"Now, your point about applying to schools where merit aid is not need based is a real eye-opener. Dummy me, I assumed ALL merit aid was need-blind. If need is a factor for merit aid, IMO, it should be called "need-based" aid."
Just wait until you start applying for scholarships and fine how FEW you are eligible for. My H and I make about $100, but have been voracious savers so qualify for squat. (no issues with this as far as schools are concerned.)
What DOES bug me however, are the families who make MUCH more than we do whose kids are "eligible" for need based community scholarships because of the lifestyle choices they have made. The daughter of a local plastic surgeon got a community award that supposedly was for financially needy students. And she is going to a state university!!!! My daughter did not even apply, with double the tuition. Oh Well. (ok.. enough rant for a Thursday morning.)
