<p>If the financial aid that you received is over the tuiton cost (let's say that the aid package covers tuition + food + books, a totally hypothetical situation), how do you actually <i>use</i> the aid? Are you reimbursed once the payments for books or food are made, or are you given the money to spend beforehand? I'm obviously a prefrosh going into MIT, and I'd like to know just how the financial aid system works for paying for things like that. Thanks so much for all of your help!</p>
<p>As far as I understand, the money will be credited to your bursar's account, and you will have to go to the Student Services Center (11-120) to pick up a check for the money.</p>
<p>I've never been in that situation, but my student loans and grants have always been credited a few weeks into the school year, so my intuition is that you'll have to pay for books yourself and then pay yourself back once the aid comes through.</p>
<p>do they offer financial aid according to what you specify on your application, should one request for financial aid,
is financial aid = scolarship?
(they being whatever university one applies to, or MIT if you know)</p>
<p>MIT offers financial aid based on need. The information they use to calculate need is included with the application.</p>
<p>In the US, a "scholarship" usually means merit-based aid; MIT and many other top universities give need-based aid only.</p>