Do finances sometimes affect merit aid awards?

cptofthehouse
Sun, 01 Feb 2009 20:51:49 +0000

We did not file any financial aid forms for our three kids. They got merit money with them. With the third, we filed FAFSA to get the unsubsidized Stafford as the interest rate is lower than the PLUS, but did not do this until he was well in the college semester.

There was only one scholarship in his group of schools that required special handling of the application and there were no questions about need in it. Two kids I know who did get that award did not file any financial aid forms. So scholarships do exist for those who have no need. However, for those kids who have very high stats and do need financial aid, there is some leeway given to them if the college really wants them. I have known kids who have gotten more than what their need was originally determined by the college.