Dartmouth ED International Financial Aid

Colleges and Universities A-Z Dartmouth College
1

Hi, I am an international applicant days away from applying to Dartmouth ED. Don’t know if I’ll get in, but here goes.

Since Dartmouth is really expensive, I’m planning on filling out the CSS Profile and applying for need-based FA. What I’m concerned about, though, is how much they are going to give me.
Dartmouth says they meet 100% of demonstrated financial aid. What if the school’s judgment of what I have “demonstrated” in my FA application and my family’s judgment of what I need to study abroad at Dartmouth are different? If I make my case on these grounds, will they release me from the ED contract?
Also, do I need to state my intent to enroll based on the estimated aid figures that are released along with the admissions decision? Do those figures usually change for the actual package?

Also, on a slightly different note: is the ED agreement binding even if I take a “gap year” and apply to colleges during the next admissions cycle?

2
  1. As an international student, your ability to pay will be a factor in whether or not Dartmouth admits you.
  2. Ed is binding, that in exchange for an early decision, if admitted, you will attend. If there is a problem with the financial aid, you have the opportunity to withdraw, but you will not know if you will get a better package from another school where again, your ability to pay will be a factor in the admissions process.
  3. The school must approve your gap year. If they do, this means that you cannot apply to other schools or you must give up your seat at Dartmouth to do so. They live by the honor code, so if you were to apply to another school they would rescind your admission with a quickness.