How Scholarships May Affect a Student's Aid Package

Students and their families may wonder how private scholarship (non-institutional awards) affect a student's aid package. 

Many students who receive private scholarships also receive federal and state student aid (federal and state grants, student loans, and work-study) and institutional grants.  It's possible that a student who obtains a private scholarship may have their aid package adjusted. 

If the student's total financial need:

Has been met, the college is required to reduce any need-based award.  Some colleges try to reduce the self-help portion (student loans and work-study); others reduce the institutional grant, especially if they've awarded the grant to help meet the student's financial need.

Hasn't been met, private scholarships may be used to satisfy the remaining need.  Since many colleges are unable to meet a student's total financial need, a student's aid package may not be affected.