<p>On the common data set there are two areas that are confusing me. This is from the Carnegie Mellon CDS.</p>
<p>Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans): $5,785</p>
<p>and</p>
<p>Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan: $3,637</p>
<p>Does the $5,785 include the $3,637?? If not, what makes up each amount?</p>
<p>It reads to me that the average self help (which can be things like WS and subsidized federal loans - not sure if student contributions count as part of the self help “award”) is $5785 of which an average of $3637 may be a subsidized loan if the person has been awarded a subsidized loan. </p>
<p>Remember that the averages are fairly meaningless. If I have $100,000 and you have $2, our average is $50,001. You still only have $2. Whatever the average is, it does not mean you will get that. may be more or less, depending on your individual circumstances as viewed by the school.</p>