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The Insider: Your Expert Guide to College Admissions -
Applying for Financial Aid

What Does Your Financial Aid Award Letter Mean?

scholarship award

What Does Your Financial Aid Award Mean?

Grants A financial aid award letter can come with a lot of conflicting emotions:  excitement, disappointment, and, more often than not, confusion.  There is little uniformity among award letters, so comparing offers between schools often feels like comparing apples and oranges.  If you want to be a discerning consumer, you need to understand the differences between three main types of aid — grants & scholarships, loans, and work study — and understand which questions to ask about each.  It’s important to compare apples with apples and ascertain which college will provide your family the best value:

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March 30, 2012by Shannon Vasconcelos

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The Insider: College Admissions Advice from the Experts is where College Coach experts weigh in on the latest college admissions topics. We cover everything from application timelines and strategies to tips on financing your child's education.

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