<p>theatre mom – “Your detailed description of the process at your school (thanks) gives the impression that need can matter a lot at your school.”</p>
<p>I am not sure how much that is the case. However, I believe that only some of the university merit grants are tied specifically to financial need, and for those many other factors come into play as well. They do offer non-need based merit awards. Although it is a VERY competitive process. </p>
<p>Of course a financial aid package (with loans, etc…) will be tied to student need. Students who want to be considered for need based financial aid must file a FAFSA. As is the case at most schools.</p>
<p>alwaysamom is spot on about the intricacies of financial aid 
– “There are so many permutations at the various schools, it’s impossible to make too many even semi-definitive statements about how the process works.”</p>
<p>I think that most university websites are pretty clear about what freshman scholarship programs are available.</p>