<p>Don’t focus too much on financial aid, I’m sure you’ll get a good financial aid package at the majority of private universities. In fact I’ve read that the average student ends up paying more at a public university than a private. Apply to the schools you want to go to, and then see the financial aid packages. If a school has a quality program + reputation, sometimes you have to consider the long term. For some reason…people like to tell students (particularly in this forum) to focus more on finances or what their family can afford, no matter whether the student indicates that they are low income or not…I won’t explain as to why I think this is, I’m sure you already know, but don’t let them hold you back.</p>