Myth of Need Based Aid

Dls2012
Thu, 16 Aug 2012 10:46:41 +0000

I can make no representation of how much Merit money is awarded but I really thought getting in was the challenge and due to the economy and my variable income that at least during his first year we would be part of the glamorous numbers presented by the school.

I had absolutely no idea that Need Based Aid was awarded on how desirable your student was rather then true need. I guess I am naive. Nobody wants to come out and say this but it’s the fact and people should know. Additionally, the university shouldn’t be afraid of making their policies clear rather then misleading people in the hopes of getting lots of applicants and then dropping the bomb that there is no need based aid to allow them to attend. All I can figure is it’s a way to make the school appear more exclusive, run up the applications at an institute few can afford to fund and then make it look like almost everyone (80% of with need) gets a large award when the reality is that most do not get aid and they simply are unable to attend and aren’t included in the published numbers.

Honestly, this was shocking to me and I expect many schools function this way but in all my research never saw anyone bring it to light. I really think Need Based Aid may be a myth for the solid but not off the chart student with true financial need. I thought Merit aid was the reward for academic excellence but I was mistaken. This is not to say those incredibly successful students don’t deserve more money I just wish the realities were more clear to those of us in the middle class who are struggling more then we imagined 5 years ago. I also understand it’s my responsibility to pay for my child, it’s just I really wish I knew how to expose my situation to the many people who are misled like I was so that they don’t make similar mistakes and waste application fees and raise their kids hopes of attending a school they will not be able to afford. I wish I could eat my words of encouragement.