Early Action/ Financial Aid Conundrum

Paying for College
1

<p>Hi, all. :)</p>

<p>I'm currently applying to a number of schools and seem to have come across a dilemma. I've heard from some sources that applying Early Decision traps you with a financial package regardless of its amount. Does the same apply with Early Action applications or can I alternate between packages/ scholarships if I so desire?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

2

<p>Early action is NOT binding. You get an early acceptance (or not) but you do not have to accept the offer of admission until May 1. You can compare financial aid packages between schools and then make your decision. </p>

<p>DD applied to two EA schools, and one rolling school and one deadline school. She made her decision on April 29th after reviewing all of the acceptances. </p>

<p>Early DECISION is different in that if you are accepted, you are supposed to withdraw all other pending applications AND accept the offer of admittance if you receive one…immediately. You don’t wait until May 1…and you don’t HAVE any other acceptances to compare as you have withdrawn your other applications.</p>

3

<p>So I get to apply and still choose between financial packages and schools with EA, right?</p>

4

<p>yes (10 characters)</p>

5

<p>Cool, thanks for the help. :)</p>

<p>Also, character limits make me lawl.</p>

6

<p>“I’ve heard from some sources that applying Early Decision traps you with a financial package regardless of its amount.”</p>

<p>This is false. If the FA offer is not enough to support attendance, you say thanks but no thanks, and apply elsewhere RD. Here is the rule:

<a href=“https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf[/url]”>https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/docs/downloadforms/ED_Agreement.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;