<p>Hey, just a quick question I've had for the longest time. Would applying for financial aid lower one's chance for a college? If you want specifics, like Columbia, Brown, Duke, etc.?</p>
<p>Depends on the school’s policy. If it is need blind, then the financial aid office has no contact with the admissions office during the admissions process.</p>
<p>Columbia, Brown, and Duke are all need-blind (for US domestic applicants).</p>
<p>[Columbia</a> University Office of Undergraduate Financial Aid and Educational Financing - Financial Aid at Columbia](<a href=“http://www.studentaffairs.columbia.edu/finaid/eligibility/philosophy.php]Columbia”>How Aid Works | Columbia Financial Aid and Educational Financing)</p>
<p>[Brown</a> Adopts Need-Blind Admissions Rule - The New York Times](<a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/24/us/brown-adopts-need-blind-admissions-rule.html]Brown”>http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/24/us/brown-adopts-need-blind-admissions-rule.html)</p>
<p>[Duke</a> Financial Aid | Frequently Asked Questions | General Financial Aid Questions](<a href=“Homepage | Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support”>Homepage | Karsh Office of Undergraduate Financial Support)</p>
<p>i would say YES, unless of course it is need-BLIND
it affects BIG time</p>
<p>well if you look at the tufts and bowdoin thread those are two competitive schools that just ended need-blind admissions for thier remainin applicants so as it was already mentioned it depends on the school. The economy is killing endowments right now and even the best school are taking hits.</p>
<p>I would say that, in most cases, it will affect admissions in some way, especially when the bad economy is negatively affecting every school in some way. Many of the top schools apparently have a need-blind policy (only for U.S. citizens mostly), and while it is only right to believe they will fully uphold this policy, you never know if they might sneak a peak. I have my doubts even when the school says its 100% need-blind; 99% is probably a more definite answer. Either way, don’t let your need for financial aid deter you from applying to your favorite schools. Top schools like the ones you listed usually always try to make it reasonably affordable for its students to attend.</p>