eliza61
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 2, 2003
From what I've seen, both when I was in school and now that my son's friends have siblings starting college, private universities are often more affordable than public if your child is a strong, well-rounded student simply because they have more resources for gift aid. We know a number of families around us who ended up choosing 30K/year private universities (nowhere near Ivy caliber, but good schools) over the 15K/year public choices because the total aid package made private the more affordable option.
We found this to be true also. My son applied to and was accepted to both Seton Hall and St. Joe's university. both private, catholic schools, both hovering around 45K. both offered about 22K/year in grant money to him.
Of course he picks the school the offers him the least amount of money and is 10 hours away. My child. I'm probably the only mother on the planet who is actively planning on being a burden to her son in her old age.