I don't understand financial aid offer of "$0"

<p>Our daughter was accepted at Clemson for the architecture program- the hard work for 4 years paid off.
Good student, 1280 SAT, top 6% of the class, 4.21 GPA, AP Stats, Calc AB/BC, Physics B, Psychology.
Financial aid package from Clemson $3500 subsidized Stafford.
Told to take a plus loan for the gap of $11500. Our EFC is $16K.
Whats going on a Clemson??
I heard they are being investigated for the student loan scam???
Anyone have more information?
Thanks</p>

<p>I'm not aware of any state school that promises to meet 100% of students' financial need.</p>

<p>Typically, public institutions give the most financial aid to in-state students, but still may not even meet 60% of students' financial need. </p>

<p>According to the U.S. News Premium College web site, the average percentage of financial need that Clemson met last year was 30 percent. The average need-based award for freshmen instate was $5,378. The average need based gift aid for freshmen instate was $3,685. The average need-based loans for freshmen instate was $3,053. The average need-based self help for instate freshmen was $3,490.</p>

<p>For out of state freshmen, the average need-based aid award was: $4,182.The other figures for them were $3,547; $4,472 and $4,221. Only 25% of out of state students had their need fully met.</p>

<p>The site doesn't indicate what percentage of needy out of state students got aid, but usually at public institutes only the very cream of the crop of out of state students get need-based aid.</p>

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For out of state freshmen, the average need-based aid award was: $4,182.The other figures for them were $3,547; $4,472 and $4,221. Only 25% of out of state students had their need fully met.

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<p>Your $3500 stafford loan would be considered need based FA :(</p>

<p>FYI: all DD received from 3 in-state publics and one out-of-state public she applied to was the $3,500 subsidized Stafford. All of the rest were privates that gave much more money in the form of scholarships and grants.</p>