<p>If you check that you are applying for financial aid on the common app, does that hurt your chances for admission? I don't know if I am going to apply or not but my guidance counselor said to check it in case I do apply.</p>
<p>I'd like to know the answer to this too....</p>
<p>Many, if not most, schools are need blind. A quick look at the finaid website of the schools you're interested in or the collegeboard website will tell you if the schools are need blind. That means that needing financial aid will not hurt your chances for admission - the schools will look at people who can pay full tuition, etc just the same as those people who can contribute zero. So check the box that you're going to need financial aid. In addition there are some schools that require you fill out FAFSA and/or CSS Profile in order to receive a merit based scholarship.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>Many, if not most, schools are need blind. >></p> </blockquote>
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<p>I do not believe this is true. There are thousands of colleges and I believe the %age of need blind schools is quite small. Perhaps someone knows the exact number.</p>
<p>Actually most schools are need blind. They do not make any promises or assurances that they will meet need, and usually do not meet anywhere near 100% of need. Most state schools fall under that category, as well as most non selective schools. Where you get schools that are NOT need blind is when you get into the more selective, expensive, private schools. They do not want to accept a student that realistically cannot come up with the cost, so if the school itself is not willing to come up with what they feel is a reasonable % of the need, they will reject rather than accept you and let you figure it out. </p>
<p>What is rare are schools that are need blind AND meet 100% of need.</p>