<p>Someone posted a very good explanation of how it generally works in this recent thread: see the link in the first answer
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1606445-how-do-schools-decide-how-much-your-need-theyll-meet.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1606445-how-do-schools-decide-how-much-your-need-theyll-meet.html</a></p>