What is the average financial aid package awarded at ASU?

At Arizona State University (ASU), the average financial aid package is around $11,992 per year, with much of that coming from institutional grants and Pell Grants, though this varies greatly by individual need and circumstances, with over 80% of students receiving aid. Key factors determining aid include your FAFSA results, demonstrated financial need, and specific scholarships, with options ranging from merit-based to programs like Obama Scholars covering full costs for eligible Arizona residents.

Is ASU generous with financial aid?

Yes, Arizona State University (ASU) gives out a significant amount of financial aid, with over 80% of all students receiving some form of assistance, including scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study, making it quite accessible, and many students graduate with little or no debt. ASU offers competitive packages, including generous institutional aid for non-residents and a large amount of total aid (nearly $700 million annually), helping to offset costs, with nearly half of graduates finishing debt-free. 

How much do you normally get for financial aid?

How much does FAFSA provide? The FAFSA can provide up to $22,895 per year for dependent students and $27,895 for independent students. The average amount awarded is $16,810, with about $4,983 in grants. The amount of federal aid you can receive from FAFSA depends on your financial need.

What percent of students receive financial aid at ASU?

Carey awards over $1.3 million in scholarships to undergraduate students each year. More than 80% of ASU students receive some form of financial aid.

What college is $90,000 a year?

Several private colleges, including Tufts, Wellesley, Yale, Boston University, USC, Harvard, and Brown, have total annual costs (tuition, room, board, fees) exceeding $90,000 for the 2024-2025 school year, with Tufts reaching nearly $96,000, though generous financial aid often significantly reduces the net price for students. Other expensive options around that figure include Harvey Mudd College, University of Chicago, and The New School. 

Understanding Financial Aid

What is the #1 most expensive college in the US?

The #1 most expensive college in the U.S. varies slightly by report and year, but Columbia University, University of Southern California (USC), and Vassar College frequently top the lists for 2024-2025, with total costs (tuition, fees, room, board) exceeding $90,000-$97,000 annually, though aid significantly reduces actual costs for many students at these institutions.
 

What might a $300,000 college cost a $200,000 family?

For a $200,000 income family facing a $300,000 total college cost, the family's expected contribution (after financial aid) can range widely, from under $10,000 to over $50,000 annually, depending heavily on the specific college's policies (like home equity treatment) and the family's assets, with some need-blind, generous schools offering significant aid, while others expect a large out-of-pocket payment. You can expect a potential out-of-pocket cost of $30,000-$45,000 per year at some private schools, but potentially much less (or even tuition-free) at highly selective institutions with strong endowments. 

Did any billionaires go to ASU?

Yes, at least one known billionaire, Joe Shoen (CEO of U-Haul), attended ASU and earned his law degree there, while others like businesswoman Barbara Barrett (former Ambassador) and tech CEO Kentaro Kawamori (Persefoni) are notable, successful alumni, indicating ASU produces many high-achieving individuals who become very wealthy. While ASU isn't always listed at the top for total billionaire alumni like Harvard or Stanford, it has many wealthy and influential graduates. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is ASU a top 100 university?

ASU ranks top 10 in the nation and No. 14 globally for interdisciplinary science by Times Higher Education, ahead of Michigan, Illinois and Texas. The ranking evaluates more than 600 universities worldwide in three areas: financial investment, institutional support and research output.

Will I get financial aid if my parents make over $400,000?

Yes, you can still get financial aid even if your parents earn over $400k, as there's no strict income cutoff for the FAFSA, but need-based grants will likely be reduced; you may qualify for federal loans, institutional aid, merit scholarships, or other resources, so always apply to see what you're eligible for based on your family's specific situation (size, assets, other factors). 

Is $70,000 too much for FAFSA?

No, $70k isn't inherently "too much" for the FAFSA, as there's no strict income cutoff, and eligibility depends on family size, costs, and assets, but it significantly reduces need-based grants, though you'll likely qualify for federal student loans and some schools offer aid at this income level, especially for high-cost colleges or specific programs like QuestBridge. The FAFSA is always worth filling out to see your Student Aid Index (SAI) and potential aid, even for higher incomes, using tools like the Federal Student Aid Estimator. 

What is the #1 most common FAFSA mistake?

