<p>So my family isn't rich. And we are applying for FinAid, BUT my parents are willing to pay in full if we are not granted aid. I know many colleges say they are need blind, but sometimes it just comes down to who will pay, and who won't. I don't know how to express that we are willing to pay, but we still wish to be considered for aid.</p>
<p>You really can’t have it both ways. Apply for aid and hope for the best.</p>
<p>If they are “willing” to pay then there must be some “ability” to pay as opposed to families who simply couldn’t make it happen without aid. It may be that you guys won’t qualify for much anyway. Still, if it’s a hardship for your family the you should apply (and really, when some schools are talking 50+grand you’ll hardly be alone.)</p>
<p>You might look at the numbers of financial aid recipients at the schools you are interested in. You might be surprised at the high numbers.</p>
<p>Oh yeah e have the ability to pay without complete hardship, but aid would really help us out.</p>
<p>You apply for aid.</p>
<p>The colleges will determine for themselves based on your financial aid applications whether or not they believe that you are eligible for any aid, and they will award whatever it is that they see fit to award you. Truth be told, most places have precious little money to hand out. The likelihood of your family needing to cover all of the costs of your education is pretty good.</p>
<p>The number of institutions that do not admit students who they believe cannot afford to attend without aid is very small. Unless you know for a fact that one or more of the places your list follow that practice, you really have nothing to worry about.</p>