The concept of need is important to consider as it helps us distinguish between what is necessary for life and what is desirable. It is also used as an important factor when planning budgets and determining which expenses to prioritize. In general, needs are things that a person requires for survival, such as food and shelter, while wants are items that a person desires but does not challenge his or her ability to survive.
Unlike want, need is a more subjective word that has a strong emotional appeal and may be more effective in motivating people to take action. Need is also a more formal word that can be used in formal contexts, such as when explaining requirements and expectations.
A need is a feeling that something is missing or required: “I have a strong need to help others.” “The world has many needs.”
Need is an auxiliary verb, meaning that it takes a preposition and a present participle or a past participle: I need to clean my room, or The car needs washing. It can also be followed by a negative or interrogative statement: I don’t need to go, or You don’t need to go. It can also be followed by a verb with an auxiliary: I need to finish my work on time, or You need to complete your homework.
In the case of basic human needs, it is difficult to differentiate between what is a need and what is a want. For example, water is a need for all humans and can be considered a desire for some people. However, a person’s needs can change from one day to the next. For example, a person may need more water to stay hydrated in the summer than in the winter.
While there are many differences between needs and wants, they both have similarities. The most important difference is that a need involves a feeling of lacking something, while a want involves a desire for something. Both require a conscious effort to meet, but needs are often more urgent and essential than wants.
Need-based financial aid is available to students through grants, tuition waivers, and federal work-study programs. In addition, many private foundations and businesses offer need-based scholarships, which are usually less competitive than merit-based awards. To qualify for need-based financial aid, students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year they are in college. For some colleges, this is done during the fall of each academic year. Students should also fill out their FAFSA early, as it can take up to three weeks for the federal government to process. Once the information is received, students can expect to receive their financial aid package in the spring of their sophomore or junior year. For some schools, this can include need-based and merit-based scholarships.