<p>Even though there are stated academic criteria for the awards, it does not mean everyone who meets those criteria will get the maximum. They still award the top $$ to the top students. The lessor amount awarded still meets their stated goal of giving $$ to all who do meet the stated criteria, though.</p>
<p>The requirement for the CSS and FASA is to make sure that the need based dollars are met, though, they may decide to trade off to attract the student profiles they want. They really can distribute the merit $$ anyway they wish.</p>