<p>My family is lower middle class, and the only way I can afford to go to college is if I stay at home and go to either state or a CC, or go to a private school that is generous with financial aid (which I'd obviously prefer). </p>
<p>I've heard Santa Clara is stingy with their money--is this true in your experience? My GPA is MUCH higher than their average, but my SAT'S are only a little bit above average. Am I just wasting my time here? I love this school, so I'm hoping applying early will show them that.</p>
<p>It's not that SCU is "stingy"...the simply don't have the endowment monies to meet full need for all students who apply. To be honest, I'm don't think your aid will be higher if you apply EA. They do have merit aid in addition to need based aid, but that merit aid is typically awarded to students accepted with distinction. </p>
<p>If you want to apply and see, go ahead. There is no way to predict your financial aid award fully accurately as they don't meet full need. </p>
<p>I would suggest that you apply early, get the Profile done meeting the priority deadline, and get the FAFSA done ASAP after Jan 1. As I recall, DD (who got accepted EA) also heard about her financial aid sooner than if she had waited until a later date.</p>
<p>I have heard they are generous to those admitted "with distinction"; but don't know what standards are for that.
Otherwise according to USNWR, they met full need for 72% of students and 70% was the average need met. So some people are getting aid; but not everyone.</p>