is it better to apply for it even though you dont really find the need to? (if it doesnt really affect your chances)
It depends on the college. Some are need-aware and the prospect of a limited Fin Aid pot may skew them. Others don’t care and will make offers as they see fit, w/o regard to application for Fin Aid or ability to pay.
I get the impression u think applying for FA will improve your chances of admission.
I think @mxnsndgo is worried that applying for FA will hurt his/her chances of admission, especially since it doesn’t sound like the aid is really needed or expected. And the truth is that at need-aware colleges, not applying for FA does give you a slight boost in the same way that being male does at certain schools or perhaps being the only javelin thrower from Nebraska might at others. It’s a tool that you can use, if you’re lucky enough not to truly need aid.
If you can’t afford the school then you need to apply for aid, even if it affects your admission chances. Otherwise what good is getting in and not affording it?
Adding some additonal information and clarification to above. If you are a US citizen or a permanent US resident, you can apply for need-based financial aid at any college via FAFSA. There are a number of colleges that will consider as a factor in determining admission whether you need financial aid and that could weigh against you with those, while many colleges do not consider financial need as a factor in determining admission.
The issue is different if you are international applicant. You cannot submit FAFSA and the majority of colleges, including generally public universities, do not offer need-based financial aid to internationals, and many of those will actually reject you for admission solely because you need financial aid, while others will admit you but then witdraw admission when it is determined that you are unable to pay for the first year’s cost of attendance (and unable to get an F-1 visa as a result). Also, even those colleges that offer need-based financial aid to internationals may consider that factor in determining admission, i.e., you may really need to be stellar in grades and otherwise to be admitted as an international who needs financial aid.