college for average students
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Anonymous
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The last statement is typically false. Merit aid is not factored in to family contribution. It is a reduction of need based aid where need based aid exceeds merit aid. In other words if you have a merit aid of $20,000 and qualify for need based aid of $30,000 you will get $30,000. If you have same merit aid and qualify for need based aid of $10,000 (or zero) you will get $20,000. It's the greater of the 2. So merit aid of $20,000 and need based of $30,000 do not equal $50,000.
If you qualify for a lot of need based aid you are usually better off applying to the schools that don't give merit aid. Think Ivy, NESCAC. If you don't qualify for need based aid and looking for reduced cost then those won't be your cup of tea. |
Anonymous
| Except this is a post for average students, so Ivy and NESCAC don't apply so don't do that. |