creepingdeath666

If I intend to apply for need-based financial aid at a need-blind university, should or can I still apply for outside scholarships e.g. "born on the fourth of july" $1000 scholarship (non-existent) or some essay scholarship thing by NSHSS (I am a member).

Wouldn't it be better if the school I was applying to met 90% of my need, and I can still pay for the remaining 10% out of these extra scholarships? Or will the university not allow this?

Thank you.

thumper1

In almost all cases, outside scholarships must be reported to your college and will actually reduce your need. If your need is less, the college will reduce the aid it gives you using their policies.

happymomof1

There also is every possibility that the college's notion of what you need is will be different from what your family thinks it is. Depending on the scholarship pay-out rules, and the college's aid policy, that scholarship might be to your advantage. For example, if outside money can be used to replace loans in your aid package, then you could use a student loan to help cover part of what your family needs to pay.

Apply for that scholarship. You aren't going to know your aid packages until April or May, and when you do have those aid offers in hand, that scholarship might make a difference.

mom2collegekids

If a school meets LESS THAN your determined need, then outside scholarships will usually get applied to that need.

So, if need is determined to be $30k, but you're only given $20k, then an outside scholarship of $5k would cut that gap.


Even if a school meets 100% of need, if you get an outside scholarship then often the school will apply that to "self help" (loans and work study) which is also a good thing.

If a school meets 100% of need without loans or work study, then the school will likely reduce some of its grants.