<p>Hey all,
so, I need merit aid to attend some of my top colleges, most of these schools have very liberal and reasonable policies around stacking merit and need based aid. I have been in contact with admissions officers from these schools and met with them numerous times, would it be odd to e-mail them wondering about the direct qualifications for most merit awards, as a way to show interest. these adcoms know I am very interested and I was wondering if this would be a way to boost my chances at winning said merit scholarships by informing that I need them. Thanks, feel free to let me know if this is a dumb idea. </p>
<p>“most of these schools have very liberal and reasonable policies around stacking merit and need based aid.”</p>
<p>Which schools have those policies? </p>
<p>Do you mean the schools that will let you replace loans and work study with merit? Or do you mean schools that will let you keep your FA offer and then let you stack merit to reduce family contribution? I don’t know of many schools that allow that. </p>
<p>you seem to be talking about merit FROM the schools. Usually, merit is awarded FIRST, and then whatever need is left over…then aid is given. That’s not really the same as stacking.</p>