How should I compare the value of merit aid from the University of Georgia and Northeastern?

UGA’s lower published cost, especially for Georgia residents, means each scholarship dollar often reduces a smaller starting bill. Compare the schools using the amount your family would actually pay, not the scholarship headline.

Build a four-year estimate for each college: tuition and mandatory fees, housing and food, health insurance if required, travel, books, and realistic personal expenses, minus only grants and scholarships that are guaranteed. Confirm whether the award is renewable, the minimum GPA and enrollment requirements, the number of funded semesters, and whether the college can reduce institutional aid if you receive outside scholarships. Also account for likely annual tuition and housing increases rather than assuming this year’s bill will stay fixed.

Co-op earnings can offset living costs and provide valuable experience, but they should not be treated as guaranteed aid or used to justify substantially more borrowing.

Finally, compare borrowing, not just cost. A package that leaves you with less debt after four years is usually worth more than a larger-looking award at a higher-cost institution. Put each offer into a one-page side-by-side budget using the exact renewal terms in your financial-aid letters; that will reveal whether Northeastern’s higher scholarship actually closes its underlying price gap.