<p>Are most colleges blind when considering financial aid... I am applying to many upper tier schools and ivies... arent most of them.</p>
<p>I probably will not get financial aid... my parents are fairly well off. But if I put not applying to financial aid... will I not get merit based aid?</p>
<p>The state schools I have applied to, and been accepted... how do I know if they are giving me money? Do I need to apply for money... do they tell me, do they tell me when I decide to go there?</p>
<p>I am very confused about money!</p>
<p>ALSO- whats this about a fafsa or css form. Do I need to fill those about before applying... after applying? Can I get money if I dont do one of those?</p>
<p>Well, the turkey was pleasant, although she didn't say much.</p>
<p>You got several big questions which needs to broken down into small ones. But before anyone tries to answer anyone part, let me ask something of you. </p>
<p>"If you are applying to top tier schools, do you expect your competition (other students) to know more or less than you about finances? Do you think the schools expect you to know about Money? After all, $40,000/yr is a lot of money to someone. "</p>
<p>Suggest you first read "Paying for College," @ Main CC Site. then Fafsa and CSS sites. Then pick one of the school's that you are applying to "financial aid" site. And finally browse this forum. You can get most of the information you need in a couple of hours. Then come back here for more specifics. Be glad to help, but your current confusion is too general for a good answer.</p>
<p>I plan to investigate that stuff shortly... just first off a) will applying for financial aid hurt me. b) do I have to do anything moneywise before I apply.</p>
<p>I ask these because I am sending in my apps this weekend... and those are crucial questions for me. Thanks... ill research after I finsih these apps up!</p>
<p>don't know for sure. And you are looking for a definite answer. </p>
<p>On reading some of your posts, it seems to me that you are a little up tight. Relax. Slow down some. With your scores, you'd do well anywhere.</p>
<p>haha... I am a bit uptight about this stuff.. I admit</p>
<p>Im just a bit on edge, its was 6 APs, apps you are trying to get done in one night (I WILL GET THEM DONE TONIGHT), your 5th coke for the night, and a good 4 pounds of turkey will do to ya</p>
<p>Ill be much happier once this is all done!</p>
<p>Find your colleges' need-blind-or-not policy on their websites. No one can just make a blanket assumption for all of your schools. With that said, it's safe to say that the Ivies, at least, are need blind, although I personally haven't looked at ALL of them.</p>
<p>If they are need-blind, filing for finaid won't hurt. If they aren't, then...</p>
<p>FAFSA should be filled out after your parents have filed their 2005 tax returns, so not anytime this year. CSS probably around the same time. I think most colleges say ASAP after Jan1. Most deadlines I've seen are around the middle of February.</p>
<p>thanks for the help, I will def. research this stuff</p>