<p>
Uh. I know of ZERO schools that are both no-loans and do not meet full need. That would be an absurd reversal of priorities. I think you misunderstood the “category” referred to by the OP.</p>
<p>
We’re talking about schools like Swarthmore, Williams, Haverford, right? All promise (at least for this year’s admits) to meet full need with no loans. The only reason I can see for such a huge gap is a family financial circumstance that is interpreted differently by different formulas, or an extenuating circumstance that was accepted for “professional judgment” by some schools but not others. Common triggers of such: self-employment, high home equity, significant non-cash assets other than primary home, medical expenses, mid-year income change, basic support of extended family members, divorced/separated parents/stepparents, significant outside scholarships. Do any of these circumstances apply to you?</p>