Financial aid can change a lot depending on where you apply to school. Some schools have more money than others, and can afford to give students more. Generally, the big state schools and the top tier universities have the most money to award students, so if you think you'll need financial aid, that's the way to go.

Financial aid is money that a school awards students based on how much your family can afford to pay for school. You fill out some forms, and they see how much you can pay, and then they give you scholarships and loans or a job to help make up for what you can't pay. it's really helpful actually.