<p>Everyone on this board says that one should apply to ED only if money is not an issue. But is it worth the risk to apply to ED <i>knowing</i> for sure that you <i>will</i> get financial aid? My family’s total yearly income is <$40,000. That’s not a lot.</p>
<p>The question is if you'll get ENOUGH financial aid, really. Contact the admissions office at Brown, they'll tell you what aid is offered and how they award it.</p>
<p>FA packages can vary greatly among schools. You would think that with the same info the awards would be within dollars of each other and that is not the case. My D received offers varying in the thousands of dollars. She applied RD. The Brown FA office makes it clear that they will re-evaluate in light of other offers from Ivies, Stanford and MIT. Within 24 hours of receiving the award info from another IVY they increased her Brown FA packages. She is now a third year and I have found working with FA to be a delight. I really think FA applicants should not apply ED - it gives them no option of negotiating.</p>
<p>I second 2collegemom. Brown's FA is known to be a little parsimonious.</p>
<p>I guess it comes down to whether or not you think applying ED is worth the advantage and extra pull for admissions. 2collegemom's point is something you should consider, though, because it sounds like you'd get a better deal (presuming you get into multiple Ivies).</p>