TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Private schools’ financial aid often varies, with some institutions proving far more generous than others. Across the United States, many private colleges offset the high price of tuition by offering substantial aid packages. This approach has enabled a growing number of students to graduate without being crushed by escalating student debt.
List of Private Schools Offering the Most Financial Aid
In determining remarkable private schools offering generous financial aid, Forbes examined the share of students receiving grant assistance. The findings revealed that the top 10 institutions below extend this support to nearly 95% of their student bodies.
1. Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College falls first in the category of the most generous private school financial aid, offering more than 80% of the total cost of attendance. Every year during their undergraduate programs, students are granted a $35,647 scholarship out of the $44,295. Additionally, freshmen are also led to endless opportunities of out-of-class lecturers that include plays, concerts, and trips to galleries.
2. Berea College
Berea College is hailed as the second school that gives the most financial aid to its student body. In exchange for the annual tuition, the liberal arts college counts on the full participation of its scholars to join a work-study program where at least 10 hours per week are spent working for the school. Through this program, qualifying jobs like bussing tables, crafting, janitorial work, groundskeeping and building management can help cover $41,626 of the total $60,718 annual tuition, which makes every sweat worth it.
3. Albion College
Among the colleges with the best financial aid, Albion College in Michigan covers 66% of the entire annual scholarship, which makes about $46,051 of the $70,116. On top of the grant money, students can enjoy five miles of hiking trails and 140 acres of outdoor education space.
4. Soka University of America
Soka University of America is another private school with the most generous financial aid, with requirements varying from learning a non-native language for at least two years to spending a freshman semester abroad. Founded in 1987 by Buddhist leader Daisaku Ikeda, the school grants 60% of the total cost of attendance in the academic year. Annually, students get $32,579 discounts on all the $55,064 tuition.
5. Beloit College
Deemed as one of the prestigious schools that give the most financial aid, Beloit College proves that small class sizes aren’t less powerful. With classes having only 15 students, this old college can focus on paying 58% of the entire tuition for their scholars. Within Wisconsin's first-ever college, students receive an average $41,931 discount from the $71,959 annual tuition.
6. Ohio Wesleyan University
As a part of the prestigious Ohio Five, Ohio Wesleyan University grants a 58% discount on the entire annual tuition. For this, the private school’s financial aid evidently emerges among the generous programs, covering $40,326 price tags from $69,383 tuition.
7. Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College dazzles among the colleges with the best financial aid, thanks to its exemplary initiative that offers scholarships to 98% of its students. Covering an average of $42,259, their scholars are granted 57% financial assistance. Additionally, all students can benefit from “the K plan,” which encourages them to apply for study abroad opportunities, internships, undergraduate research, and much more.
8. Lawrence University
Best known for its Conservatory of Music, Lawrence University stands at the forefront of liberal arts colleges. Time and time again, the private school grants financial aid that covers $38,867 of an annual $69,849 tuition. By receiving a 56% discount, undergraduate scholars agree to join first-year studies courses during their first trimester.
9. The College of Wooster
Another rightful member of the Ohio Five, The College of Wooster, stands tall among the schools that give the most financial aid. Here, all students can pursue their desired majors while receiving some amount of the financial aid. For the record, the school grants an average scholarship of $42,063, which covers 55% of the $75,800 annual tuition.
10. University of Tulsa
The University of Tulsa closes the list with a string of accolades, ranging from 66 Goldwater scholarships, 27 Fulbright grants, and 76 National Science Foundation graduate fellowships. All of the 2,735 undergraduate students enrolled during the 2023-2024 academic year receive some financial aid, with the average scholarship standing at $36,801 or 55% of the entire cost of attendance annually.
In today’s era, private schools’ financial aid continues to play a vital role in shaping access to higher education. For students and families weighing their options, exploring schools that give the most financial aid can open doors to top-tier opportunities while keeping costs within reach, proving that colleges with the best financial aid are not only about prestige, but also about making education truly attainable.
If you are ready to dive deeper into the tertiary education institutions, check also the best universities in the world for the upcoming academic year, here.
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