<p>RIG grants don’t reduce need because you can’t apply it towards the cost your tuition and room & board. </p>
<p>RIGs are one-time grants that can be used only for research related expense. (Summer salary when working at unpaid research, special program tuition, research-related travel costs–to a foreign site or to a conference, for example, reseach materials or something similiar.)</p>
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<p>If by loans, you mean can you decline student Staffords? You can and it shouldn’t penalize you in future years. Staffords are federal government guaranteed. The award of Staffords must follow federal guidelines. Your student can always take out the full annual amount in UNsubsidized Staffords (assuming you file a FAFSA) whether you have demonstrated need or not. To receive subsidized Staffords, you must have demonstrate need.</p>
<p>If by student loans, you mean Perkins loans–the answer is probably. Funding for Perkins loans is very limited and the amount available at the university level changes from year to year.</p>