<p>I've already created a discussion about this, but was not specific with my situation. All of the NPC's I've used have essentially said that the college would have to pay more in aid than I would have to in tuition (about a 5:1 ratio) mostly because I only have a single parent income and we do not have a home (we rent). Would this ruin my chances at schools that are not need blind but offer 100% need compensation? </p>
<p>I don’t see anything here that would make the answer to your question different from what you were told previously:</p>
<p><a href=“Can financial need ruin your chances of getting in somewhere? - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums”>Can financial need ruin your chances of getting in somewhere? - Applying to College - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Oh I hadn’t realized I talked about the actual numbers in my last post</p>
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<p>There’s absolutely no basis for this statement. Many schools that are “need aware” apply that criteria only when they’re nearing the end of the admissions process and are running short of funds - up until that point, they remain need blind. Other “need aware” schools presumably consider finances for all applicants. So it really depends on the school.</p>
<p>I’d guess that, in most cases. the more selective the school, the closer they are to being need blind, even if they still consider need for some applicants.</p>
<p>Yes. If your students apply to schools where need is an admissions factor and they are not tip top applicants, if your students apply to schools that do not tend meet full need and you need that to afford the school. Make sure some schools on the list are affordable and will accept your student. </p>
<p>If the place is not need blind, but meets full need at least some of the time, if you are a student that they really want, they will throw the money at you. Even NYU which is famous for gapping students right and left is also known to shell out for students that they do want.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, you aren’t going to know if you are a student that college X wants until you are admitted and receive that ginormous aid package. So, look around for places that you can afford with nothing other than federally guaranteed aid and/or guaranteed state aid and/or guaranteed-for-your-stats aid (see the thread on automatic scholarships at the top of this forum) to use as your back-up plans.</p>
<p>You are aware that a school does not HAVE to pay 5 times more than you do, right? Are you applying to schools that give generous financial aid? There are plenty of schools that might accept you but expect more from you than you are able to pay.</p>
<p>Depends really. Are you a U.S citizen? Are you an immigrant with a green card?</p>
<p>I am a us citizen. And I’m applying to colleges that all claim to provide for 100 percent of financial need</p>
<p>Which ones are need aware?</p>
<p>Do any of them require NCP info? Is your dad alive? Most schools that meet 100% of need will also want your dad’s info if he’s alive.</p>
<p>In another thread, you mention ED at Holy Cross next year. If so, then your dad’s info is req’d if alive.</p>
<p>Kcirtap, most schools in this country, by far, are need blind for admissions. That means they do not look at ability to pay when they are deciding whether to accept you are not. However, the vast, vast majority of them, also make no guarantees to meet full need, and often do not. </p>
<p>A small group of schools do guarantee to meet full need. However, one does have to be aware that not a single one guarantees to meet full need as defined by FAFSA. THey define their own need with their own formulas, and this institutional need figure is often a lot lower than the what the FAFSA need would be. Also a number of these school are need aware in admissions. As others have said, they are not usually need aware for everyone. Most of the need aware schools, do accept with not regard to need for all but the last group of applicants. Some give out figures of, say 5%, or so, as being considered on a need aware basis , but really without some consistent guidelines and more info on the process , these stats are meaningless. But, yes, if you are in that small group that is being assessed on a need aware basis, your high need can ruin your chances in some situations. </p>
<p>My recommendation is to look for some local options, some schools that you know will take you and that you know you can swing just to make sure you are not shut out. Those schools that guarantee to meet full need tend to be a selective bunch anyways, and I know many full pay kids who got rejected or WLed when applying to them. Every and any one should have safeties on the list, and one of the critiera to be a safety is that it is affordable too. </p>
<p>So looking at the big picture, of the thousands of colleges in this country that are need blind in admissions, AND are non selective in admissions, high need does not ruin ones chances of acceptance except in very few cases. But then you have to come up with the money after getting accepted and high need there, can really ruin your chances after acceptance too, if you don’t get the money. By applying to those schools that guarantee to meet full need, you are looking at a tiny niche of schools that are very different from most of the schools, and that is where the need aware for admissions schools are. They also tend to be highly selective. They also define their own need. So, yes, it is possible, in your case that high need can ruin your chances, and that’s even if you are accepted to a school that guarantees to meet 100% of need. Doesn’t help you if their definition of need and yours are very different and you can’t come up with the money to pay that difference.</p>
<p>mom2collegekids,</p>
<p>Yes, my dad is alive but I have no way to contact him. I’ve been in contact with some of the colleges which have policies and non-custodial parent form waivers to deal with the issue. Holy Cross and Trinity have waivers and others will accept a letter stating my situation to which they would reply and ask for information they would need.</p>
<p>cpt,</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply. I do have safeties on my list, but this thread is essentially addressing my reach and match schools. I’m aware that most colleges are need blind in admissions, but that is mostly due to the fact that the majority of colleges do not offer to compensate for 100% of financial need. </p>
<p>Thanks to both of you for the replies!</p>