Dynamics of Grants and Institutional Scholarships?

Posting this here vs new thread as I got lucky with feedback from some of the more experienced folks on CC.

Part of our final decision (see http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/2074289-may-1-deadline-logistics.html) will also be our understanding/communicating to DD impacts of difference between aid packages.

Reed

Sub Loan $0.0
Un Sub Loan $5.5
Work Study $1.8

Wes
Sub Loan $3.5
Un Sub Loan $0.0
Work Study $2.8

Haverford

Sub Loan $2.5
Un Sub Loan $0.0
Work Study $2.0

Oberlin
Sub Loan $3.5
Un Sub Loan $2.0
Work Study $2.7

Net cost is about the same, O is 4k more (we will try to work on that)

If subsidized loans are awarded based on need, Is there an advantage to choosing a school that seems to value our need higher?

@thumper1 will love this question… Is there anything “different” about Reed that has 5.5 un-sub and Hav which has 2.5 subsidized, 0 un-sub? I assume it is just the natural outcome of formulas that do not see a need. Which would indicate to me there is an advantage to a school that sees need.

Any favorite loan calculator out there to illustrate these sorts of things?

*Actual they included $24 here, not sure what is up with that?!