<p>If I apply Early Action to a school am I more likely to get merit aid (or more merit aid) than if I just apply RD? Or the other way around? Or will it probably not matter either way?</p>
<p>Thanks :)</p>
<p>I have the same question...bummmppp</p>
<p>this is a tough one, any ideas?</p>
<p>I think you are apt to get more. For one thing they have more to give away at that point!</p>
<p>This has come up before on the boards, so you should check the archives. you also should check the web pages of the schools that you are considering. I think that at some schools -- perhaps Boston College is one -- you have to apply EA to be considered for merit aid. However, at many schools, applying ED (note: ED, not EA) actually seems to reduce one's chance of merit aid since schools don't have to compete to get you to attend.</p>
<p>I knew someone whose son got accepted ED in 2005 at a top 40ish University. At the time of sending the son his letter the son was also notified that he was receiving a Provost Scholarship (merit aid $15,700). There may be more than one Provost Scholarship awarded. But obviously, if you receive your award applying ED, that award will not be available for regulard decision applicants. </p>
<p>Nowhere on this college's web site does it disclose whether or not scholarships are awarded ED. Do most schools give their aid packages to ED candidates when acceting them ED.</p>
<p>In this case applying ED helped rather than hurt merit aid availability.</p>
<p>Most colleges say that ED and RD appliants will all receive the same consideration for financial aid.</p>
<p>From reading other posts and even talking to admissions offices, I don't think that is generally true, though maybe it is at some colleges. As someone said above and in other posts, they don't always disclose everything on their websites or in other communications.
Under the assumption that there is more money available early, we're applying EA where possible because I think it maximizes merit aid possibilities... assuming the students "credentials" are in order and they don't need that extra month or two to complete testing, try to bump up a low GPA, or squeeze in EC's that are lacking.Also of course the school should be one of the top ones on their list.</p>