<p>What type of schools give you better Financial Aid Packages- Public or Private Colleges? And why and if you could give me an example or a real life situation please and thank you :)</p>
<p>It’s more complex than your simple question. Generally aid is of 4 types; Federal aid which is limited to a small grant or loan for low income families and a smallish loan available to everyone and possibly a work/study job, Financial aid which is institutional aid -grants and scholarships that do not need to be paid back and Merit aid which is also institutional aid awarded various things like good high school GPA, standardized test scores, community activity, diversity, geographic location and finally merit scholarships from funds given to the college by alumni and supports which might be dependent on grades, major, interests. At the top of the forum are some threads that are permanently positioned. Start reading there and then come back with specific questions and many will help. </p>
<p>Also sit with your parents and run one of the price calculators to get an idea of generally how much your family will be expected to pay at a minimum and then have a discussion with them about how much they feel they can actually pay. That will be the foundation from which you can build your college list.</p>
<p>There’s no clear answer.</p>
<p>I’ve seen Calif kids with rather avg stats get good aid pkgs from their UC and CSU schools because of fed and state aid.</p>
<p>I’ve seen kids get awful pkgs from some privates.</p>
<p>The higher ranked privates often give better aid pkgs. However, NYU is a highly ranked private that often gives lousy aid.</p>
<p>There are many publics and privates that don’t have much aid to give.</p>
<p>It really depends on the student, the parents’ income and the state.</p>
<p>There are times when it’s cheaper to go to a private school, but that’s if a student has high stats (GPA and test scores) and gets into an excellent private school which gives great aid. </p>
<p>The very top private schools don’t give merit aid, but rather award funds based on demonstrated family need, which means they look at the family’s income.</p>
<p>Other private schools and public universities give a mixture of merit aid and aid based on income.</p>
<p>Have you had your parents use the Net Price Calculators on different schools’ websites? </p>
<p>A school that gives great aid will not give great aid if income/assets are too high.</p>
<p>Also, if your have a NCP, then that parent’s income may also get considered.</p>