<p>When a prospective school says they meet 100% of financial need, it means COA minus EFC equals to financial need. And the school will meet it with a combination of loans, grants, scholarships, or work study. Dont be surprised that they offer to meet your needs with all loans. Also, certain schools offers a package with no loans if your families income is below a certain level, usually 60,000. Always read the school financial aid profile or ask them directly.</p>
<p>Here’s the list from last year of the 60+ schools that meet full need. </p>
<p>[Colleges</a> That Claim to Meet Full Financial Need - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2012/02/16/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need]Colleges”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2012/02/16/colleges-that-claim-to-meet-full-financial-need)</p>
<p>I don’t believe there are any schools in this list that would consider meeting full need by packaging a student ENTIRELY with ALL loans (ie, filling the gap with a huge PLUS loan).</p>
<p>Most meet-full-need schools from this list will package a student first with the Stafford Loan and Work Study (usually about $7500) and then fill the rest with grant money. There are a handful of these most generous schools that have eliminated loans as well. As always, check each school individually to find out their packaging policies.</p>