<p>Even schools that meet 100% of need could be offering one student no loans and another large loans… they get to count loans and work/study jobs as “meeting need”.</p>
<p>Only the tippy-top schools have a policy of meeting full need with no loans for families under a certain income. Of course they have already declined to even consider the kids who get the “less than ideal” packages from schools a notch or two down the prestige ladder.</p>
<p>Public schools follow different rules, but at most pricey private schools, your loan and work/study compared to grant/gift aid depends on how much they want you.</p>