<p>We found Vandy to be extremely generous with need based aid. Our package included minimal loan & work study. When comparing aid packages, make sure you compare apples to apples. Take out just tuition/room/board/fees for each school … then subtract just “free” money (grants) for each school. See what the bottom line is for you. Some schools give you what looks like a great package, but there may be lots of self help packaged in (loans/work study). We found that Vandy was the best of all D’s schools for purely need based aid. Of course, if a school gives you merit aid, that school might come out better for you (that happened to us). If you are not going to get merit, though, I can tell you that Vandy will be one of your best bets. This assumes, of course, that you have unmet need. No school is going to give you money to meet your EFC (unless you appeal & have extenuating circumstances — and even then, not all schools will be swayed).</p>