<p>I agree that a lot of people lie about their situations. But I also suspect that Harvard et al. sometimes factor things besides need into need-based aid decisions. For example, if for some reason they really really want a particular student.</p>
<p>I mean that most people are not entirely truthful when speaking about their financial situations with others.</p>
<p>not that it is usually any of their beeswax anyway</p>
<p>I have had to gently point out to a high school student (in a group conversation about colleges and costs) that while it was admirable that her brother was accepted to Yale, that the Ivy schools give need based aid only. I didn't want the other kids, whose families had more financial resources to think that those schools cover costs for all students</p>
<p>Not only are people not truthful about their financial situations -- many times kids are not really aware of the financial circumstances of their parents, but just assume certain things.</p>
<p>I take any anecdotal information on financial aid with a huge grain of salt -- there are just too many variables and too much that people don't disclose. </p>
<p>lskinner -- true, if the school wants you badly, they sometimes "reevaluate" your need or replace loans with more grants -- but a kid with no need is not suddenly going to get a full-ride. Students who a school really wants (when we are talking Ivies) are usually heavily recruited athletes.</p>