<p>I agree with Calmom. There are so many mixed stories one hears and reads, that you truly have to do your own research. Also keep in mind that not all you hear or read is true. I know that many of the stories I heard were truly tall tales, big fish stories. Generous scholarships turned into minute financial aid when checked out. Colleges that did not give athletic scholarships were supposedly giving them out. Also a lot of college bashing that was exaggerated.
I think that Northstarmom’s suggestion of investing in USNWR’s college on line premier service is a good one. It can give you averages and amounts of merit/financial aid. It would help you avoid applying to a school like Penn State expecting a generous merit or financial aid package. If a school does not meet most kids’ need, it is likely not to meet yours unless the kid is way, way up there in stats. That’s the other thing about aid. You should be in the upper 5-10% of the students to expect a good package. Also male/female, geographics, rare majors can come into play. FOr instance, Johns Hopkins is going to love a French major whereas it has enough premeds to fill every seat. Fordham has enough Catholic NYC region kids with their midrange SATs that can pay the tuition. Why spend valuable merit money to lure them? A 1400 male from Ohio, is a whole different story.</p>