son is getting "express" applications...

carolyn
Mon, 18 Sep 2006 22:20:41 +0000

Rellielou, Also keep in mind that colleges give preferential financial aid packages to students towards the top of their admit pile. This is true even at schools that guarantee to meet 100% of need. What I mean by “preferential” is that more desirable students may be offered less loans and more grants (i.e., money that doesn’t have to be paid back). This is in addition to the issue of merit scholarships which, of course, are often not based on need (although not always!).

Additionally, the fact that you have four children to put through school is likely to be a plus in your favor when it comes to financial aid calculations, so do apply for aid.

I second NorthstarMom’s recommendations of Earlham and Beloit as places that are top-notch academically but have to work a little harder to attract applicants and are thus generous with merit money. Other possibilities would be Lawrence University in Wisconsin, Denison in Ohio, and Hobart & William Smith in New York. Earlham and Beloit, however, have a very similar “feel” to Hampshire and Bennington, in terms of tending to attract highly creative students. Both are also particularly receptive to applications from Home-schooled applicants.

If you send me a private message, I’d be happy to send you some good resources to help you sort out the whole issue of financial aid, preferential packaging, and scholarships.