Crap... potential FAFSA mistake

Paying for College
1

<p>I wasn't aware that the schools to which I sent the FAFSA are going to be able to see all the other schools I'm applying to until after I got my SAR. And it's so clear on the report that I listed my schools by preference... (Although, the schools can only see the codes, right?)</p>

<p>Ugh I'm kind of freaking out now because I don't want schools to reject me because they think they're not a top choice.... Especially since I'm going to require a LOT of aid. That gives the lower-ranked schools even LESS incentive to admit me...</p>

<p>Someone please comfort me lol. </p>

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<p>The jury is still out. See <a href=“Does order of schools on FAFSA matter? - Financial Aid and Scholarships - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1605370-does-order-of-schools-on-fafsa-matter.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>How is it so clear that you listed schools by preference?</p>

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<p>Actually, it’s not clear until you get to the last two schools. The second to last school is clearly the lowest-ranked private school on the list. The last school is my state/safety school… Is that like really bad lol?</p>

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<p>^^Only if you live in a state that asks you to put the state school first for state aid.</p>

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<p>Schools do not even start to look at FAFSA until after they have made an admissions decision. Unless you have applied either early decision or early action at an expensive private school that demands a CSS profile prior to Jan 1, no one is going to slight your chances based upon a pecking order of schools you sent financial information to.</p>

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<p>And how would a school know YOUR preferences? You are assuming everyone prefers higher ranked schools. That is not the case! </p>

<p>The vast vast majority of colleges are need blind for admissions. This means that your financial aid status, including the order of schools on your FAFSA, are NOT seen by the admissions office. And even for the need aware schools, all admissions knows is your financial need, not the order of the schools on your FAFSA.</p>

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<p>Thumper, I don’t think a vast majority of schools are need-blind for admissions. According to Wikipedia, there are about 70 schools, of which 45 also meet full financial need. And I have read other places that some schools may be looking at FAFSA order to protect yield.</p>

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<p>Daddio…the VAST majority of,colleges are need blind for admissions. VAST. The Wikipedia info has come up here in the past. It is not correct. The very vast majority of public universities are need blind for admissions…that is well over 70 right there. </p>

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<p>Thank you all! The schools can only see the codes, though, right? Because if that’s the case, then I would feel better about my situation. </p>

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<p>Daddio…nearly ALL schools are need-blind for admissions. Nearly every state school is, and many privates are. There are rather few schools that are need aware.</p>

<p>Venturalize…Admissions people aren’t the FA people.</p>