagirl]

Can we agree that financial concerns may deserve consideration even if a family can afford full pay at any college? I definitely am not trying to argue that a student should always go to the cheapest school or that $50k is always too expensive, just that less-expensive schools can offer opportunities not available if all the money is going towards tuition.

I don't know why we need to "agree" on this because my opinion on how other people spend their money or make big financial decisions isn't really all that relevant to those people. Why do "we" all need to come to consensus? "We" aren't writing the tuition checks. If my neighbor says he's only going to send his kids to U of I and doesn't see a need to ever send them elsewhere, I might *personally* disagree with him for *my* family, but I don't see why I need to weigh in on his choice. It's not my checkbook, it's his.

[ellemenope]

If only the collective "we" were writing my tuition checks...

[berryberry61]

noimagination - Bravo to you!!! Given your posts and cogent points made on this thread, you are wise beyond your years and I have no doubt you will succeed in whatever you do.

Best of luck to you

[noimagination]

RU sure those figures refer to GRANT aid, or possibly *all* financial aid (including loans, merit $$, work study, etc), or possibly all non- merit $$ (as some of these schools don't give merit $$), which would still include loans and work-study, not just grant (which doesnt have to be repaid)

I'm just quoting the description on IPEDS. Either way, any applicants to NYU should note that the CC conventional wisdom is backed up by data - only a bit over half receive some sort of institutional aid, and the average amount still leaves a lot to cover.

I don't know why we need to "agree" on this because my opinion on how other people spend their money or make big financial decisions isn't really all that relevant to those people. Why do "we" all need to come to consensus? "We" aren't writing the tuition checks. If my neighbor says he's only going to send his kids to U of I and doesn't see a need to ever send them elsewhere, I might *personally* disagree with him for *my* family, but I don't see why I need to weigh in on his choice. It's not my checkbook, it's his.

Well, I'm not suggesting that you barge into your neighbor's living room and interrogate him on his financial decisions. But if he were to ask your opinion (such as on a discussion forum dedicated to college admissions, if you were to frequent any such place), I think it would be very fair to bring up any criterion you feel is valid when considering a college choice. And when responding to a thread asking for college suggestions, I think it is more than fair to bring up schools you consider excellent values and provide cost as a positive descriptor regardless of the OP's income.

Sound reasonable to you?

@berryberry61: Thank you for the compliment, deserved or not

EDIT: Post #1234!

[jym626]

I'm just quoting the description on IPEDS

If you post the IPEDS link to what you are citing we can discern if it is grant or loan or both.

Isnt berryberry the poster who referred to others as suckers??

[noimagination]

^
Percentage receiving institutional grant aid:

Percentage of full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students who received institutional grants (scholarships/fellowships).

Institutional grants - Scholarships and fellowships granted and funded by the institution and/or individual departments within the institution, (i.e., instruction, research, public service) that may contribute indirectly to the enhancement of these programs . Includes scholarships targeted to certain individuals (e.g., based on state of residence, major field of study, athletic team participation) for which the institution designates the recipient.

Undergraduate - A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate

Full-time student (Undergraduate) — A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, or 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more contact hours a week each term.

First-time student (undergraduate) - A student attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. Includes students enrolled in academic or occupational programs . Also includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term, and students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).

Degree/certificate-seeking students - Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or other formal award. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.
Variable Sources
IPEDS, Spring 2007, Student Financial Aid component

Average amount of institutional grant aid received:

Average amount of institutional grants (scholarships/fellowships) received by full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students.

Institutional grants - Scholarships and fellowships granted and funded by the institution and/or individual departments within the institution, (i.e., instruction, research, public service) that may contribute indirectly to the enhancement of these programs . Includes scholarships targeted to certain individuals (e.g., based on state of residence, major field of study, athletic team participation) for which the institution designates the recipient.

Undergraduate - A student enrolled in a 4- or 5-year bachelor's degree program, an associate's degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate

Full-time student (Undergraduate) — A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, or 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more contact hours a week each term.

First-time student (undergraduate) - A student attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. Includes students enrolled in academic or occupational programs . Also includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term, and students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).

Degree/certificate-seeking students - Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or other formal award. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.
Variable Sources
IPEDS, Spring 2007, Student Financial Aid component

[eddieodessa]

NewHope33 - I actually thought you were joking when you asked TaxGuy about a condo in DC for $125,000. There is no way. Maybe if you look north an hour or so away, but I don't think there are even condo's up here that cheap. Maybe...

[jym626]

No I-
Please provide the url link so we can read the report in its entirety

[noimagination]

^ I got my information from the Info button by each variable on the IPEDS Data Center, but perhaps the actual survey will tell you what you want to know: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/surveys/2007/pdf/sfa_2007.pdf

[jym626]

Nope, NI, that link doesnt take you to the tables you cited. Can you go to those tables and then provide the link? Also, isnt there anything newer than 2007 data? They indicated that they changed the method of citing grants and financial aid in 2008, I believe, to adjust for prepaid plans, etc.. http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/news_room/a...2_2008_188.asp

[noimagination]

IPEDS Data Center

That's the actual data center. You can find the variable I used under Frequently used/Derived -> Student financial aid of full-time first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduate students

[jym626]

No matter, since the data is out of date.