<p>It sounds as if most people apply for some sort of financial aid. Is this correct? And if most people apply, do most of them receive some sort of $$$?</p>
<p>You can take a look at the USNEws &World Report Ultimate Guide and see what % of kids applied for fin aid at given colleges and what % got aid. It varies. It’ll also give you average aid numbers and form of aid for many colleges.</p>
<p>Since loans are financial aid, the number of people receiving aid can appear skewed. Sometimes people get excited when they see that a large percentage of students at a school receive aid … but the key is “need based aid.” Now, even need based aid includes loans … but the difference is that almost everyone can get a Stafford unsubsidized loan (NOT need based, but requires the FAFSA & is a federal financial aid program), regardless of need. SO it might look like the school is giving lots of folks aid … but if you, like many, don’t get too excited about unsub loans, you might not think it’s all that great. It’s important to find out what percentage of aid is actually based on need.</p>
<p>financial aid can be need based or merit based. Alot more aid given for need base and merit base is the one that’s hard to get . You gotta work your ass off for those haha.</p>
<p>I see. Thank you.</p>
<p>There is a large packet of information at our GC’s office that is filled with scholarships. Some are small – $1000 – and others are larger. Is it inappropriate to apply for more than one?</p>
<p>Not only is it appropriate … but it’s a GREAT idea! Often, few students apply for the smaller, local scholarships. My niece won 3 local scholarships. She is a strong student, but not the top of the heap. However, she applied for those scholarships & wrote thoughtful essays. Either she didn’t have a lot of competition or she just stood out for whatever reason … but she ended up with a nice chunk of money.</p>
<p>Great news! I will give it a go.</p>