Has anyone been offered scholarships beyond the maximum listed?

<p>1) Many schools say that they offer scholarships up to a certain dollar amount. Is this always the maximum amount of merit aid that school will provide?</p>

<p>2) Also, I noticed that small LACs don't tend to have departmental scholarships. Is this true, or am I missing something?</p>

<p>3) If you have financial need and get merit aid that is less then your need-based grant, it doesn't tend to do you any good,does it?</p>

<p>I figured the answer was no. I was just hoping… :)</p>