<p>Can somone tell me the difference between Early action and Early decision</p>
<p>You might just want to Google "early action early decision", but the biggest difference is that Early Decision acceptances carry a binding commitment to enroll at that school. Applying ED means you absolutely, positively want to attend that school, period. If you are uncertain, don't apply ED. If you don't know that you can afford the school without financial aid, do not apply ED. Instead apply Regular Decision to keep your options open.</p>
<p>Basically what the person above me said..</p>
<p>Early Decision is a binding commitment which is tough to get out of, and Early Action is just an earlier deadline by which to apply</p>
<p>Does applying Early Action affect an applicant's financial aid package?</p>
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Does applying Early Action affect an applicant's financial aid package?
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<p>This question needs context. It depends on the college, in all likelihood. Financial aid is given in the form of scholarships, grants, loans and work-study programs. Some forms of financial aid are institutional (i.e., offered through the college that has accepted you for admission) and others are federal/state (i.e., offered through federal or state programs, such as the Federal Pell grants). </p>
<p>You will need to ask each college. Many of the elite colleges/universities will tell you that applying ED/EA will not affect your financial aid package, but if you have been accepted ED, you will not have the option to make comparisons. EA is different -- you are not bound to any commitment to that college. In most cases, it should NOT affect your financial aid package. Notwithstanding that there are some standardized financial aid application forms (FAFSA and CSS Profile), each college has its own financial aid philosophy and practices. Even when colleges have similar criteria for financial aid (i.e., "need blind admissions" and "meeting 100% of demonstrated need"), their execution of practices can vary greatly. </p>
<p>The best thing you can do is to study each college you are interested in and drill down into all the categories that merit analysis, e.g., academic programs, college life, and yes, financial aid. Know your own requirements and compare those needs against a college's ability to meet them.</p>