In this episode of The Old College Try, host Matt Carpenter sits down with Rob Franek, Editor-in-Chief of The Princeton Review, to reveal the top colleges that give the most financial aid in 2025. They break down how schools like Washington & Lee, Princeton, Vanderbilt, and BYU make college more affordable — and why the sticker price rarely reflects the real cost.

Learn the difference between need-based and merit-based aid, discover hidden scholarships, and get insider advice on how families can maximize financial aid and lower college costs. Whether you’re a parent, student, or counselor, this conversation is packed with practical college affordability insights you can use right now.

Episode Highlights:

• How The Princeton Review ranks the best colleges for financial aid

• Why a $90,000 sticker price might actually cost $20,000

• The truth about need-based vs. merit aid

• How elite schools like Princeton and Amherst handle financial need