<p>Hi,
I'm currently a senior and just yesterday found out that I got into Williamette with a $20,000 merit scholarship offer. Williamette's financial aid calculator stated that people from my family's area of annual income usually only pay an average of $14,000. Does this mean that we will receive less financial aid, or does it mean that my family will receive an additional $6000?</p>
<p>First, congratulations on your acceptance and scholarship. </p>
<p>Averages mean NOTHING when it come to need based financial aid. YOUR need based award will be based on YOUR family’s income and assets.</p>
<p>I don’t believe Willamette guarantees to meet full need for all students. </p>
<p>Truthfully, it’s impossible for us to predict if you will get additional money from that college.</p>
<p>You might post this on the Williamette site and see what has happened to others. But you probably just have to wait for your full FA package to see. Congratulations! :)</p>
<p>Williamette will consider that $20k as part of your financial aid. Later on, when it determines your “need”, it may give you more aid if your need hasn’t been met.</p>
<p>How much does the school cost? Your questions are ambiguous.</p>
<p>If your EFC will be about $14k, and Williamette will provide the difference up to COA, then the 20k is part of that. The rest may be a loan, work study, and/or a grant. </p>
<p>What do you mean by “will my family get less FA”? $20k in merit will be part of the FA.</p>