@boneh3ad - thanks for your reply. To clarify, all of the programs she applied to are for a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Any mistake in terminology is mine as she has driven the entire process but is now home for spring break talking to hubby and I about how she should proceed as she awaits decisions from her last few schools.
I believe that the acceptance letters have all come from the department of graduate admissions at the schools themselves. I know that at least some of the programs are thesis programs (Cornell for sure). If she contacts the department before accepting the admissions offer, will they be able to give her an idea of whether funding sources are available for MS students? This would likely be a critical factor in how she decides to move forward as hubby and I have funded undergrad amd she needs to work out grad school. Looking at the prospect of 100K+ in loans is not overly appealing to her.