<p>Yes, it makes sense to apply to many colleges so you compare many aspects, including merit and need based aid. </p>
<p>Many people have reported on this website that they would have preferred to go to UVa, but another college offered them a ton of merit aid, and UVa did not. UVa often is able to offer need based aid that is equal to the most generous colleges, but it does not attempt to match merit offers. </p>
<p>Many colleges use merit based aid very strategically to bring up their average test scores. Most of those colleges that offer the largest amounts of merit aid do not meet 100% of need.</p>