<p>Is it advisable to apply to expensive, highly selective schools knowing that you can only go there if they offer a substantial aid package. In my case, my family makes about $70,000 dollars a year and my mother is on retirement disbality. I plan on applying to many top schools (my top choices being swarthmore, georgetown, UVA and davdison) and I need to know if I should apply there knowing I need at least an 80%-of-tuiton scholarship.</p>
<p>I would first suggest that you run your preliminary numbers through one of the financial aid calculators so that your can get a feeling for your EFC. Unless you are the creme de la creme of the applicant pool, it would be hard to get full tuition scholarships at state schools where you are an out of state resident because they are first and formemost committed to providing affordable educations to their state residents.</p>
<p>I would also recommend that you read the thread on free rides in this forum, because even in schools that meet 100% of your demonstrated need, that need will most likely be met through a combination of work-study loans and grant/scholarships.</p>
<p>You should really research the finanical aid policies at your prospective schools and also look at the average grant/scholarship aid and the average amount of student debt at graduation.</p>
<p>In addition to following Sybbie’s excellent advise, also make sure that you apply to a financial safety – a school that you know you can afford, will definitely get accepted to, and would love attending. Often such schools are local state public universities that have special scholarships and other programs for students in the area.</p>