Most schools told me that I didn't qualify for financial aid, but Carleton agreed to hire me for work study. The money and experience have been very valuable.

Financial aid definitely influenced my college decision. Not being from the most economically advantaged background, I was concerned with how I would be able to afford a college as expensive as Carleton. If the financial aid had not been up to par, I would be at the U of M instead.

Carleton was the only one of my top-choice colleges to offer me any financial aid. They gave me enough aid to make coming here manageable. I was thrilled.

Carleton admitted me with a full financial aid package. I was thrilled when I saw the offer and now I am grateful to Carleton for the privilege of being here with all the assistance I could ever dream of. My mother often tells me that I should always put an extra effort in whatever I am engaged in at Carleton because the school has made a huge investment in my education, it is a privilege that many would be thrilled to have.

I had difficulties getting my financial aid filled out because of family problems, and Carleton was the most patient and understanding of my situation. Also, the financial aid package made a first-class education more accessible to me than I had imagined.

I wouldn't have been able to attend Carleton if it hadn't been for a generous financial aid package. Of the private schools where I got accepted, it was actually the one that would have cost me the least to attend. I could have gotten virtually a free ride from the UCs, but I really wanted to attend here.

It's important not to get "sticker shock" when you start looking at colleges. The important number is the amount you will actually have to pay, not what the college costs--and there's often an enormous difference between the two. Carleton is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students. So be sure you don't narrow your choices down until you know the true bottom-line cost to you and your family.