How should I compare financial aid packages from Emory and the University of Rochester?

Choose the offer with the lower guaranteed four-year amount your family must actually pay, not the one that lists the larger total “aid” figure. For Emory and the University of Rochester, start with each school’s full cost of attendance for your housing and meal-plan choice, then subtract only scholarships and grants that do not need to be repaid. That result is your initial net price.

Compare the same categories side by side: tuition and required fees, housing, food, books and supplies, health insurance if applicable, personal expenses, and travel from home. Emory’s Atlanta location and Rochester’s upstate New York location can produce different travel, winter-clothing, and off-campus living costs, so include realistic expenses rather than comparing tuition alone.

Treat loans separately from grants. Federal Direct Subsidized Loans are typically preferable to unsubsidized federal loans because interest treatment is more favorable while enrolled; private loans deserve the most caution because their rates, terms, and cosigner requirements vary. A package that appears cheaper only because it includes more borrowing is not truly less expensive for your family.

Do not count work-study dollar-for-dollar as an upfront discount. It is an opportunity to earn wages through an eligible campus or community job, but hours are limited and employment is not automatic. Subtract it only if the student realistically plans to work and the expected earnings will cover personal costs rather than tuition.

If one family has had a recent income loss, medical expense, or other material change since submitting aid forms, request a financial-aid reconsideration from both schools using the same documentation.