<p>Hi all,
I am very very interested in applying to Colby ED, but am wondering how much this will affect the amount of financial aid I receive. I like to think that my chances are good for an ED acceptance (GPA 3.5/B+ish with a very challenging course load, plenty of clubs and sports, 29 ACT which I plan to retake and hope to get a 30+), but am worried about getting in RD, so herein lies my quandary about when to apply.
I will probably be paying a lot of the tuition myself, but at this point am thinking that I would just suck it up and pay anything since Colby is my absolute favorite.
Does any one know the average ED financial aid package? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>PS. Will it hurt me if I apply with only my ACT scores? I didn't really feel great about my SATs...they were an 1820 putting me at the very low end of Colby's spectrum.</p>
<p>Taken from the Colby Admissions website:
Percent receiving grant aid 36%
Average grant award $30,706
Average financial aid package $31,976</p>
<p>I don’t believe applying ED or RD affects the amount of fin. aid offered, rather, you don’t have the ability to “shop” for the best offer. I would suggest contacting the fin. aid office directly with any questions, the Colby administration is very accommodating and helpful to prospective students.</p>
<p>In terms of test scores, Colby accepts either the SAT, ACT, or 3 SAT subject tests, and does not discriminate based upon which it receives ([Colby</a> College | Admissions & Financial Aid | Application Instructions](<a href=“http://www.colby.edu/admissions_cs/apply_to_colby/firstyrinstructions.cfm]Colby”>http://www.colby.edu/admissions_cs/apply_to_colby/firstyrinstructions.cfm)).</p>
<p>All that being said, Colby is amazing, and if it’s definitely your 1st choice then you should definitely apply ED (regardless of any slight admissions advantage it may give you).</p>
<p>Hope that helps.</p>
<p>Very helpful, thank you!
Based on everything I’ve read everywhere (especially on here!), I’ll hopefully be headed towards the ED route. 
Thanks again!</p>
<p>Yes, the big draw back is you will not be able to compare financial aid packages
I have always found Colby to be very fair in terms of financial aid but your EFC will undoubtedly be higher then you anticipate. I found them to be very close to the on-line calculators on the College Board site</p>