<p>I know this is more related to financial aid, but I was hoping that some of you who don't/don't need to visit that forum could help.</p>
<p>I am very confused with financial aid. Considering that I can assume I'll get nothing, getting as many scholarships as possible would be advantageous in my case right? I've heard that it reduces your grants and then your loans. But this is only for people who will actually get fin. aid. Since I will get very little, the more outside money I get the better right? I know this is very ignorant of me, but I don't quite understand and my parents aren't as current as some of you. My sister didn't receive any money, so my parents have assured me neither will I. Which I've pretty much known all along. I really haven't been as on this scholarship search as I should have been earlier, things have just been hectic. But I'm starting to jumpstart now. Thank you.</p>
<p>never assume anything! I know a brother and sister of upper-middle class parents, let's say $250k income. Both applied to the state U 2 years apart. Both applied for fin aid through the standard U process. Sis had a 4.0 and got zilch in fin aid. Brother had a 2.5 and got a full ride! Why? He's an engineering major and the school only has a few of those and wanted more! </p>
<p>celebrian - baseballmom is correct. You've put lots of hard work into your academic career to date, so any efforts you put into scholarship and financial aid applications will be comparatively small. So go ahead and do that. As to your specific questions, need-based financial aid is based on family finances rather than the number of children in college. If the family EFC is $37,500 and there are two in college then the EFC for each is theoretically half the family EFC, and you may qualify for need-based aid. That aid may be in the form of a loan, and in that instance any outside scholarship money you receive may simply reduce the amount of the loan. Still, a smaller loan is preferable to a larger loan, right?</p>