Question about financial aid

I was recently accepted to Northeastern with a 20k/yr Dean’s Scholarship, but that does not bring the per year cost anywhere near where I need it to be. Using College Board’s net price calculator, I found that my estimated per year price using only need-based aid would be about 30k/yr. How does my merit scholarship factor into that 30k/yr value?

I think you will have to wait to see what they give you. Since Northeastern now meets need I believe that puts you at a k EFC. Usually merit replaces need aid and you still pay your EFC, unless the merit aid exceeds the need aid then your merit will start to replace your EFC.

@BrownParent So if I qualify for more than 20k need-based aid then my merit scholarship means nothing?

@midcollegehskid I had a similar question. It seems odd that merit aid would only really be an advantage for students wealthy enough to pay for Northeastern as it stands. Sort of nonsensical, unless Northeastern simply uses merit aid to recruit the smarter wealthier students.

That is the way merit aid works at all schools that offer it.