<p>Hmmm … while I wouldn’t tell someone that they WILL get great aid at that income level, I certainly would not say they WON’T. We pay less for my D at Vanderbilt than we would at UM in state. Her aid is need based, but I suspect it may be possible that there is some component of merit mixed in with the need (don’t know, just suspect). She also got some excellent merit/need packages at other top notch schools that made the bottom line (tuition/room/board/fees minus gift aid) less than UM. Then again, one school often praised for excellent aid would have cost much more than UM … even with a great merit scholarship.</p>
<p>My advice is to cast a wide net. Have some financial safeties & then look for schools known for great aid for students <em>like</em> your child.</p>