<p>I think it is awesome that your family earns $400K a year, and what is really awesome is that you, obviously, have not rested on their laurels. Your stats indicate that you are a hard worker, yourself, and, if you stay on your current path, you are going to be a success in life (which, of course, does not mean you have to end up earning $400K to be a success.)</p>
<p>As far as merit aid, yes the trend has been towards need-based aid forever - the whole intent of “financial aid” was to open access to college to poor students. Now, everybody is looking for their piece of the financial aid pie, and only some people get a slice. If your parents earned 25% of what they do, you would be in the same boat - only eligible for merit aid. Your parents’ taxes go to fund need-based for other families’ kids.</p>
<p>Anyway, I hope you can pursue additional opportunities given your stats. And don’t let yourself get discouraged by people who may think you don’t deserve any aid, whether merit or need-based, just because of your family’s income. Envy is the other great American pursuit. We just cannot let everyone pursue their own happiness without focusing on whether one person is getting more happiness (defined as money, in this society) than somebody else. Just leave all that in the noise, and focus on your own pursuits. Congratulations and best wishes.</p>