<p>Let met clarify that I have no problem whatsoever with so-called “no merit aid, need-blind” (doesn’t exist) schools offering merit aid. I just think they should say so, and openly publicize it, make clear that it is competitive, and make clear whether it is ever available to anyone who applies ED (I doubt it, in most cases), and allow folks to understand that it may in some cases very heavily effect their loan portions and expected work contributions. </p>
<p>As for the appeals, I saw a dozen or so work, usually by having the parent fax the award package from the other school to the competitor. Miraculously, the family gets poorer!</p>
<p>Most of what I suggest is just a plea for greater transparency in the process.</p>