The #1 most common FAFSA mistake is leaving fields blank, often due to confusion, which can delay or reject applications; instead, enter '0' or 'N/A'. Other major errors include incorrect personal info (Name/SSN mismatch), mixing up student/parent answers, misreporting income/asset data (using wrong tax year), and missing early deadlines for limited funds.
 

Do parents who make $120000 still qualify for FAFSA?

Yes, parents making $120,000 can still qualify for some federal student aid through the FAFSA, as there's no strict income cut-off, but eligibility for need-based grants like the Pell Grant decreases with higher income, though they might still get federal loans or access to merit-based aid/work-study. Eligibility depends on the Student Aid Index (SAI), considering family size, assets, and the college's Cost of Attendance (COA), so always fill out the FAFSA to see what your specific situation qualifies for. 

What are ASU's hidden fees?

Are there any hidden fees? $400 to add it to your ASU transcript for college credit (This fee is paid at the end of the course if you are satisfied with your grade.) If you apply to ASU, you'll also pay an application fee. Learn more about the admissions process.

Is ASU 100% acceptance rate?

No, Arizona State University (ASU) does not have a 100% acceptance rate; it's around 90%, meaning it's not highly selective, and most applicants who meet basic requirements are accepted, though some competitive majors like Engineering can be harder to get into. For the majority of students, meeting typical GPA and test score expectations (SAT 1120-1380/ACT 19-28) makes admission very likely.
 

Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, often defined by family income, tend to go to highly selective, elite universities like Dartmouth, Yale, Penn, Brown, Princeton, and Stanford, MIT, and Harvard, with some Ivy League schools having a higher concentration of these students than the bottom 60% of income earners. Rankings vary, but MIT, Princeton, Harvard, Stanford, and UC Berkeley consistently appear at the top for overall academic standing, attracting top talent across all income levels. 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

Is ASU really ahead of MIT and Stanford?

Yes, Arizona State University (ASU) is consistently ranked #1 in Innovation by U.S. News & World Report, ahead of MIT and Stanford, for over a decade, but this reflects specific metrics like curriculum, technology, and societal impact, while overall rankings for other areas like overall prestige, research power, or specific STEM fields might differ, so it depends on what "ahead" means to you. ASU leads in innovation because of its focus on bold ideas and reimagining education, while MIT and Stanford often top general rankings or specialized science/tech lists. 

Is ASU still a top party school?

ASU still has a significant party scene due to its large size, location near Scottsdale, and strong Greek life, but its reputation has shifted from being solely a "party school" to a more balanced university with a strong academic focus (notably #1 in Innovation) under President Crow, meaning students can find intense parties if they look, but also a large variety of academic and social options. While official rankings have dropped (e.g., Niche 2025 ranked ASU 62nd), parties remain a big part of the culture for many, with options almost every night, though rules on campus are stricter. 

Who are the 11 billionaires in Arizona?

Richest billionaires in Arizona

• #15. Ken Kendrick. - Net worth: $1.2 billion. ...
• #14. Jahm Najafi. - Net worth: $1.3 billion. ...
• #13. Peter Sperling. - Net worth: $1.7 billion. ...
• #12. Jerry Moyes & family. - Net worth: $1.7 billion. ...
• #11. George Christ & family. - Net worth: $1.7 billion. ...
• #10. Rick Smith. ...
• #9. Bennett Dorrance. ...
• #8. E.

Is $200,000 per year middle class?

In California, a household can be considered middle class if it makes between $63,674 and $191,042. However, that range can change at the city level. SmartAsset used U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 1-year data and analyzed the median household income in 100 of the largest U.S. cities and all states.

What is the 50/30/20 rule for college students?

The 50/30/20 rule for college students is a simple budgeting guideline: 50% of after-tax income for Needs (rent, tuition, groceries, transport), 30% for Wants (dining out, entertainment, shopping), and 20% for Savings & Debt (emergency fund, loans, future goals). It provides a clear structure to manage limited funds, encouraging essential spending, controlled fun, and saving, though percentages can be adjusted to fit individual circumstances like high living costs or debt.
 

How do middle class families afford Ivy League schools?

To pay for college, middle-class families can rely on cash savings, scholarships, grants, federal student loans, and private student loans.