<p>Topic question.</p>
<p>Also, does this have a stronger influence in UC's(california resident) or private schools, if any influence.</p>
<p>If there is any chance that you might need aid during the time you would be studying at this place, you would have to be a complete fool to not apply for aid when you apply for admission. Think of it this way: what is the point of getting in, if you can’t go there because you flat out can’t afford it.</p>
<p>The phrase “need-blind admissions” means that applying for fin aid will not be a factor in the admissions decision. If a school is not need blind–very few are–it would be reasonable to infer that fin aid status might affect the decision, although generally schools want the best students they can get. The most likely situation for financial aid impacting admission is with wait-listed students at private schools. Sometimes they just run out of fin aid resources and look for students that can pay.</p>
<p>Ranka, for instate students at the UCs, not asking for financial aid will not give you a boost in admissions. If you are UC-eligible, you are guaranteed a spot - whether you apply for aid or not.</p>
<p>For out-of-state, there is no boost to admissions, but because of the limited financial aid offered to out of state students and the higher oos cost, actually attending the UC after being accepted might be impossible. I think some cc posters call that “admit/deny.”</p>
<p>For privates, you need to look up each school’s policy.</p>
<p>One way to look at it is that the college gets the money - whether it comes from savings, grants, trusts, subsidies, work study, student loans, or parent loans. So most colleges try and admit the best possible class need blind … some private colleges may factor in your “all cash offer to attend” to boost their yields.</p>
<p>Do keep in mind, though, that need blind admissions does not always mean that you will be offered a sufficient financial aid package to attend. Some schools are notoriously stingy about the financial aid they give, and you probably want to stay away from those schools whether or not they consider financial need.</p>