<p>Prospies, here's an article about "need awareness" policies at LACs.</p>
<p>Colleges</a> Where Need for Aid Can Hurt Admission Odds - US News and World Report</p>
<p>In the chart below, it also shows Smith at the top of LACs for Pell Grant acceptances, a fairly well-known fact. </p>
<p>Hang on, ladies, just about 48 hours now!</p>
<p>So, I have a rather low EFC, but I got a STRIDE…so I take it they will do everything they can to meet my need because I’m a highly desired applicant? Is that fair to guess?</p>
<p>I was wondering that, too. My EFC is beyond what we can afford (by anywhere from $12,000 to $17,000). As a STRIDE recipient, do I have any additional leverage in the process? And how generous is Smith if an applicant calls and begs for additional aid?</p>
<p>Oh no, I just want to be clear, I don’t expect MORE than my EFC, just for them to meet my EFC with no gap</p>
<p>I know. I’m just adding my question in on top of that along with your question about how much the STRIDE will influence their desire to meet need.</p>
<p>Rocket6louise and phanatic, I’m sorry but I don’t have answers for your questions. Time will tell for each of you. All I can tell you is that, of all the LACs my daughter applied to, Smith with the STRIDE was financially the best offer she got. I can’t remember right now what our EFC was, but no college ever met it. For our daughter, all the other financial aid need-based offers were significantly less, so clearly the other LACs have their own way of configuring need that was different from our expectations. It may be that our family financial circumstances were such that Smith couldn’t give us much need-based aid (just like the other LACs) but they wanted to make sure they could make her a really attractive offer, so they gave her a STRIDE. If that was their strategy, it certainly succeeded!! I know you’re on pins and needles, but just breathe deeply!</p>
<p>Thanks for any info!!! I’m just trying not to PANIC!!!</p>
<p>^Same here. I’m definitely trying not to panic at this point, and not necessarily succeeding! </p>
<p>Thank you, CarolynB, for what you were able to offer us. I appreciate it!</p>