<p>I agree that all loan and work study packages are hardly what one can call meeting full need, but it is done all of the time by many illustrious schools. If you have need that can be wholly met by the Staffords and work study with a small grant thrown in, that 's all you’re going to get from a lot of schools. Many of the ones who don’t stick loans in the package for high need kids or cap them will stuff packages for those with low but some need kids unless they are highly desireable. </p>
<p>What is particularly concerning about this practice is that 1) kids are getting a lot more than the Stafford limits each year in loans without even going to private loans 2) Kids whose families can just afford a school according to the EFC and other calculators are getting their Staffords and work hours used up by financial aid leaving them little leeway to help with the family EFC. I’m seeing an awful lot of packages with over $8K of self help in them. Bear in mind that the family still has to come up with the EFC. </p>
<p>I saw a package on the board here that included $5K of Perkins loans. I always thought those were loans that were supposed to to those who are the most needy. I also never saw an amount that big, and the full Staffords were also included in the package. That’s over $10K in loans freshman year.</p>