<p>Do ED applicants who get accepted have the better aid package in comparision with the RD accepted student? That is, because you get accepted ED and since it is a contract in which is very difficult to revoke unless you can absolutely not afford the college, does the Financial Aid Office give the necessary money to help you pay for college? I hope someone whos been accepted ED and had to ask for more money can answer this.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>The down side to applying ED is that you do not get to compare packages. Having your needs met is a relative thing. I think the real question is how are your needs met. Theoretically a school can offer your parents a plus loan and state that they have met your needs. The school, not you decides your need.</p>
<p>I know in our house the ability to compare and then negotiate really paid off. Daughter still ended up at her first choice school and we got a better package because we were able to comparison shop and ask for what we needed. She was accepted to 7 need blind, meet 100% of your demonstrated need (which they all did) schools. There was a difference of $12,000 (after you factored in the amount of grant aid, loans, efc, work study, etc) between the "best" and the "worst" package.
Keep in mind that many schools do not negotiate offers (wes and brown come to mind as they pretty much live and die by their packages).
Many times a school will allow you to back out of your ED offer to attend your local public university. In your case as an international student, if you can't fill your part, you will not be able to obtain your visa in order to come study. IMHO you may have shut your self out of the process. </p>
<p>So if money is an issue and you need to compare offers, then you should apply RD.</p>
<p>Is this also the case for EA schools, ie. its better to apply RD for good aid?</p>
<p>IF you apply EA, it is not binding, you still have until May 1 (common reply date) to give in a decision and you can still compare packages with RD schools (possibly negotiate if you need to).</p>