I have kept out a couple CSS Profile/100% Meet Need schools – but only because they either have a “perfect” program (on paper, at least) for my son, or there are other factors (such as room & board with a relative or friend) which could help. Most of the CSS Profile/100% meet need schools do not offer Merit Aid, partly because they have so many qualified applicants. We (my son and I) have a limited amount of time to deal with applications and financial aid, so our time has to be weighed against the likelihood of exceptions being made. We aren’t applying to UC schools for similar reasons (minimal aid available for OOS). With (currently) 26 schools being on our further research list, and 20 schools still to do an initial investigation, I feel like my son has plenty of choices without extra hoops for financial aid (at the moment) We will be spending the next 11 months narrowing this list down through both internet research, departmental, administration and financial aid emails, final test scores/possible NMQ level and see where we land for some school visits next year. Just really thankful that my son is more wed to the idea of attending a school with a solid program for little to no debt than he is a particular school.