financial aid and school prestige

<p>I have low gpa (3.1) and relatively high SAT score (1940). Since I dont qualify for a lot of merit scholarships based on my gpa, should I aim lower and apply to 3rd tier schools to get that (very) important scholarship?</p>

<p>That is really hard to answer. Apparently you believe that you don't qualify for any financial aid? Most financial aid is based on financial need, have you considered you need? Perhaps you are unaware of the difference btwn Merit and Need Based Aid. Could that be?</p>

<p>Your post actually led to another question: Does need based aid (demonstrated by my FAFSA form) differ from school to school?</p>

<p>Even I'm confused by my original post so I'll just ask this: What schools might offer me the most aid?</p>

<p>here are my stats</p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=101055%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=101055&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>add secretary of sports reporters club to EC's + im retaking the SAT on Saturday to increase my 1230 verbal + math</p>