Anonymous wrote:I don’t know any specifics in terms of how aid is distributed but at a recent Carleton alumni event the President said one of their top priorities is financial aid for essentially “donut hole” families (how I hate that term).

We heard this too, from the admissions and financial aid director (who just retired). Carleton says they were concerned that the college was becoming all wealthy, full pay students + students who needed more than 75% of the cost in financial aid. They are hoping to balance the student body somewhat, by offering more financial aid to families with incomes between ~$80,000-200,000, whose "income hasn't increased at the same rate as the cost of college."

Like every other college that requires the CSS, they consider more than a family's recent/current income when determining an admitted student's financial need and net price.

Carleton tuition + room and board is now $71K.

My DC is going to Carleton (class of 2023). Our gross income is about $160K and the Carleton NPC said we'd be responsible for just under $40K. The final award was more; net cost will be just under $30K, including our student taking our $2500 in a loan and working on campus (Carleton's default is that earnings from campus jobs to go directly to the bursar's office).

They give few merit scholarships (total of 30 in 18-19 for 529 first-year students).

I think it's worth applying, but have a clear agreement about your financial situation. Had our award not been larger than expected, DC would not be attending.

Anonymous wrote:First your kid has to get in

very true!

Anonymous wrote:

Isn’t it like 60k a year? Still not affordable with a 17k discount.
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Pssssst! They make $200k per year. So maybe it would be affordable (for them) with a $17k per year discount.

With NPC we get a COA of about $58K at Carleton- so aid of ~10K/year. However, our younger will start college two years after older, so maybe it'd go up when she's two years in? Yeah, $17K would make it more affordable. $51K/year is a bit of a strech - $68K is just not happening.

First your kid has to get in

I don’t know any specifics in terms of how aid is distributed but at a recent Carleton alumni event the President said one of their top priorities is financial aid for essentially “donut hole” families (how I hate that term).

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t it like 60k a year? Still not affordable with a 17k discount.

that works out to $68K over 4 years...

Isn’t it like 60k a year? Still not affordable with a 17k discount.
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Pssssst! They make $200k per year. So maybe it would be affordable (for them) with a $17k per year discount.

Isn’t it like 60k a year? Still not affordable with a 17k discount.

I imagine some of them have multiple kids in college

Did you run the Net Price Calculator on Carleton's website? What was the result?

So this is interesting.
49% of families at Carleton making over $200K received financial aid with the average award being about $17,000/year. What would the financial situation of said families be? We are right at $200K and Carleton could be affordable for my kid if we got $17000/year in aid.

https://www.carleton.edu/admissions/apply/steps/profile/