<p>Northwestern is actually WAY more expensive than UIUC. It comes out to $25k/year vs $9k/year at UIUC. I like the school a lot more, but it doesn’t seem worth it. It’s pretty upsetting too because their financial aid is supposed to be really good. My mother owns a property and even though she owes as much on it as it is worth, they think we’re rich. Also, the ridiculous EFC they come up with, based on the collegeboard’s calculator won’t change with scholarships. They will keep it at what it is and take away grants. ALSO, the director of financial aid wasn’t the least bit helpful. I tried to explain that they failed to capture my financial circumstances and I can’t afford to go there. She dismissed it, saying that my demonstrated need has been met and said that I should go somewhere else if I can’t afford it. Sorry for the rant, but this is really killing me!</p>